Buc-ee's Fuel Nightmare

[Golden_Otto_Bus]

Hey gang,

So, a few weeks ago we stopped at the new Buc-ee's north of Denver on our trip to Montana. We have a 30' Bluebird with a 24V Cummins Diesel. We have a 60 gallon fuel tank and were about half empty. I topped it off with their 'diesel' and headed north. Within 5 miles on the interstate the 'Service Engine Soon' light came on and we lost power. Dropped down to a scary 35 mph up several of the hills. We barely made it to Cheyenne and got off the highway. We had to call a mobile diesel mechanic who came out to the bus.

He checked the engine computer and went over some diagnostics and inspection. He took off the fuel cap and asked me to smell it. I said it smelled kind of like gas and he did too. We limped it to their shop and decided to empty the entire fuel tank. They were too busy to change out the fuel filters so I did that the next morning after sleeping on the side of the street.
The garage manager said they had 5 or 6 others who had come through with the same issues. My guess is Buc-ee's has been so busy that someone accidentally filled the underground diesel tanks with gas.

We got back on the road and continued to have the problem off and on during the next 8 hours. Seemed to get better but still showing up. We were on I70 east in Colorado yesterday and the light came on along with power drops. This has been after multiple fuel tank fills along with putting in several additives to clean things up.

Buc-ee's does not have a phone number. Ugh. The national line says just to fill out their web form, not even an email address available! We have already spent over $900 on it and I think I need to take it to a mechanic for a possible fuel pump or other. I filled out their online forms but no response of course. I put in a complaint to the BBB and also the Colorado Attorney General. Sure would be nice at least to talk to someone at Buc-ee's and figure this out.

Do folks think we may need another fuel pump? Other?

Thanks in advance!

J

PS I tried to post this a earlier but think it didn't stick as it thought I was logged out. Hopefully this post isn't doubled up.

 

[ewo1]

I would replace the fuel filter again. If you have a secondary water separator, drain it. Top off with fresh fuel and do a 20-50 mile drive and see if it gets better.

 

[mmoore6856]

document everything and get a lawyer

 

[turf]

too bad about your experience. go ahead and keep documenting stuff, but i'd look elsewhere to your issues.

after multiple tanks, i think you'd have it cleared out. i wouldnt put any cleaner in it, if it was gas, your injectors are clean, now.

keep changing filters. check your overflow bypass valve. double check the fuel delivery system. mine broke and it it was similar to a filter problem.

i have no idea, but i'm doubting your gas theory. i watched a video recently where they added gas to the diesel just to see what happens....i think it ran fine, i dont recall. if you see any of the cleetus mcfarland vids, they did this 2 weeks ago?

idk

good luck!!
let us know what you find out.

 

[Ronnie-SKO]

I had this problem many years ago at a BP station. Drained the gas and put it in my little Toyota pickup and it ran fine, so certainly not diesel. My Cummins would not run on the gas, my tank was very low when I filled it. I did go back to the station and checked the fuel pump i used and indeed it was gas not diesel as marked. The station attendent did not want anything to do with it. Because I had a can of diesel with me I was able to empty the tank, and to put enough fuel in to get it running and went to another fuel station to refill. So did not mess with BP.



However about a 1000 miles later the injection pump failed. Now I went after BP, but no go again. What I did not do was to save the "gas" and have it tested. They said if I had tested a sample right away they would have paid for the injection pump, as well as the fuel.



Did you test the fuel? or at least have documentation from the mechanic that there was gas in the fuel tank? If you do not have any documentation you are likely on your own, sorry to say.


Injection pumps, injectors etc do not like gasoline because it lacks the lubrication of diesel.

 

[fo4imtippin]

The VP44 is pretty picky. I add 2 stroke oil to my diesel to ensure the valves inside of it get lubrication. I bet the gasoline did some damage to your high pressure fuel pump. I would certainly add some Supertech (walmart) 2 stroke oil 128:1 Ratio and see if you can get that pump back in order. Its electronic, so it might not recover.


If you think im crazy, back before the emissions engines, the fuel was different and wasnt ultra low sulpher. Check out the 2nd gen dodge forums for more info on this.

 

[mmoore6856]

I seen pumps that had to be disassembled and rubber seals changed from running gas in them.

 

[mmoore6856]

It's not uncommon to get bad or contaminated fuel. I drained liquid fertilizer from one guy's tank . The pipeline had a problem and it got mixed

 

[Golden_Otto_Bus]

hopeful fixes

Thanks everyone for the quick replies and help. I think I will try to change out the fuel filter once more and do another drain on the fuel/water separator. I'll let you know how that goes.

I also have an appointment at the diesel mechanic if all else fails.

 

[ewo1]

On every retail fuel pump in the nation you will find an inspection decal usually from weights and measures, where you can call to file a complaint.
I did this in Florida when i got water contaminated diesel that destroyed my fuel pump and injectors on a 2007 ford 6.7 diesel.

The state surprised me and was at the pump testing the fuel within hours.
Pump was shut down by the state untill repairs on the fuel tank/pump were done.

With this evidence from the state not only did i get a check from the fuel station for the $12,000 repairs but they also paid for a rental too !

Tip- file a complaint with the state !

 

[desrtdog]

Tip- file a complaint with the state !

.... and go to Bus-ee's for the restrooms and fudge.... fuel-up elsewhere...

 

[Golden_Otto_Bus]

Wow! Thanks for the heads up!!