Daughter put gas in my 09 TDI Touareg

[pilotmike]

Did the search , read about all the warranty issues, this situation is different.

Ok, she filled it up, drove about a mile, sputtered then died.
Towed it to the dealer, metal in lines, whole fuel system needs to be replaced, according to dealer. I've read all about the HPFP issues.

My insurance wants to pay the dealer $3700 to replace the pump, and injectors.
The dealers estimate is for $16,000.

Insurance doesn't want to cough up the difference, VW is saying they have to replace everything in order for the warranty to still be valid.
Any advice, other than not to ever let my Daughter drive it again......

[chittychittybangbang]

More specifics on this: "metal in lines"? This is key.

Your insurance is YOUR insurance. They should be on your side and work it out with the dealer, you pay the premium, tell them to fix it. I can tell from the dealer's estimate that they want to replace, as you said, anything that could possibly be affected. Any list of specific items that the dealer wants to replace? Like an invoice? Some things like the fuel tank can be cleaned instead of replaced?

[vwbeamer]

I know that some insurance companies offer extended warranties for mechanical breakdown. Maybe you can talk with your agent and see if the insurance company is willing to give you an extended warranty on the repair. They should be willing to if they feel so confident only certian parts need to be replaced.

If not then you can contact the insurance commissioners office in your State to see if they can help.

Don't be too hard on your Daughter, everyone makes mistakes.

BTW, I wouldn't let her drive it again either....LOL.

Originally Posted by pilotmike

Did the search , read about all the warranty issues, this situation is different.

Ok, she filled it up, drove about a mile, sputtered then died.
Towed it to the dealer, metal in lines, whole fuel system needs to be replaced, according to dealer. I've read all about the HPFP issues.

My insurance wants to pay the dealer $3700 to replace the pump, and injectors.
The dealers estimate is for $16,000.

Insurance doesn't want to cough up the difference, VW is saying they have to replace everything in order for the warranty to still be valid.
Any advice, other than not to ever let my Daughter drive it again......

[Willie]

I've run into dealer service claims like this before. The dealer quote is to replace all elements of the fuel system that may have been contaminated by gasoline. Their assertation is that anything touched by gasoline is ruined forever for further use with diesel*. All lines, filters, tanks, valves, pumps, injectors etc. $16K seems excessive though. Are they going to replace the head due to the common rail system? Asking for an itemized service proposal is excellent advice. I've found some real gems unsupported by the factory maintenance manuals in those. Including replacement of a complete wiring harness when the 2 defective connectors could have been replaced separately at about $10 each plus labor.

Depending upon the type of pump, the "metal in the lines" could be pump failure due to the lack of lubrication from gasoline. I'd think <1 mile shouldn't cause parts failure due to lack of lube but I don't know what type of pump is involved here. Or, it could have been due to previous abnormal wear and this is their excuse to avoid warranty coverage. Metal floating around in the head/injection system is a major issue. However, a real thorough clean & flush should be possible. I'll admit if I was on the hook for further warranty, a new head might go in there.

[Thought from several hours later: I wonder if they decided the DPF and cats are all contaminated and need replaced? I'd involve the Zone Service Manager (or whatever VOA calls him) from VOA about what's really necessary. Especially if those items show up on an itemized service proposal.]

Talking to the insurance commission about "dealing in bad faith" is worth a try. Mentioning the possibility to the insurance company first is also worth a try. That can cost them their right to do business in your state if it's upheld.

* That claim seems suspect since several engine manufacturers used to advise cutting #2 diesel with specified percentages of gasoine in below freezing temperatures to reduce the cloud point. Please note the "used to".

[LIQUIDSILVER]

Originally Posted by pilotmike

Did the search , read about all the warranty issues, this situation is different.

Ok, she filled it up, drove about a mile, sputtered then died.
Towed it to the dealer, metal in lines, whole fuel system needs to be replaced, according to dealer. I've read all about the HPFP issues.

My insurance wants to pay the dealer $3700 to replace the pump, and injectors.
The dealers estimate is for $16,000.

Insurance doesn't want to cough up the difference, VW is saying they have to replace everything in order for the warranty to still be valid.
Any advice, other than not to ever let my Daughter drive it again......

Although this sounds harsh, once the dust has settled, how about docking any difference out of your daughter's allowance or paycheck? Life has harsh lessons and this sounds fair to me. If it were her car she messed up would you bail her out?

[Offroad_TDI_Guy]

It seems like this is one of those things that the Volkswagen Dealership will void the warranty altogether.

[dweisel]

A couple of quick points. NONE of the contaminated fuel components can be cleaned. The fine metal particles produced from a hpfp failure are so small they can't be reliably cleaned. The metal particles almost impregnate themselves in any plastic components. NOT replacing the entire fuel system is just skipping over important steps in a correct repair and will probably result in a second hpfp failure. The second point is Gas contamination can cause a hpfp to fail in as little as 4 minutes at idle .


LUBRICITY,LUBRICITY,LUBRICITY!
dweisel

[Audi5000TDI]

Don't let her fuel up anything you intend to pilot or fly.

It's your responsibility as the owner to educate users of your vehicles as to how to properly fuel them... no one else's responsibility but yours. Educate, train, lead by example, parent... It wasn't the driving part, it was the fueling part you neglected to show her.

[ozarkgolfer]

Originally Posted by Audi5000TDI

Don't let her fuel up anything you intend to pilot or fly.

It's your responsibility as the owner to educate users of your vehicles as to how to properly fuel them... no one else's responsibility but yours. Educate, train, lead by example, parent... It wasn't the driving part, it was the fueling part you neglected to show her.

You don't know their circumstances or who these people are. The OP posted looking for help (and probably felt a little embarrassed whilst doing so) and not your self righteous bullying.

There are accidents in life every minute of the day. This one we can be pretty sure was 99% unintentional and did not put anyone in harms way.

What a Jimmy!

[alpha.kilo]

Originally Posted by Audi5000TDI

Don't let her fuel up anything you intend to pilot or fly.

It's your responsibility as the owner to educate users of your vehicles as to how to properly fuel them... no one else's responsibility but yours. Educate, train, lead by example, parent... It wasn't the driving part, it was the fueling part you neglected to show her.

Your post was not helpful and totally inappropriate. If this is an example of how you jump to conclusions without possibly knowing all of the facts of the occurrence, I can only wonder what blunders you have accomplished in your lifetime.

AK