Bad Fuel - Now CEL

[MDVDuber]

Ok - so to start out - I'M an IDIOT. Ok now that that's out of the way.

I put some bad gas in my 04 4Runner, old, probably full of water etc. (see this is where Greg is an idiot...). So I dropped the tank, cleaned it out, reinstalled and put about 3 gallons of Shell Premium in it.

So she fires up after a bit of cranking (getting fuel to the engine I imagine), but now she's missing like crazy and throwing a Flashing CEL at me. With my VW's and the wife's Subaru a flashing CEL usually means don't drive me - so no running the 10 miles to the local shop. I don't have a code reader for a Toyota so I can't tell you what the code(s) is/are.

1) Does the Toyota require a specific code reader or will any OBDII reader work?
1a) If I do read the codes will it tell me Misfire on Cylinder #X the way my VW code reader does?
1b) If it doesn't how do I tell what's really going on? I've never worked with a plain old OBD II car before.

2) Did I just bugger up my injectors? Clean or replace?

3) If my wife hits me over the head with a hockey stick - please tell the police it was justifiable homicide.

Thanks in advance for any help and I guess Flame :gun5::gun5: away.

 

[Flyer]

Have you tried HEET or a similar product that removes water?

Also, how did you do this in the first place?:

 

[chaz]

did u replace the filter while u had the tank down? 4Runner fuel filter location - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum 4Runner fuel filter location - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum maybe some seafoam might help. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/classic-t4rs/55248-seafoaming-process.html http://www.toyota-4runner.org/maintenance/52971-seafoam.html

 

[MDVDuber]

did u replace the filter while u had the tank down? 4Runner fuel filter location - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum 4Runner fuel filter location - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum maybe some seafoam might help. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/classic-t4rs/55248-seafoaming-process.html http://www.toyota-4runner.org/maintenance/52971-seafoam.html

No filter in the 2004 model - at least I couldn't find one - and I disconnected all the fuel lines, dropped the tank and pulled the pump. There is a screen/pad system at the end of the fuel pump - but it looked pretty clean - plus I rinsed it with good gas.

I've run Sea foam through my older VW with some success - Is it safe on a 2004? I guess it's got the same basic fuel injectors so why not.... I mean I can't break much more right?

 

[chaz]

4th Gens only have a fuel filter in the fuel tank, by the fuel pump. There is a mesh filter before the pump and a real filter build into the pump assembly. No other in line fuel filters.

 

[MDVDuber]

4th Gens only have a fuel filter in the fuel tank, by the fuel pump. There is a mesh filter before the pump and a real filter build into the pump assembly. No other in line fuel filters.

So if I sawzall through the floor of the truck I can change that filter without dropping the tank again..... Brilliant design.

On the bright side the latest software update on my VagCom can read generic OBD II codes. Guess my Sa****ay is planned already.

So why can't I type Sa****ay without it replacing letters with ***? That would be the day after Friday for those who aren't NSA code breakers.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Sa****ay

:wtf: I'll work on that

 

[Flyer]

Just put a space- Sat urday or misspell it- Saterday.

Sa****ay

:wtf: I'll work on that

 

[chaz]

one of the guys on toyota120 said theres a hatch in the floor that gives u access to the pump but its not large enough to pull it out through.

 

[Jed]

A flashing check engine light means that you have the type of misfire that can cause catalytic converter damage. That's why they say you should shut the engine off if you have a flashing check engine light.

And yes, you can use a generic OBDII scan tool. It should tell you which cylinder(s) is/are misfiring. My guess is that one or more of your fuel injectors got compromised by the bad gas.

 

[MDVDuber]

Well it looks like I dodged another bullet! I plugged the VAGCOM in yesterday - sure enough #1 and # 8 Cylinder misfire. Ok so I'll only need to replace 2 injectors.... well gotta move it anyhow to pressure wash and seal the driveway, fire her up and cough cough - VROOM! So a bottle of Techron and a tank of Shell HiTest and she seems to be ok...

Thanks to all of you who responded. :cheers: