Mechanic dumped rust into my fuel tank

[echo fan]

I just paid a mechanic to clean corrosion from the filler neck of the gas tank of my 2005 Toyota Echo to resolve a check engine condition. This did clear up the error condition however I'm thinking I may now have a future problem of premature failure of the fuel filter or other issues with the fuel system.


When I opened my gas cap this weekend I discovered about a tablespoon of rusty powder sitting in the fuel fill neck above the nozzle hole and a fine trial of dust could also be seen down the filler neck. This would indicate that a power tool was used to remove rust and that no effort was taken to prevent the removed material from entering the gas tank such as stuffing the neck with a piece of rag or covering the filler holes with a piece of masking tape and then vacuuming or blowing out the removed material


Am I going to have problems with my fuel filter. It's inside the gas tank so it won't be easy to fix.Should I drain the tank and replace the filter. What will this cost me? Should the mechanic pay.

[RningOnFumes]

I read this thread a few days ago...had to think about it for a bit.

Since it's been a few days, I couldn't ask you to take pics to document?

I don't think you will have to worry yet. Yes, in a worse case scenerio, you could see clogged fuel injectors and even clogged filter among other things but I don't see it happening. I'm thinking that little bit which went into the tank is settled on the bottom and no where near the the fuel uptake. Next, I'm sure the filter will keep the particles out. Supposedly our fuel filter never needs changing, I'm assuming it's just a mesh then (don't know it for a fact). So it all depends on just how much went down the filler tube.

Have you confronted the mechanic and asked him? Did he say what he'll do to compensate? Why don't you get a couple of quotes from other mehanics ready. Don't forget to document what he says.

[GeneW1]

Originally Posted by echo fan

I just paid a mechanic to clean corrosion from the filler neck of the gas tank of my 2005 Toyota Echo to resolve a check engine condition. This did clear up the error condition however I'm thinking I may now have a future problem of premature failure of the fuel filter or other issues with the fuel system.

I read your description. Obviously the "mechanic" is incompetent and should not be hired again.

Originally Posted by echo fan

Am I going to have problems with my fuel filter. It's inside the gas tank so it won't be easy to fix.

That is quite possible. Any particulates are hard on the filter.

Originally Posted by echo fan

Should I drain the tank and replace the filter.

I would if I were you. My first move "out of the gate" would be to buy some P'blaster rust remover/bolt loosener and spray any fasteners which hold the tank into place. Do so several times, avoiding undercoating, so that the fasteners are easy to remove.

Originally Posted by echo fan

What will this cost me?

I don't know.

Originally Posted by echo fan

Should the mechanic pay.

That's for a Judge to decide. I doubt that you'll collect.

You could ask the Mechanic to "make it right". Barring that, in this economic climate, they're going to starve.

Gene