Will not start after water was added to the gas tank

Tiny
BSCHOON87
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 105,000 MILES
There was close to a gallon if not a gallon of water put in a close to empty gas tank. I drained the tank by forcing fuel pump to push fluids out through the lines. I put new fuel, almost 5 gallons, along with a bottle of HEET. The van will crank, but will not start. What should I do next?
Friday, August 1st, 2014 AT 12:37 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Try and check the fuel pressure with a gauge. Start here.
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Friday, August 1st, 2014 AT 1:11 PM
Tiny
BSCHOON87
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  • 4 POSTS
Okay, thanks! What would the next steps be? If the fuel pressure is okay, then what? If it is not okay, then what?
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Friday, August 1st, 2014 AT 1:12 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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If fuel pressure is within specs-check for injection pulses from the injectors.
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Friday, August 1st, 2014 AT 1:14 PM
Tiny
BSCHOON87
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Thanks! What would be after that? Sorry I am a moron when it comes to cars.
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Friday, August 1st, 2014 AT 1:16 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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If no injection pulses be looking at the computer.
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Friday, August 1st, 2014 AT 1:24 PM
Tiny
BSCHOON87
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  • 4 POSTS
And this is all from water being put into gas tank?
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Friday, August 1st, 2014 AT 1:25 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Do the fuel pressure check with a gauge this will tell you something.
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Friday, August 1st, 2014 AT 1:27 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
When you put this much water in the tank then you need to drop the tank and drain it completely. Pumping it through the system is not the best idea because you are likely not going to get it all out.

Since you have done this, we need to do the following. Drop the tank and drain it and dry it out. Replace the fuel pump because it is has so much water run through it. It may not need it but since you have the tank down it is better to do it then find out later it needs to be replaced. Remove the fuel filter and blow out the fuel lines. Then replace the fuel filter. Fill the tank with fuel and add back in the water absorption chemical.

You may still have injector issues as the water can corrode the internal parts of the injectors but I doubt that happened this quickly. I attached the process for removing the tank in the event you need it.

Let me know if you have questions. Thanks
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Friday, April 17th, 2020 AT 6:18 PM

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