2000 Honda Accord Detergent in Gas Tank

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THOMASA_TOM
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hi,
I accidentally added about 3 gallons of laundry detergent into my 2000 Honda Accord EX gas tank that has about 60,000 miles on it. It had about 3 gallons on gasoline in the tank when I added the laundry detergent. This detergent does not have any bleach.

I already drove the car for about 1 mile after doing this when it coughed, sputtered and stopped.

It is at the mechanic, who is going to clean the gas tank and fuel injection system. They also suggest replacing the fuel pump. This is the first time they have seen this issue and hence are worried something might have "gelled" inside the fuel pump.

Do you think it may be necessary to replace the fuel pump?

Thanks
Tohmas
Apr 17, 2006 at 1:55 AM
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BRUCE HUNT
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 3,754 POSTS
First of all, how do you add laundry detergent to a car and especially that much. You had to be high. The system should be flushed, the filter replaced and that should do it.
Apr 18, 2006 at 3:51 PM

Suggested Repair

Flush the fuel system and replace the fuel filter. The expert indicated that should be sufficient and did not recommend replacing the fuel pump.

Conversation Summary

The owner accidentally added about 3 gallons of laundry detergent without bleach to a 2000 Honda Accord EX tank that already held about 3 gallons of gasoline. After driving about a mile, the car coughed, sputtered, and stopped. The shop planned to clean the tank and fuel injection system and suggested replacing the fuel pump because of possible gelling. The expert advised flushing the system and replacing the filter, saying that should resolve it.

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