Ok...I did a really really really stupid to the 10th power thing. Oh and Euph if you read this...just laugh on your own...ok...no need to post how stupid I am...LOL. Seriously...this is bad. Ok...let's set the stage so I can possibly make this look like an honest or conceivable...or at least understandable...awww.. my pride just needs to explain. I was running really late for church. I stopped at Kroger for gas which I never do. I used my paypal mastercard for gas which I never do. I filled my tank which I never do mostly because of gas prices. Well...Kroger is the ONLY gas station in town that sells that new corn alcohol ethanol gas. YEP....I pumped a tankful. I can't even believe I made that mistake. I really can't. That is sooooo not like me. I mean I can be dizzy and do dumb things...but that takes the cake. My car seems to be running ok....but that doesn't mean much. I have an old 91 Corsica. My car is not supposed to take that kind of gas. I was in tears! I just got my car back. It is very difficult to live on one car. We will be so isolated. We cannot afford to buy another one right now. UGH! I am calling the mechanic in hopes he can give me good news. you know, the Lord has often revealed himself through cars in my life. Really. I know that sounds strange. I can give you many times. I just hope this will be on of them.
Oh no! I hope it works out okay. When we moved to Nebraska the cheapest gas was an ethanol kind and I used it on my car then, which was a 91 Geo Prizm. I got a new car not long after we moved, but it was mostly because of the scary sounds it was making--which started long before the move, but on a teacher's salary a new car was not going to happen!
I'm sure it'll be fine, especially if you can dilute it with some normal gas. (btw I try not to nag people for mistakes, we all make them )
You know, sometimes it helps to know there is someone worse off than you, so.... last weekend our second car was set on fire and is now a hunk of junk on the side of the road. It was not insured. So now we are DEFINATELY back to one car. Indefinately.
Oh my goodness! AussieMum was it an accident or did someone set it on fire? I am so sorry that happened to you. Ava Rose, Some of the dumb things that I have done are to humiliating to even see in print. I hope your car doesn't have any problems from the mix up. Beth
Ava, perhaps this won't hurt your car at all. Is this stuff actually CHEAPER? Maybe it's God's direction to help you out with your budget, which we know is EXTREMELY tight.....? Aussie, WHAT HAPPENED??? That's got to be scary!!! Mom got a call one time from the Chicago police (seven hours away) because my brother's car blew up! Turns out my fool brother had let it run out of oil! (We teased him about whether he was dating an Italian girl on the side, lol!)
I hope everything is all right. Let us know what they say about your car. You are not stupid. All of us make mistakes we are only human after all. This will definitely alter your life, but I know you are strong and will figure out a way to manage. Just know that we are all hoping for the best possible outcome.
This article talks about putting that fuel in "regular" cars..its says it is safe. And you are not stupid..I almost did that the other day!! They need to have a better way of distinguishing all of the different types of fuel at the pumps now! http://www.greenfieldethanol.com/en/ethanol.html#q3
Ava Rose, I really hope everything works out for you. If it's not too late, is there anyway to sipher it out and put good gas in to flush out the residual? I'm just grabbing here, but it may be worth a try. Hugs!
Well, I called a chevy dealer to see if by some chance it was compatible. The car is not. He suggested I get it towed in and cleaned out. I called AAA for a tow and asked the service dept. about the problem...he said the same but that no damage should have been done. I called my mechanic...who I planned on using anyway...but I had to call AAA for the tow and I wanted to also speak to a chevy guy to get a heads up...anyway...the mechanic said that he doubts it caused any damage. He recommended getting my tank cleaned out since the car is not supposed to have that kind of gas. Also..if there is any rust in the tank or by the seals (or whatever) the ethanol could affect that. He did give me the least expensive quote also...$125.00 providing no damage. However, he said there is likely no damage. Ok...but get this...I emailed chevy yesterday wondering about this hoping to get a heads up before talking to the mechanic. I just got emailed back and the dealer said that one tank should not cause a problem and I probably chould just run it through. WEll...too late now I didn't read that until the car was already towed. I guess it is better safe than sorry though...I think. I did a bit more research and I get conflicting accounts on how it would effect a car that is not flex fuel. However, the myth of it killing the car (which someone told me at church last night) is not true. Nellie, it is recommeneded that only FFV...flex fuel vehicles should use E85. However, there are conflicting answers as to what can happen to car that is non-FFV and gets pumped with it. Just in the four inquiries I made, I had one person say it wasn't a big deal. I would be suspect if I had only asked a mechanic looking to make a buck...but the one chevy guy who knew I was not taking my car to him...also told me to get it drained. (of course one also said not to worry...lol)
May I remind you that in this day and age I still do NOT have a drivers license, I do NOT drive, we have one van. I am often isolated here with all 4 kids all day and night for over a week at a time. You too will get past this and live on. We all make mistakes and surely this may have been a costly one but not the end of the world.
I am sitting hear with a neck and back that became instantly stiff after reading that. I am feelling a bit claustophobic also, I think I will go check the mail..............seriously. Taking slow/ deep breaths now.
Well, it seems that I do not have to have any work done on the car!!!! Yippy!!! I should not get that gas again...but one tank of it is not a big deal. I just need to run it through and get some high octane gas after that and I am fine. Woohoo!
Wow Ava I wish I would of seen this earlier I would of told you don't do anything just run the car until it's out of gas and everything will be ok. I did the same thing never hurt a thing. Aussie, what happen?
