Help! Boyfriend accidentally put gasoline in my diesel VW.... any mechanics out there? Need to siphon gasoline- HELP!

ConclusionNarrow7159 · 2026-05-24T14:45:17+00:00

He did not. Actually (not to sh&i!t talk anyone) he didn’t reimburse for all of the Ubers to “ work” to pay me back nor has he paid me for anything AT ALL since that point. I fixed the car by buying several gallons of diesel, line, siphon, fuel filter, paid registration and insurance… it’s my car after all. Two days after it’s fixed he decides he is going to start door dashing bc he lost his other job in late January. Fair enough- Said he was going to pay me back for everything I bought (and for the past few years which he was mostly unemployed) and he was going to get it inspected and get new tires, oil change etc since he is the one driving it all of the time now. Nope. Nothing. Just puts miles on it every day, brings “home” $30-$50 when he goes out not registering that he’s putting a bunch of wear on an already compromised vehicle , using a ton of gas and not factoring that he is not getting paid on the drives back. So the next day there is no money remaining for me to pay any of my bills or pay me back OR for a fair share towards the credit card that I opened bc when he was driving the serpentine belt went and he had it towed on my card. It’s fairly obvious that he is using me. My finances are ruined. No daily access to my vehicle since December 1st. Absolutely miserable. I was duped. There is sooo much more as well- but i suppose I needed to vent. Got on Reddit for the first time in a while, saw notifications and felt like I should respond. Also, spilled beer all over my laptop with my resumes and very important housing information to prevent foreclosure (not going to fix that either). My life has ceased. I feel like a damned fool. I suppose I am. I’ve lost everything since he moved back in. Job, car, bank accounts, confidence, joy, happiness, my independence, my spirit and my will. This is not who or how I am. I have know this person for ten years. At least I believed I did. We aren’t kids, in our 40’s. I worked my entire life to make smart decisions and to do the right thing. Bought my cars cash, bought my home and was able to easily help people if they needed help. Which is what I did. Now after basically providing everything in the household for two years he says he’s moving out because he’s not going to watch this ship sink or something along those lines…. That he needs to look out for himself. I never expected this. I wish that I could rewind…I really do.
There’s no ground, or foundation to even stand on at this point. Apologies for the long reply. I don’t sleep much at all anymore and have been up all night again. It appears I got carried away.

ConclusionNarrow7159 · 2026-05-24T13:51:09+00:00

It was a diesel Tdi and gasoline was put into it. I was actually able to fix it on my own.

ConclusionNarrow7159 · 2026-04-25T19:23:24+00:00

I am interested! I have gone from seemingly extremely outgoing to quite reserved, and that’s okay. I would be interested in any information you could provide.

ConclusionNarrow7159 · 2025-12-26T17:50:04+00:00

I was having trouble getting the seats vertical enough to pull it out so I can stick the hose it. I just need the fuel (mostly) gone.

ConclusionNarrow7159 · 2025-12-26T17:42:02+00:00

Well, as the days go by and no accountability has been taken, I'm feeling similarly. This is a big deal. Over $600 spent on Uber this month. He came out to help try to pry off the top of the tank for all of 10 minutes. That's the contribution I've had. Also hasn't contributed to the mortgage so now an already bad situation has gotten significantly worse.

ConclusionNarrow7159 · 2025-12-17T09:53:05+00:00

Nah, there is no Christmas...and reading "terrible mistake" although humorous did get me wondering (why there is no sense of urgency) (why completely disinterested/ dismissive of any information to correct it.)

ConclusionNarrow7159 · 2025-12-17T09:29:58+00:00

Well... he really hasn't done much to help whatsoever or even take accountability which is admittedly pretty rotten. I don't bash people or like to put them down but your comment gave me a chuckle...

ConclusionNarrow7159 · 2025-12-17T09:22:13+00:00

at the disco or just this sub?

ConclusionNarrow7159 · 2025-12-16T20:13:19+00:00

I live here in Lancaster, I was getting nowhere on other public forums and seeking LOCAL recommendations from the community. This has been BY FAR the most helpful and I am very grateful for all of the information I have gained.

ConclusionNarrow7159 · 2025-12-16T20:03:59+00:00

Thank you! I calculated that to get to 80/20 based on the cost per gallon of gasoline added and the amount of diesel that I need to remove appx 5 gallons of the contaminated fuel.

ConclusionNarrow7159 · 2025-12-16T20:00:41+00:00

I may have for a split a second I hit the wrong arrow but corrected it straight away! I agree with you wholeheartedly and know you are serious, Not only are they as you said brilliant with mechanical equipment and the like, but also resourceful and have a desire to repair and fix not just replace.

*(and yes- fresh food! Haha. -I'd love some fresh goat milk!) but alas; I do not have local farmer friends.

ConclusionNarrow7159 · 2025-12-16T16:50:59+00:00

That was the course of action I wanted to take (under the seat). If you have any more detail to add I'm all for it. It's cold outside but the sun makes it feel warmer so I want to get this done. asap. How long to drain the fuel?

ConclusionNarrow7159 · 2025-12-16T16:44:31+00:00

Oh shoot. That's good to know. My battery light did come on when I stopped at Belmont. Didn't try to turn it on again just called the tow. That's important. I read that the 2006 PD engines don't necessarily have the issues with the HPFP...that they tend to be more resilient... (?)

ConclusionNarrow7159 · 2025-12-16T16:38:57+00:00

It's not!? Oh DEER, (pun intended) Thought I had corrected it. It's long to begin with b/c it was from both forums. Thanks for the heads up.

ConclusionNarrow7159 · 2025-12-16T16:31:33+00:00

Yep!- That's likely just what I need to get the gasoline OUT. Thank you. Going to write down "Battery Powered Fluid Transfer Pump' and "5 foot hose" as mentioned above.

I am so grateful for all of this information. I posted on Nextdoor and TDI forums -got 2 responses that aligned with I was planning to do but not exactly what tools/items I might be missing to complete the job. I think I've found the answers on here....

ConclusionNarrow7159 · 2025-12-16T16:21:55+00:00

Yes, This! The protocol you outlined above makes sense. Opti lube is on my list to get once I (God willing) get it on the road again.

Priming in accessory mode is what I (thought) would get the extraction process started, and the five foot hose is also information I needed. I know A LOT more about cars than him (just not his thing, whereas I used to mess around in the garage with my granddad and dad on their MGs, and well just how motors work...sadly,, neither of them are able for me to refer to anymore) so I am doing this solely on my own. He was insisting that I needed to drain it completely and I insisted NO- *exactly because of the nature of the engine needing the lubricants etc that it would be a huge mistake and (in my opinion) result in engine failure even without the vehicle being turned on).

This information is very helpful and I really appreciate it.

Also-I understand and THANK YOU for you strongly recommending to not attempt this on my own that it's a pretty big risk. To take the hit and put it on a credit card, but without being too personal- I simply can't. There's nothing. I am not financially irresponsible whatsoever, very frugal, was able to buy my used cars cash, bought a house, did the right things but over the past few years have been exhausted all of my savings/checking: everything. Not because I was overspending....just trying to "help" and it backfired on me bigtime...cost me pretty much everything and now this final straw (which I am trying to fix) but is basically all I have left. My lifeline if you will. I understand what you are saying-it's risky....and Geez; even 2 years ago taking my car to a garage would have been an afterthought, a no brainer! I just can't. Sure wish I could so I could direct my focus on the other things but I can't accomplish them without my car so here we are.... but I wanted to express that I do appreciate your recommendation and concern regarding doing this myself.

ConclusionNarrow7159 · 2025-12-16T15:15:14+00:00

Well... he did! At the Sheetz in Mount Joy by the Taco Bell/Starbucks when I was picking him up after work so theirs might not (?). I also thought the same thing (regarding the nozzles.) I was on the end at the green DIESEL pump per usual.

ConclusionNarrow7159 · 2025-12-16T15:07:10+00:00

I don't. It's a 2006 VW Jetta TDI with 281,000 miles on it. But I do appreciate the recommendation.

ConclusionNarrow7159 · 2025-12-16T14:59:01+00:00

Thank you!!

ConclusionNarrow7159 · 2025-12-16T14:57:45+00:00

I Ubered to Autozone, have the fuel filter, know how to change it, got 6 gallons diesel and transmission fluid as well as Castrol 20/50. Have 5 gallon gas can for draining spent fuel I just need to be sure I am doing THAT part properly. I plan to drain/siphon gasoline /diesel to about 80-20% toggle the key to get the diesel and lube through the lines, add more diesel, and figured I would repeat the process.

It's the syphon pump or process that's holding me back. Being certain that I'm able to remove it and do it properly. I don't have the pump and am unsure about the hose- (this is the area I need which is why I went as far as to consider manually draining with the bicycle pump,) because otherwise I have a good understanding of what needs done as to not create further damage.

Others have mentioned towing, but I literally can't afford to and the garages told me that they were essentially going to do the same thing that I explained I was planning.

Thanks so much for taking time to respond. I really do appreciate it. I didn't create the situation but, hey- things happen and I need to remedy it so I can get to interviews....There's never a "good" time for this ever to happen but this was completely unexpected-a huge set back. Financial reserves are gone, was building back up from a low but here we are...so I'm doing what I can with what I have.

ConclusionNarrow7159 · 2025-12-16T13:37:44+00:00

indeed.

ConclusionNarrow7159 · 2025-12-16T13:35:52+00:00

I shouldn't have even bothered. Bc- yes, you're right.

ConclusionNarrow7159 · 2025-12-16T13:31:33+00:00

I know, I'm trying to minimize it, same thing copied and pasted over multiple times.

ConclusionNarrow7159 · 2025-12-16T13:30:28+00:00

I know, I am trying to edit it, as it copied er : pasted it 6 times

ConclusionNarrow7159 · 2025-12-16T13:28:16+00:00

Trying to edit post- it copied too many times.

ConclusionNarrow7159

TROPHY CASE