alan0043 Posted July 14, 2018 Report Share Posted July 14, 2018 Hi Everyone, My Smarty is running ruff after topping off the tank. That was about 1/4 of a tank that I put in. It happen about 2 minutes after pulling out of the gas station. The check engine light also came on. My thought is that I got some bad fuel. I have put some gas line antifreeze in the tank. The bottle says it helps to remove water. The car is still running ruff. It also wants to stall out at times. You know, the worst possible time. I thought about draining the tank. I have tried to put a hose down the tank with no luck. Anybody have any ideas on what to do next ? Right now I am at a loss. Looking for some ideas, Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted July 14, 2018 Report Share Posted July 14, 2018 I doubt it would cause these symptoms, but could the station have had diesel in that tank by mistake? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix2013 Posted July 14, 2018 Report Share Posted July 14, 2018 Did you put in high test or regular, those engines hate regular. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan0043 Posted July 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2018 Hi Everyone, I learn my lesson about putting in 87 octane a few years ago. I only put in 91 or 93 octane. I have also put in an octane booster with no help. At times it goes down the road just fine. How do I drain the tank ? It won't let me put a hose in the tank so I can pump out the gas. I get so far down, then no more. There must be a block on the top of the tank. Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted July 14, 2018 Report Share Posted July 14, 2018 All I put in mine is regular. Runs fine on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERO Maker Posted July 14, 2018 Report Share Posted July 14, 2018 Sorry Al. All I can recommend is to go a smart dealer, look up parts for tank and see if there is a drain. (I doubt it). My DW even said, as I read the problem, "He needs to use higher octane gas"! Glenn, not sure where you read that the lower octane is fine?! Good luck Al. Hopefully the smart dealer can help you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeverEasy Posted July 14, 2018 Report Share Posted July 14, 2018 We have owned our 2011 Smart for 5 years and have always ran regular. Did not notice until about a year ago that there is a tag near the fill port that says something like 93 octane or better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve from SoCal Posted July 14, 2018 Report Share Posted July 14, 2018 Is the gas cap sealing? A bad cap will set a CEL, as far as poor running, did the pump run slow when you filled up? I am a Mercedes guy with Xentry lap top but I have no knowledge of Smart Cars, generally the condition you describe could be a fuel pump or pressure transducer on a Mercedes. Coil pack and plugs would be a more constant miss, not sure the electronics on a Smart are Motronic? Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Posted July 15, 2018 Report Share Posted July 15, 2018 (edited) Al’s car is a 450 gas so he is not going to get any help at the dealer. Al from what I read it looks like yours should have a fuel filter behind the right rear wheel liner. The instructions say offside which is the side away from the curb in Britain and they drive on the other side of the road. Link to evilution site https://www.evilution.co.uk/298 I would try changing the filter first and if that doesn’t work maybe you can disconnect the filter and use the cars electric pump to pump some fuel into a gas can. If it is water it will be at the bottom of the tank so you shouldn’t have to pump much out. Nigel Edited July 15, 2018 by Nigel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad & Jacolyn Posted July 15, 2018 Report Share Posted July 15, 2018 16 hours ago, GlennWest said: All I put in mine is regular. Runs fine on it Glenn it will run fine but the mileage will be lower. Al it sounds like water OR diesel in the gas to me. Worst comes to worst you may have to pull a line and let the fuel pump do the pump out for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan0043 Posted July 15, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2018 6 hours ago, Nigel said: Al’s car is a 450 gas so he is not going to get any help at the dealer. Al from what I read it looks like yours should have a fuel filter behind the right rear wheel liner. The instructions say offside which is the side away from the curb in Britain and they drive on the other side of the road. Link to evilution site https://www.evilution.co.uk/298 I would try changing the filter first and if that doesn’t work maybe you can disconnect the filter and use the cars electric pump to pump some fuel into a gas can. If it is water it will be at the bottom of the tank so you shouldn’t have to pump much out. Nigel Hi Nigel, Thank you for your help. I was thinking the same thing about the fuel filter. I was going to do a Google search today to find the location of the filter but it looks like you have done the work for me. Thank You for the info. Once I found the filter I was going to disconnect it and put a hose on the line coming from the pump and try to use the key to start the pump. I hope I don't have to remove the back of the car to get to the filter. Wish me luck, Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted July 15, 2018 Report Share Posted July 15, 2018 15 minutes ago, Brad & Jacolyn said: Glenn it will run fine but the mileage will be lower. Al it sounds like water OR diesel in the gas to me. Worst comes to worst you may have to pull a line and let the fuel pump do the pump out for you. Actually I can tell no difference. Put a lot of miles on mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad NSW Posted July 16, 2018 Report Share Posted July 16, 2018 Hope you didn't fill up in Chesapeake area at a COSTCO or Sams Club...seems they mixed diesel with their gas. See attached: News article That would ruin your day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERO Maker Posted July 16, 2018 Report Share Posted July 16, 2018 Man that hurts! Good find Brad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted July 16, 2018 Report Share Posted July 16, 2018 48 minutes ago, Brad NSW said: Hope you didn't fill up in Chesapeake area at a COSTCO or Sams Club...seems they mixed diesel with their gas. See attached: News article That would ruin your day! That'll get you a new tank of gas, a new fuel filter, and maybe new plugs. Gasoline in the diesel tank hurts way more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad & Jacolyn Posted July 16, 2018 Report Share Posted July 16, 2018 On 7/15/2018 at 8:35 AM, GlennWest said: Actually I can tell no difference. Put a lot of miles on mine. When I tried running regular gas my mileage dropped at least 8 - 10 MPG. Glad you have better luck. Brad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted July 17, 2018 Report Share Posted July 17, 2018 Wow, that's huge difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan0043 Posted July 17, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2018 (edited) Hi Everyone, I need to do a better job in looking for the fuel filter. Right now, no luck. I wonder if I should remove the right rear wheel. I should have looked at the link better that Nigel provided. It states to remove the rear wheel and the inner fender. Might be time for new glasses. lol. Still looking, Al Edited July 17, 2018 by alan0043 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pieere Posted July 17, 2018 Report Share Posted July 17, 2018 First I would have done if the CEL dash light is on; Autozone and O'Riellys parts stores will hook up a scanner for free and give a printout of what may be the problem! I'd call the dealer about the location of the fuel filter! Does sound like water as diesel fuel usually will make the car spark knock and run after you shut the engine off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted July 18, 2018 Report Share Posted July 18, 2018 On 7/17/2018 at 5:13 AM, GlennWest said: Wow, that's huge difference. I filledine up with premium yesterday. Had it very low too. Light was on. So far 50 miles and same fuel mileage going by display. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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