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Bad fuel broke my Honda Civic

My 57 Honda Civic recently came to a halt and had to be recovered. Roadside diagnosis was fuel pump problem. My local Honda garage finally diagnosed that the high pressure pump is damaged and their expert suggested that it'd been destroyed by contaminated diesel.

They also advised that the fuel injectors should be replaced as they're likely damaged at the same time.

I've had the car three years and never mis-fueled it and had done well over 250 miles on it's most recent tank.

Faced with a massive repair bill I contacted my insurance company but was told that they wouldn't help as there was no one to claim against.

Do I have and options other than to pay the bill myself?

Asked on 16 November 2011 by ol

Answered by Honest John
Hard to explain, but a lack of lubricity in the fuel could lead to gradual wear of the pump rather than immediate destruction. if you have the receipt for your last fill and it was recent, you could take it up with the fuel station. Whether the fuel station tank content can be tested depends on whether or not it has been refilled since you filled up. But there may have been other complaints and if so the fuel station must inform you.
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