P0306 code - Bad fuel & "Dark sparkplugs"?

Ahi All - I got this P0306 code over the weekend. It was running fine for some 25 miles, and then it started running very rough. Code reader showed P0306. - Since I have low miles, I had AAA tow it to the dealer.

They looked at it this morning and they tell me I have 'bad fuel' and that my sparkplugs are 'dark'... Without more details he went off to ask for more details from the technician.

I usually get costco fuel, but last time (in a rush) I got some 5 gals from a different - but reputable and pretty high-volume gas station. My tank is maybe 1/4 full now...

The picture shows that the fuel sample "straight from the tank". They want to flush the tank. This does not look quite the right for fuel to me. (?)
- Whatever that layer is is a BIG portion of the fuel and I imagine it would have had a performance impact previously, not just suddenly started sputtering.

My questions are:
- What could be the issue with the fuel shown? (It looks too light to me...) Is fuel a likely culprit for this code?
- The sparkplugs are OEM and they have 30k miles. These do not look bad to me... Thoughts on condition?
- What is the easiest way to empty the tank (if the dealer does it, they will charge a $500! haz waste fee, on top of the labor).

- Suggestions? Thoughts on the typical causes of this code?

- My research popped-up a few threads, but none seemed to have a 'resolution' as a part of the thread... most just fade away.

Thanks in advance.

 

Theres water in that fuel...

 

The plugs don't look horrible. Definitely different colors, but not a great difference.

The dealer should have a water test kit. Silly they didn't have that info for you. You will need that info.

Water in fuel used to be a hotly contested thing. Folks say that there are filters and detectors required at all stations that will stop flow when water is detected. Others say that can be bypassed.

The other supposed side is that if you have bad gas, the station / fuel company is responsible for repairs.

Good luck!


For the fun of it, my plugs at 66k:



And a peak down Number 2, I believe:

 

Whatever that liquid is…. It looks like more water-based than gasoline. Def not my favorite jarrito flavor. Is that truck in the slo dealer? I don’t know from where but I would get a second opinion. Did you store that truck for a while?

 

I have seen bad gas, I.E gas with water in it many times in my life, and it never looked like that.
Mind you, it never came from a gas station. Usually water intrusion on four wheelers, dirt bikes, lawn mowers, etc. Something rain made it into, on way or another.
Bad gas, or contaminated gas from gas stations, while it does happen, is as rare than hen's teeth.
Just for fun, I just took 30 seconds and mixed some good fresh gas about three to one with water I'll attach the picture..

 

^^^ The gas is on top, obviously.
The fill line is nearly impossible to see, but it's up just under the rim of the jar.
But the distinction is clear.

As mentioned, there's nothing to write home about with the plugs.

 

What’s it taste like though?
Good or bad?

 

I siphoned so much gas when I was young, I could probably tell you by taste which station pumped it..

 

Water in the gas. Call the gas station and talk to them about it. Youre probably not the only one that got water from them that day. Happens all the time around here after a good rain. We towed 4 cars all within a mile of each other once that got gas from a station full of water. The station paid the tow bill and repairs for all vehicles.

 

If it happens after every heavy
rain, how do the gas stations stay in business?
The margins on gas are slim. I don't know how they'd be able to keep up with the repair bills..
¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

Im sure they fix the problem with their tank. Not the same station every time and the station files a claim on their insurance to cover the damages. It doesn't happen literally "every time it rains" but it is a very common occurrence

 

The greatest thing I ever heard a good friend say was, “man, I did not want to get gas in my mouth today.”

 

Pretty sure I get gas from the same Costco. No problems, no rain either.

 

Its baffling..
No rain to introduce water from the top, low moisture overall... the other station is also high volume. No reports of any issues from others

If the sample shown is representative, Then have more water than fuel!

I dont think it would fire if that was all water...

I'll have them do the pumping of the fuel and (expensively) replace the plugs.

I'll avoid the $500 !!!) haz mat fee by taking the bad fuel away myself.

Sigh...

 

maybe that was all the water in your tank and not representative of the ratio. Even still, maybe someone emptied the contents of their water bottle into your tank. Is that even possible?

 

A sample in a jar could be very different than the amount in the tank. If they are pulling off the bottom, you would get a higher quantity of water.

Driving around, that stuff is sloshing and getting mixed up to some extent.