Sort of OT : Beware water in your diesel - X5 tale of woe !

[Zeuk in Oz]

I know most of you drive petrol (gasoline) cars but need to share this experience for any of you with diesels.

Filled my X5 with water contaminated diesel recently and after 400 km it just wouldn't run with all sorts of injection warnings.

Long story (6 weeks) short - my BMW dealer had to replace all 6 injectors, fuel rail, fuel filter, 3 fuel pumps, 2 pressure regulators and the plastic fuel tank had to be cleaned.

All lines flushed out and BMW will no longer offer warranty on my engine but my insurance company will.

Total cost (paid for by my insurance company) AUD $18,000 (Approx US $12,000).

Hopefully the picture will show the metallic sludge at the bottom of the fuel which could be moved around with a magnet.

Interestingly my Vito (Merc Benz) suffered the same fuel but no damage due to fuel pumps that don't require diesel fuel to lubricate - a filter change & tank flush (by my MB dealer) and it was fine.