Today we have a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI in, that is suffering from Diesel contamination. This can occur from poor quality diesel, filling up with gasoline, or other like not replacing fuel filter, and, in this case caused the high pressure fuel pump to fail. Because of the lubricants in diesel, the high pressure fuel pump does not require oil as it is operating. However, because of contamination, the pump did not receive lubrication, causing the gears inside the pump to grind, and cast metal shavings throughout the whole fuel system.
Just some of the parts that had to be removed for replacing. The fuel tank, fuel pump (in tank), and all the fuel lines also need to be replaced.
With this in mind, it is imperative that the fuel filters be changed on a regular basis. With diesel engines fuel filters should be changed every 30,000km. If you don’t replace it regularly, you risk contamination, and, in this case, a big job.