I think I just got bad fuel: Now what?

[Bernie]

I just filled up my 2003 (all stock) at a local Mom and Pop station about 6 miles from my house. I rarely get fuel there because it isn't really on my way anywhere. My tank was VERY empty so I didn't have a choice (it took about 33 gallons).

I noticed as pulled out of the station some smoke, which is uncommon for my truck. It seemed to go the short distance home OK, but when I got it in the driveway I noticed a little miss at idle. I revved it a few times and I got smoke, and I noticed a little delay to the throttle response.

What should I do? If it is bad fuel, can I just run through this tank and not get it from that station again? What are the risks?

 

[HOBrian]

Bad fuel not filtered enough (stock filter not good enough) can cause big problems! If you think you have bad fuel drain the tank. I would rather waste the fuel and save the injectors than to "hope for the best" and then have major problems.



I know your thinking this... I should have only put in 5 bucks to get me to the "better" station!!!



Don't say I have injector problems now I should have drain the fuel!:{

 

[rbattelle]

I'd have to agree with Brian. It'll suck draining the tank, but I think that's for the best. You might be able to siphon it out, but 33 gallons is a lot of fuel to dispose of.

Save the receipt from the station and maybe have a sample sent out for analysis. The station may compensate you for your trouble.

Ryan

 

[SShafranko]

Drain the fuel out at his gastation in one of his drums. That is what i would do.

 

[RobertHartman]

Water in fuel

Before you get carried away with all this draining etc. Just drain the fuel from your filter that will get rid of what water you may have there. Then if you like you can open the cannister and put an oz or two of Power Service (Walmart) in then screw it back on prime the fuel filter. Then put about 1/2 gal of power service in your tank that should dry out your water plus the power service will clean your injectors.

Drove a Large Truck for years this is one remedy. Hope it helps and much quicker. BTY if your due a new fuel filter this would just be a good time to change it.

 

[Missouri Mule]

I agree with RobertHartman drain/take off the filter make sure nothing is growing in there and put some cleaner in there.

 

[HOBrian]

I still say drain IT!!! Look here https://www.turbodieselregister.com...sions-2003-2007/209671-contaminated-fuel.html

 

[steved]

Contaminated fuel doesn't limit the contamination to water or particulates... he could have fuel contaminated with gasoline or even just "stale" fuel if they don't run through it that often.

I would drain a sample and see what it, if any thing, it may contain... if you are sure its fuel (and not a coincidental injector issue), then I agree with the others, collect a sample for analysis, drain the tank, and start over with fresh fuel.

HOWEVER, if you were in need of 33-gallons of fuel in a tank that only "lists" as being around 35-gallons (and that is sure to vary from tank to tank based on molding processes), you could simply have gotten a bunch of air in the system which will cause the symptoms you describe.

 

[JHMiller]

I got a tank of contaminated fuel in the 03 in Minn. several years ago. They caught the station putting everything from used oil to who knows what in their tank. They were prosecuted. It was 6 months before I saw the news report. I in the mean time had tried everything I could buy, everything, changed fuel filters constantly, still mud out of the water separator daily. Of course performance and mileage had went to crap. I wish I would have drained the tank right off but what do you do with 35 gal of fuel, throw it on the ground, I don't think so. Your dealer will do it for an unreasonable fee. Then I found K100D from Kinetic Labs, two jugs in a tank, I bought 6, end of story. I had a second issue after filling in Saratoga, Wy, this summer, same result, 2 jugs, end of issue. That being said, you do need to consider damage and draining the tank is the real answer. Take a sample out of the water separator to your dealer for advice. Then the system needs treated for fungus and contamination. In addition, contact your state and provide them with a sample for testing, hopefully you have the receipt. Perhaps they can assist you in disposal of the fuel also if you decide to drain yourself.

 

[Bernie]

Update

Here is what I did:



-Plugged the truck in last night (got to about -5)

-Got some Power Service Diesel Kleen and added about 16 oz to the tank.

-Drained the fuel filter housing in to a water bottle. Nothing looked out of the ordinary.

-Ran three heater grid three cycles prior to starting.

-Started the truck and let it idle for 15 min.

-After about 5 min of idling it smoothed out.

-Put about 20 miles of city driving on the truck. It seems to be fine. Still blowing a little smoke, but better than yesterday.



Towing a small trailer on Saturday about 200 miles round trip. I'll have a better idea then.

 

[RKohn]

If they don't sell much it may not even have been a winter blend and you just gelled up.



Been there, done that.

 

[Bernie]

If they don't sell much it may not even have been a winter blend and you just gelled up.

It crossed my mind, but it was warmer when I filled, and the problems showed up immediately after filling. There wasn't any time to gel.

 

[steved]

My bet is that you sucked a bunch of air into the fuel system running the tank as low as you did...

 

[Bernie]

My bet is that you sucked a bunch of air into the fuel system running the tank as low as you did...

I do that pretty regularly though, and I have never had a problem. Most of my fill ups are 30 to 34 gallons.

 

[CPittman]

If I were you, I'd get a mason jar full of your fuel and watch to see if it separates. When I went through this (bad fuel load) with a Shell station they ended up buying a motor for a Ford PowerStroke that grenaded on bad fuel (probably due to the high quality injection system on the Ferds) and they paid Huffines Dodge to drop my tank and fully scrub my fuel delivery system. I didn't push for new injectors and, to this day I think I have premature wear on the sticks due to that bad fuel.



If the mom and pop are agents for a big oil company and you have your receipt, I'd get it to a Dodge house for analysis post-haste. Then contact the mom and pop in a friendly way - they probably will know exactly what to tell you and they'll know whom you should contact at the oil company. Then the oil company will want the receipts from the repair center. If it was bad fuel, remember, you're not the only one that's called them to complain - they will know what to do.



My vote - get to the dealer and have it checked out.