Dumb, put gasoline in tank instead of diesel.

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Yep, thats what I did. I was distracted by a pair of short shorts and had 2 gallons in before I realized what I was doing. After a few miinutes of telling myself how stupid I was and how much this was going to cost I started to think how I could fix this. I got some help and pushed the truck around to the back of the station. I was only a few blocks from home and had what I needed. I removed the fuel filter and put a funnel and hose under the filter housing. I put a flat container on the ground. I would turn the ignition key on momemtarily and the fuel pump would run for 10 or 15 seconds and pump several quarts of fuel. When the flat container filled I transfered the fuel to some five gallon cans. When the tank was empty( about 12 gals ) I added 2 gallons fresh diesel and pumped that through. I then replaced the filter and filled up. I took a while to get it started but it ran fine with no apparent ill effects. I know that none of you will ever do this but maybe you can pass it along. If someone knows if I shouldn't have done this, let me know.

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Tom W in Austin Tx 98 24v 2500 Quadcab auto 3. 54 lsd Rhino white/driftwood Banks Stinger Plus Manix grill nerf bars ,coming soon Bill K's fixes

 

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Not sure about the 24v with all the computer stuff, but a buddy's uncle did that to his 12v once! He got in it and drove it home with gasoline/diesel mix! The motor apparently didnt sound too happy, but it ran and after draining the tank, not even the filter, just putting in straight diesel in the tank, the motor started, ran and has been fine ever since... what you did, as far as a 12v is concerned, is overkill! You did good.

 

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You did fine. We used to "heat" up the fuel in the winter with gasoline for our trucks. There are only two real big problems: A runaway engine and lack of lubricant for the pump. Otherwise, had you filled up, the worst case is 7% gasoline. By cleaning out the way you did, you haven't hurt a thing.

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2001 HO 6 spd 2500, 4. 10 LSD, Towing Package, Electric Brakes, EGT/Boost Gauges, Running Boards, Fog Lights, Real Backup Lights

 

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You added to the life of your engine by doing what you did. A easier way is to remove the fill neck hose from the tank,then you can use a siphon. I think the reason Dodge didn't put a drain plug on the tank is because they charge $180 plus a per gallon hazardous waste disposal fee(happened to a friend of mine)Just hope from now on you don't think diesel when you see a babe in shorts,I locked the keys in my truck a few weeks ago,distracted by the same scenery.

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95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks,Warn fender flairs and running boards(Play truck)95 3500,5 speed,driftwood,Banks&phscotty,34,000 GVW apple and tractor hauler(work truck)

 

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Good work on not running it with gas! I worry about this every time I fill up, seems to me like it's just one of those little mistakes just waiting to happen. I wonder how hard it would be to install a fuel tank drain, I imagine pulling the tank to install a drain is a real pita job...

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2001 HO 6 speed Regular Cab SLT 4x4 3. 54 anti spin 2500. Used for the daily grind and sneaking away to some secret Baja beaches toting a cabover

 

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Us Dodge boys aren't the only ones to fall victim. I watched a Brand F owner siphon a full tank out due to the same mistake. Some of the pump islands in our area use the green plastic overlay for gas nozzles as well as the diesel.

 

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I filled half of a tank on a 94 with what I thought was diesel. Pump said "diesel", handle was green etc. Short end of the story is I drove 300 + miles, it smoked like crazy, had no power on the hills. Keep in mind this was a new vehicle. Next morning I went out to smell the fuel cap... ..... it was gasoline. The distributor had dumped gas in an underground tank and did not know it. The "short - short" factor probably. I had the fuel analyzed and it was 40% gasoline. I talked to DC and they said no problemo. I also talked to several truckers and got the same story. I sold the truck 4 years later with 106,000 miles. Today it has 140,000 and still no problems. The fuel was drained, filter replaced the the oil company picked up the tab and said if there were any further problems to let them know. I documented everything just in case. So, it isn't always your fault if you happen to pump something different.

 

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Picking up on Dane's idea, has anyone heard of a way to add a secure drain on the plastic DC fuel tanks?

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'97 2500 CC 4x4 5spd 3. 54LSD all stock except K&N Air, EGT&Boost Guages - next Psychotty & 4" exhaust

 

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I knew I couldn't have been the only one that almost made that mistake. I was on a cell phone call of all things, grabbed the wrong pump handle but before pulling the trigger I had to reach into the cab to write something down. Then after a few minutes, ended the call and looked at the pump. Had that awefull sinking feeling that I just screwed up, then relieved that I haven't pumped a drop. Whew. Always wondered what I'd have to do in case.

 

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Being a green horn, I'm checking and double checking the nozzle all the time.

Out here in communist occupied( I'm gonna have to flee soon) California, in the SF bay area, we have those monster resuck/fuel fume gizmo's( gas fume re-circulation nozzle) attached to all the gas pumps. None on diesel. Thats a dead giveaway.

The drain valve is a great idea. Are all these P/U's plastic tanks?

I guess as soon as my fuel tank sending unit goes out, I'll drill the tank and install a drain.

 

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I saw a ford guy do this once he emptied the tank into used 5 gal buckets. Dumped back into underground gas tanks refilled with diesel and continued on his journey.
This the reason I have locking fuel cap on mine, not for me so much but family members.

 

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I always smell the end of the nozzle before pumping fuel.

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1990(140,000 miles), 3. 54 gears, W250 5spd(replaced on guarantee), new head gasket at 98,000 miles, Reunel winch bumper, extra front and rear leaves, K&M air filter, Stanadyne fuel filter and Performance Formula Fuel Conditioner, Borgeson steering assembly and modified steering box to stiffen the steering, balanced drive shafts fore and aft, passenger-side rubber mat loose to mop up the water that leaks into the cab, CB and 2 meters(KB7VEJ), above the cab aluminum canopy with kayak/canoe rack. It’s a keeper.

 

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Make sure it's off! #ad

 

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I always do the Smell Test also. It helps relieve the fear that I am half asleep and keeps me from doing something dumb.

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98' 3500 12V 4x4 What a Great Truck... .