gas in diesel

[gregdoerfler]

i have a 550 gallon gas tank and want to drain it out to put diesel in it i should be able to get most all the gas out, but is there a problem with having some gas in the diesel, it will be off road use in tractors.

 

[John - K5AWO]

Depends on the dilution ratio. If there is only 1 gallon of fuel remaining that you can't remove, IMO there is no problem.



I suspect that the ratio could even be higher, but diesel's don't like solvents that wash down the cylinders. The more you can pump out the better.



If in doubt, pump in some diesel to "wash" the tank with and pump that out. Run it in small amounts (say 5%) in your gasolene operated equipment. A little extra lubricity in the gas engine won't hurt a thing.

 

[rrausch]

If it's a steel tank, more than a few years old, it will have some rusty sludge on the bottom. I'd try to find a way to clean it out. And when you do fill it, let it sit for 24 hours so the dirt and rust will sink to the bottom.

 

[John - K5AWO]

Originally posted by rrausch

If it's a steel tank, more than a few years old, it will have some rusty sludge on the bottom. I'd try to find a way to clean it out. And when you do fill it, let it sit for 24 hours so the dirt and rust will sink to the bottom.

And if it is a steel tank- Get the dirt out first and then dump a gallon or two of CLR cleaner in the tank and let it boil for about an hour. slosh it around the bottom. Rinse it with lots of water.



Rust-B-Gone is the result.

 

[keimmmo]

Another option would be to use a good additive and/or some motor oil to offset the gasoline. If there won't be over 10% gasoline in with the diesel, I do not see it as a problem if you treat it.



Do a search on ones who have accidentally put gasoline in the fuel tank of their trucks. There is a lot of good information there.



Steve

 

[John - K5AWO]

keimmmo has a good point. Pour in about 5 gallons of new motor oil, fill the tank and go. That will tone down the gasolene.

 

[gregdoerfler]

thanks guys for all the help i will try to get most out then put some diesel in it and drain it again then probly fill it and add some oil, i cant see there being 1%gas in it after the fill up.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Originally posted by John - K5AWO

I suspect that the ratio could even be higher, but diesel's don't like solvents that wash down the cylinders. The more you can pump out the better.

The cylinders won't care if there's a little gas mixed in the fuel, it will burn before it hits the cylinder walls (unless there is a lot of it); the primary concern is the solvency/lack of lubrication affect it will have on the injection system, which adding a little oil will solve.



Vaughn