Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Gas in Diesel

[SCass]

Oops! I did the unthinkable! I accidentally started fueling my diesel with gasoline! I caught it right away but got . 3 gallon into my tank. The tank on my Ram 2500 holds 35 gallons.



Is this enough gas in the diesel to cause a problem? My thoughts are that since it is such a small percentage of the total fuel amount that it won't be a problem.



Thoughts?

 

[GaryOwen]

I don't think that 3/10 ths of a gallon will hurt anything. You could add some fuel additive if it would make you feel better. I would probably give it a dose of Howes fuel treatment since I have some in the garage, but I really don't think you will notice any difference.

 

[MChildress]

I agree not enough to hurt fill it up with diesel on go on. I know several that have made the mistake from a few gallons to filling the tank with gas. They siphoned or pumped out all they could leaving a little gas in the tank and topping off with diesel with no ill effect.

 

[HBarlow]

Assuming your fuel was low and once you realized your mistake you immediately filled the tank with diesel, I think you can forget it ever happened. Shouldn't cause any harm whatsoever. 0. 3 gallons in a tank that holds 35 gallons is less than 1% (. 86%)of gasoline in your diesel fuel.

 

[SCass]

Thanks for the advice. I contacted a certified diesel mechanic online and he basically said the same thing as you all did. I put a bit more Stanadyne Lubricity Formula in the fuel that normal. I drove it into work this morning and it actually seems to be running smoother than usual. My plan is to top it off again this afternoon on the way home to further dilute the mix.



Regards,



Steve Cass

 

[KKlingbeil]

I know of a guy that actually adds gasoline to his #2 diesel in the winter to winterize it so it will not gel. He has been doing this for 20 plus years with no problems. I dont know the ratio, but it doesn't gel at -15 to -20 F and hasn't had any bad effects on any of his equipment. Seems kind of crazy to me, but it works for him.

 

[aharman]

I recall from my experience in working on multi-fuel engines that concentrations of ~6% gasoline in diesel fuel yields a mixture that forms vapors in the fuel tank that are explosive at normal ambient temperatures of 70F. So don't get into that situation.



100% gasoline forms fuel tank vapors that are too rich to ignite.



100% diesel forms fuel tank vapors that are too lean to ignite.



<1% concentration of gas in diesel shouldn't be a problem.

 

[BIGNASTY]

If the truth be known the guy dropping the fuel in the tank at the station left 20 or 30 gal of gas in the plumbing of his tank truck from the load before the diesel he dropped anyway.

 

[HBarlow]

If the truth be known the guy dropping the fuel in the tank at the station left 20 or 30 gal of gas in the plumbing of his tank truck from the load before the diesel he dropped anyway.

I've wondered about that but never remembered to ask a former fuel tanker driver.

Common sense suggests that fuel retailers like Flying J, etc. and fuel tanker fleet owners wouldn't use separate and specific trailers for each grade of gasoline and diesel. Now we know the industry secret!

 

[BIGNASTY]

Harvey I dont know about any place other that Commiecalif flying J and Pilot load at the same rack's we did and for the most part they are product specify trucks. But when the need comes up they load what they need how they need it. Chevron is going thru a huge problem in Riverside county Calif. for their diesel seems like some were not draining all the Gas form their tanks and loading diesel on top. The fed's came down hard on Chevron for this when they preformed a flash test to make sure the customer's get what they pay for and at least in Riverside County they weren't. Now the driver has to fill out a form to say that he made sure it was drained of gas and this somehow releves Chevron from any wrong doing. If the driver gets caught loading on top of gas with diesel who know's what will happen. Ill bet the driver will not drop fuel with anybody for ever. Its a huge industry but if the word get out on a driver doing wrong it's nation wide. As for the driver they are the on the bottom of the food chain and well you can figure the rest. But you would be amazed at the amount of Gas that is in Diesel tanks

 

[CharlieFoxtrot]

Long story short, I ran out of fuel with no diesel available for miles. I looked in my toolbox, then put some motor oil, ATF and fuel treatment in my tank to barely limp (chug) to the next _gas_ station. I hit their convenience store for some veggie oil and charcoal starting fluid get to the next station with diesel. Before hitting the road (construction zone, no shoulders), just in case that mixture was a bit thick, I put in $1 worth of gas. That's 1/3 gal, same as you. Ran great on that toxic mix for 5 miles, when I topped off with 35 gal of fuel. That was 6 months ago; no problems since.



Rest easy...



kevin

 

[WestTN]

That would be a very low percentage close to 1% and should not be a problem.