Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Gas in the Diesel....what can go wrong???

[snowracer69]

Hey all,



As I've stated many times before, I'm going to buy my Grandfather's 2001, 2500, CTD from him when he buys a new rig. Well, that day is drawing near (within two weeks probably), and he's getting serious about it. He went and did numbers today with a dealer, and so everything is in motion. He then called me, and told me a price that he would give his old one to me for(around $23,000, w/ 64,000 miles).



Anyway, he and I both have the same concern on this truck: At about 4,000 miles he filled her full of 89 octane gasoline... . around 26 gallons worth. Didn't realize it till he was 20 miles down the road and it quit. So, he went and drained the fuel from the filter, primed it w/ the lift pump, and drove on till it quit again. This continued for about 6 times of draining and priming till he got to the next town. At this town, the tank was syphoned, new filters installed, and he was on his way... . never seemed to hurt a thing. Then, at 10,000 miles, his liftpump was replaced under a recall notice... so that doesn't seem to be a worry to me.



What I did read in doing a search was that the VP44 will probably be severely damaged in the long run... . should it be gone by 64,000??? He doesn't want to sell me the pickup, nor do I want to buy it, if I'm going to be fixing stuff on it down the road due to this foul-up of his. I'm going to take his truck to town this week, to the Diesel-guru here and let him have a look at it. I don't really trust this guy though, from some of the things he's told me in the past... I need more opinions.



Also, this truck is currently 100% stock... . it won't be for long after I have it. I already have the money saved for gauges, DTT T/C and VB, Edge Comp, and probably DDII's. I'm sure this will put even more of a workload on the pump, causing even more premature failure... . should I not worry too much about it, BOMB it out, try to blow the pump under warranty and get a new one for free?



Sorry for the long post..... just a lot of excited questions. Oo. Oo.



BTW, anybody want a '98 Toyota Tacoma... it's real clean... asking $16,500. (It goes in the paper tomorrow).



Thanks for any help. Later, Josh.

 

[illflem]

The main problem you run into with gas in the diesel is injection pump damage from lack of lube. More damage is usually done with just a small amount of gasoline say 10% or less because the engine will continue to run, higher amounts and it dies. I don't see that you have a problem, go for it.

 

[McDowra]

I wouldn't let it bother me at all. I agree with illflem.

 

[Mundgyver]

Sounds like a good deal. I think your worries are premature. If your running good aditive once a month in your tank like most of us do, you should be fine. I say buy it. Yes injection pumps are a bit spendy, but if you are planning on mods, weather on this truck or a new one, the risk are the same. Besides that, you know the owner and have personal knowledge of everything that the truck has been through and how it was cared for, plus if you have questions, the previous owner sounds like he pretty much thinks your an allright guy if he afraid of selling you something he made a small mistake with. Go for it.

 

[snowracer69]

Well...

that's enough to convince me. My Grandparents left this morning for a week, and he left the Dodge in my care... Oo. Oo. Oo. Hmmm... a week of driving a Dodge w/ unlimited fuel... gosh, I could go anywhere. When he returns he's going to make the final deal on the new one, at which point I will have to sell the Toyota so I can buy the '01. Gonna be a miserable week of waiting.



Thanks for the input guys.



Later, Josh.