Gasoline in Diesel

[Archive]

Folks, I need your advice. This one really hurts.

I recently let someone very dear to me use my beloved 92 Dodge Ram with the 5. 9 litre diesel for a fishing trip. When he had the truck refueled on the way to the lake it was unknowingly to him filled up with gasoline. Upon his return I asked for the fuel slips so that I can maintain the mileage log for the truck. To my horror I discovered that one of the fill-ups was for gasoline. To confirm this I drained some fuel from the fuel/water separator filter and clearly gasoline smell is present. The fuel tank capacity is approximately 110 litres.

The mileage driven with the mixed diesel/gas fuel is as follows.

Point A: the tank was topped up with 32. 4 litres of gasoline (a mixture of 29% gasoline and 71% diesel) and the vehicle was driven 410 kilometers.

Point B: the tank was topped up with 43. 4 litres of diesel ( now a mixture of 18% gasoline and 82 % diesel) and the vehicle was driven 270 kilometers home.

Questions.
1) Obviously what is left in the tank must be drained?
2) What is the likelihood of any damage having been done to the fuel pump?
3) What is the likelihood of any damage having been done to the injectors?
4) What is the likelihood of any damage having been done to the engine?
5) What other parts or components could have been damaged?
6) ????
7) ????

 

[Archive]

I would throw some sort of fuel lubricity additive in your tank, maybe 2-3 times the normal amount, and run it through. Top your tank off with diesel right away as well, and the gasoline should be pretty well diluted out. One thing in your favor--you have the p7100 injection pump that is oil-lubricated anyway, so I doubt you did much damage. Draining the tank would be a pain in the hiney #ad


Vaughn

 

[Archive]

Did he have it filled full service? If he did shouldn't the station pay for the repairs.

 

[Archive]

The 92's have the ve-44 rotary pump, which does use the fuel to lubricate the pump. The p7100's are on the 94 and up engines
Gene Hayford
92 350 4x4

 

[Archive]

Hey Doc
If I remember right from my school days. Diesel burns slower. Or was I daydreaming that day. #ad

 

[Archive]

Had almost the same thing happen to me last month (reason I joined TDR) but I only had 6 gallons of unleade in tank (some advertising !#$@% put green covers on the pump handles so an idiot like me (who is trained by color) picked up the green handle and started to fuel only to find it was unleaded. A tech rep @ cummings told me the only danger to engine was fuel pump but to limit wear to add a quart of quality motor oil to my fuel. On monday cummings sent me the following which is actually more important due to explosive nature of the mixed fuels.
>> John. Thanks for your E-mail message.
>>
>> Cummins Engine Company advises that no amount of gasoline in diesel fuel
>is
>> acceptable, not so much about causing damage to the engine, but because
of
>the
>> safety factors. Here is the quote from our 'Fuels for Cummins Engines'
>> brochure:
>>
>> WARNING: UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD GASOLINE OR ALCOHOL BE USED TO
>DILUTE
>> DIESEL FUEL. THIS PRACTICE CREATES AN EXTREME FIRE HAZARD AND UNDER
>CERTAIN
>> CIRCUMSTANCES AN EXPLOSIVE HAZARD. GASOLINE DILUTION IS NOT AN EFFECTIVE
>WAY TO
>> LOWER CLOUD POINT (20 VOLUME PERCENT GASOLINE ONLY LOWERS CLOUD POINT 4
>DEG. C [7
>> DEG. F]) AND IT LOWERS THE FUEL VISCOSITY, CETANE NUMBER, AND FLASH POINT.
>> ALCOHOL DILUTION WILL INCREASE THE CLOUD POINT.
>>
>> WARNING: VAPORS IN A FUEL TANK CONTAINING MIXTURES OF GASOLINE, GASOHOL
>OR
>> ALCOHOL WITH DIESEL FUEL BURN READILY. THERE IS A GREAT POTENTIAL FOR
>> EXPLOSIONS OR FIRES WITH THE FILLER CAP REMOVED DURING REFUELING
>OPERATIONS OR
>> DURING OPERATION WHEN THESE FUEL BLENDS ARE USED. STATIC ELECTRICITY
>DURING
>> REFUELING OPERATIONS COULD CAUSE IGNITION OF THE VAPORS UNLESS A GROUND
>WIRE IS
>> USED TO ELECTRICALLY CONNECT (BOND) THE VEHICLE TANK TO THE FUEL SOURCE
>TANK
>> WITH A FINAL CONNECTION BEING MADE WELL AWAY FROM ANY FUEL VAPORS.
>>
>> We have shared this information with others and suggested the fuel tank
be
>> drained completely, flushed if possible and refilled with No. 2 diesel
fuel
>> before operation the engine. As far as damage to the engine, if the fuel
>is
>> diluted enough (we have no figures for an amount) and the engine operated
>under
>> load with diluted fuel, the fuel pump and injectors would suffer
>accelerated
>> wear due to inadequate lubrication.
>>
>> Thank you for choosing Cummins power.
>>
>> Let us know if you have other questions, or if away from your computer
(or
>you
>> have a time-critical request that needs more urgent attention), feel free
>to
>> call us (toll-free, from North America) at 1-800-DIESELS (343-7357), or
>> 1-812-377-5000 (toll call, worldwide, ask for 800-DIESELS).
>>
>> Regards,
>> --
>> Powermaster
>> Customer Assistance Center
>> Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
>> Columbus, Indiana, USA
>> Email: powermaster@cummins.com
>> Mon, 27 Mar 2000, 8:16:00am EST
>>
>> Visit the Cummins PowerStore at "http://www.powerstore. cummins.com".
>>

------------------
'99 2500 QC 155"WB, White, 4x4, 4SP Auto, 3. 54 LSD, SLT, All power, Trailer and Camper Special Group, Keyless Entry, Lund Window Deflectors and Running Boards, Profile Plus Bug Shield. Had lots of Dodges since '72 but finally got of my butt and went diesel.

 

[Archive]

Thanks to all for your comments and advice. Sure get more information from the TDR members than some of the dealers. Sure glad I joined the TDR - worth every dollar.

I drained 75 litres out of the tank. This was a bit of a pain, had to take off the filler spout due to the fact that approximately 1 foot down from the spout there is a what looks like a small round ball. After that filled the truck up with 105 liters of diesel and added 1 liter of diesel lubricant/conditioner. So far the truck is running well (starts well, does not smoke), but I will continue to monitor the situation. I have contacted the gas station and informed them of the situation and they are referring it to their insurance company.

 

[Archive]

I had a simular experience in 1994 with a new truck. Short end of the story: Phillips 66 distributor mixed gas with diesel in the ground tanks. Union Pacific lab analyzed fuel in tank and measured 40% by distillation. Drove 300 miles back home on mixed fuel. Smelled fuel cap next day... ..... gas. Ran crappy all the way home, white smoke and no power. Returned next day to station for photos and sample. Disti fessed up and Phillips paid for tank draining, filter. Checked with Dodge and they did not feel it would be a problem. Sold truck with 120,000 miles and no problems. The vehicle now has about 138,000 miles and still runs like a top. Oh, the pump handle was green, marked "diesel". Everyone was very cooperative and the oil company offered to pick up any additional charges. Distributor confessed his mistake, and admitted to the mix. I understand truckers will run 10% in the winter.
good luck... ... ... ... and stroke-in.

------------------
98. 5 ISB 2500HD 4X4 SLT QC, 3. 54 forest green/camel leather, 5 spd. hood weather bra, cobra CB, Westech boost & pyro, Geno "A" pod, Dee Zee brds. Grover air horns, toaster LED's, HD light lens covers, bug deflector, J&J mud flaps, back up alarm, K&N, Guidon fiberglass tonneau, Ventvisors, Fuel door LED's, X-mission fltr. Fosgate/Clarion system, ABS, trailer tow, Aux rear suspension, factory clearance lamps, sliding rear window, Michelin LT265/75R16 LTX AT, RamZerks, 24' Reinell with tandem trailer. Ring removed.
"Quad-a-Saurus"