Unleaded in the tank

[Tuesdak]

I've had relatives and friends pump gas into their diesel tank. The fix has always been adding a couple of quarts of non ash 2-stroke oil, run it down to 3/4 tank, add another qt of 2-stroke, run it down to 1/2 tank, etc until you're satisfied.

In one case no 2;stroke was available so they used 30w dino.

In every instance there were no latent problems. That said, they did this quickly after the gas was pumped in. Not sure what the consequences would be if they drove many miles before adding the oil.

They got very lucky. It's gambling with the fuel system and severe engine damage. Do that with a CP4 and watch the bills start with the tow bill and then complete fuel system. Best advice: DO NOT START THE TRUCK! Tow it and have the tank drained. It's the least expensive least risk way to solve the problem.

2 Stroke oil isn't DPF friendly.

I cannot understate how annoyed I am about this, and I did not need to add this to the plate of things I have to get taken care of before my summer vacation, I SPEC our work trucks, maintain them, and this it the first time in 20y that I've had any issue. (maybe I'm lucky?) ... ( darn millennials! )... If this ends up being a fuel system replacement, I see a whole new wave of policies coming down and the end of many of our "small office" perks.

We all have had our hand on the Unleaded handle and maybe stopped just in time... It Happens. Is the employee good enough to write this off as training/education? With today's employee shortage they could find work elsewhere quickly. Perks sometimes make a job worth staying at. At the least they may not have any discomfort now to start looking. And you don't have to train a new employee(s). So and so FUBARED something and you punish everyone over it?

I have many memories of moving and helping others move... With several "company pickups" and co-workers involved. The company also paid movers for long distance moves.

Outside of diesel pickups: diesel fuel is rare as far as our ignorant education system is concerned. Likely the first diesel this employee has even operated and wondered why it was so oddly noisy. I suggest diesel fuel training is needed to get employees who simply have no idea it exists a clue. Also being able to realize they made a mistake by putting gas or DEF in the diesel tank. After all this could have happened on the job if this employee was told to fill it up for whatever reason. "We are running late. I am going to take a piss, fill the truck up..."

 

[bcbender]

So and so FUBARED something and you punish everyone over it?

Yeah, its not me, the big boss is the one who likes to punish all for a simple singular mistake(s), and has a very short memory of what others (mgrs) have done in the past and not been liable for. One should not throw rocks from their glass balcony but I digress; this is why I will drain and clean on my time, my shop, then send to dealer if I find metal or it runs rough as sag2 suggested.. Trying my level best to be the middle man between my guys and the boss. (check writer).

I plan to have it towed tomorrow to my shop and I will get it pumped out early next week, I'll keep you all posted on the outcome

 

[sag2]

Just wipe the tank out with a clean towel. The hardest part is getting rid of the gas/fuel. My kid would love to have that much for his burn pile!
Removing FCA is easy. Just make sure you have the correct size Torx, clean the head of the screw, and make sure you are on the inside screw straight so you don't strip out the head.

 

[bcbender]

Just wipe the tank out with a clean towel. The hardest part is getting rid of the gas/fuel.

Thank you for the help, anything special for the lift pump, or just submerge it in fresh diesel. I was going to call Geno's and order 2 filters, I didn't see a primary on this 2012, so just one to put in now and then change again after a tank or two... Do I need to order any crush washers for removing lines to blow out? I assume maybe on the CP-3 I may need one or two? I'm calling a roll back now, probably get going on the job Monday so I'd like to have parts on the way, Geno's is not far from me so usually a day or so is all I need....

My kid would love to have that much for his burn pile!

I plan to put the fuel in a 55drum and let it settle out, then I have some liquid gold to run in my ZTR ,,,.. the diesel will make nice fire starter..

 

[C M McCormick]

Company trucks why not sticker then with "diesel fuel only". This could be placed on the fuel door. Green colored caps to us diesel guys means diesel. Replace green caps with green caps that say "diesel".. Pay now or pay latter. just saying.

Craig

 

[bcbender]

yeah,,, I hear ya. It says "Diesel Fuel" on the gauge, one the door, and has a bright green cap on the filler neck...

 

[lpennock]

yeah,,, I hear ya. It says "Diesel Fuel" on the gauge, one the door, and has a bright green cap on the filler neck...

Guess you need to hire a trunk monkey to ride along and hop out and smack him in the head if he reaches for the gas nozzle.

 

[crispyboy]

Following along to hear the ending to this sad story.
What is an FCA?

My sister did this once to her husbands Duramax truck. Luckily she called me when she realized what she had done. I told her not to start it, call a rollback and take it somewhere to have the tank flushed. She was lucky....

 

[lpennock]

Following along to hear the ending to this sad story.
What is an FCA?

Fuel Control Actuator. Controls the rail pressure.

 

[HVAC2]

After reading this and knowing employees will never have the concern of ownership, no amount of education will help. I bet he doesn't know how to shift a manual. It's only going to get worse.
Let this be the start of a fleet of gasser's or better yet electric. It's your warning to move out of diesel.

 

[lpennock]

After reading this and knowing employees will never have the concern of ownership, no amount of education will help. I bet he doesn't know how to shift a manual. It's only going to get worse.
Let this be the start of a fleet of gasser's or better yet electric. It's your warning to move out of diesel.

Specs on the new F150 Lightening have real potential for contractor use. 220/300 mile range so now more every morning, just plug in at the end of the day. Built in AC outlets with reasonable power outlets so no need for an additional generator. etc.

 

[Mikey-KE7LBB]

Specs on the new F150 Lightening have real potential for contractor use. 220/300 mile range so now more every morning, just plug in at the end of the day. Built in AC outlets with reasonable power outlets so no need for an additional generator. etc.

Yep! Just remember to add that additional generator, and some gas when someone forgets to plug it in lol!!

All joking aside...

If the gas station is super close, and you still have diesel in the filter, you may get lucky with no damage at all.

 

[BigPapa]

We all have had our hand on the Unleaded handle and maybe stopped just in time... It Happens.

I was at an unfamiliar pump on a road trip once. I could NOT get the pump to turn on. I went to the office and got the attendant to come out and get it going. He pointed out immediately that I had the gasoline nozzle in my tank and was trying to push the diesel button.... Their gasoline nozzle had a green cover on it....

 

[bcbender]

OK, Update,

I have the tank drained, 33 gal (25 was unleaded), I was thinking to pour about a 1/2 gal of diesel in and mop it around, is that unnecessary or just let the residual fuel flash off? Next going to rinse the module with some diesel, clean the pickup screen on the pump and put back together. Then put in about 10gal of diesel, I could not find any Opti-lube XL locally so I ordered some (be here Monday) and picked up some Power Service Diesel Clean (silver bottle) at the AP store which says it has cleaning and lubricity components, figured it says endorsed by Cummins so there's that, I thought Id double down on it and start flushing out the system.

Step 1, Remove fuel filter and drain, blow line with air with drain line open and finish drain supply side, (replace filter with on of the two filters coming from Geno's today) Geno's is THE BEST!
Step 2, Remove FCA and inspect.
EDIT [ there is nothing in my service manual about removing the FCA other than "it is not serviceable" I know guys remove them, I assume I will not have a surprise of parts flying out when I pull it.]
Step 3 Loosen CP3 to fuel rail supply line and let drain (gravity) tighten
Step 4 Cycle KEY ON... and let lift pump push fresh diesel, with the return line at the tank in a waste tank. (probably 2 gal or so)
Step 5 Try to start???

I welcome any ideas of STEP 1.2 or 3.2 etc... Not sure which lines I can remove to blow with air but this is where I'm at today.

 

[Ozymandias]

Sounds like a plan, I'd do it the same I think.
To fill the tank I would also add half a quarter of cheap mineral (not synthetic!) 2-stroke oil prior to fill up. But that's me, I'm overly cautious.

 

[bcbender]

I would also add half a quarter of cheap mineral (not synthetic!) 2-stroke oil prior to fill up.

1/2 quart? In addition to the Diesel clean on a full tank? Is that OK for the DPF?
I was going to flush with 5gal of diesel and diesel clean double application, then put about 10 more gallons of Diesel with diesel clean normal application. to do the initial startup.. I have Optilube XL that will be here Monday for the first few tanks (fingers crossed)

 

[Ozymandias]

For a Single use it shouldn't harm to much. I wouldn't recommend it for use on a regular basis but here you want to safe a much more expensive part of the drive train and therefor it is the smaller evil.
Yes in addition to a full tank of diesel.

 

[bcbender]

I've blown out all the way up to the CP-3 inlet, is that FCA a difficult task?, Also is there a way to drain the common rail w/o taking everything apart,, I assume the LP side will flush itself from here.

 

[Ozymandias]

No FCA is easy über careful with the Torx bolts, seat the bit properly and loosen them with pressure applied so you don't slip. They have loctite on it from factory.

For the rail, you could take of #6 and blow it out from the intake.
But don't forget, you are working on the clean side of the fuel system there, every contamination you bring into has the possibility for catastrophic damage.

 

[bcbender]

every contamination you bring into has the possibility for catastrophic damage.

exactly why I don't want to mess with it...... YET

Thank you for the kind advise and help.

Brian