What will unleaded gas do to a diesel

[danieljones]

I know this is the wrong forum but I know you guys can answer this. A friend of mine bought an 02 about six months ago and was runnig very low on fuel. went to fill up told the guy to fill it with diesel and ran the the bathroom for a break then went in and got a six pack. Got his receipt and wow it took 35. 24 gallons "has a 36 gallon tank" left dot about four blocks away made a hell of a noise then died on the spot. The jackass filled it with unleaded gas:--) My question to all of you is what damage would this do?? The attendant has already said it was totally his fault and the wonder will pay to have it fixed but what will it take to fix it???

Thanks to all

Dan

 

[danieljones]

nobody knows????????

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Dan,



I don't know all of the complications of this but here are a few...

The entire system will need to be purged and flushed clean using diesel.

The injectors may have suffered damage since they are designed to run diesel, not gas through them so possible seal/seat damage .

Injection pump will likely need to be bench tested to assure tolerances are ok, and no damage was done from this.



Did the truck just stop running like the fuel supply was cut off or did it stop like it seized??

It should NOT be started again for any reason until the entire fuel system has been purged, the tank drained and reprimed.

Fuel filter must be changed, and injector popoff pressures should be tested an confirmed as well.

Since diesel has an entirely different flash point than gas, I'd be concerned about cylinder damage depending on distance travelled and the symptoms/sounds when it quit running too.



Geezz, I've never been faced with something like this so I'd like all the guys to jump in with their thoughts. .



BTW, I'm really sorry this happened too, at least the guy is being honest and stepping up to the responsibility for this,,, that's rare these days. .



Bob.

 

[danieljones]

Fro mwhat I can gather it seized, I said it made a hell of a noise shuddered and then nothing. He walked back to the gas station "didn't get that far" laid into the pump jockey and almost beat him to mush. he called his boss and he arrainged a tow and dropped it at the local dealer. I was just trying to give him some info on what to watch?? I am sure this will be a hefty bill for somebody.

Thanks to all that reply

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Dan,



He should ask if the dealer has a bore scope. I'd be interested in seeing the cylinder walls and any damage that may have been done.

A leakdown test will help determine if the cylinders are holding pressure or if ring/cyl damage was done.



Bob.

 

[danieljones]

WOW that bad? I thought the engine might be toast but I didn't want to say anything till I talked with you guys.

Thanks again

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

The properties of diesel are quite different from those of gas.

The combustion temp is different, the burn rate, lubrication properties, burn temps from combustion, start of combustion, (remember that our engines fire based on compression not a timed spark).

The tolerances within an injection pump are literally a few thousandths of 1mm in many cases.

I'd want the pump put on a flow bench, and the injectors pulled for testing/balancing.

A VERY close inspection of the cylinder walls.

Oil drain and inspection for piston/cylinder/ring particles and possible an oil analysis as well to determine any minute quantities of metals not visible to the eye.



I think that these plus other diagnostics should be done ( I'd want it done on mine if it were me. ) and they can be rationalized by telling whomever that this will help prevent any future come back should it quite in the next 6 months.



Bob.

 

[AlK]

What a bummer!!

Your friend should go and see the manager and show him a copy of the receipt and tell him that they will be held responsible for any damage that may have been caused. At a minimum I would think that the injectors and the injection pump would need to be disassembled to ascertain whether any damage was caused. With the problems that a number of the second gen 24 valve trucks are having with the lift pump, which I don't know whether it can be inspected and repaired, it probably should be replaced with a new one.

---

Al

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Right on the money AL. .



Hold on I'm calling PDR right now... I'll try to get an answer for you about what is a MUST and what's not.....



Bob

 

[Philip]

With gas having a higher burn rate than diesel. I would bet that the cylinder walls are gone. Also remember gas is made to burn. But in the case of it going into a diesel. It didn't burn. It exploded "uncontrolled" this can cause the worse type of damage. Scored cylinder walls. Injector tips knocked off. If it knocked one off. Then that piston and wall and head are gone to.



That is just the start of the problems. Lets see what PDR has to say also. My thoughts. That station just bought a "new Engine" not a rebuilt.

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Ok, here's the scoop... ...



I spoke to Piers from PDR and he says... ... .....



Engine damage is very unlikely.

Injector damage is also unlikely.

Pump damage is a fair possibility.



Purge all the lines, fuel lines from/to tank, clean out tank, purge injector lines, replace fuel filter with new one after purging system.

Use some conditioner in the fuel (My idea= double dose)

Fill with diesel of course, and then crack injector lines and bleed off any residual. Once lines are producing diesel only, tighten up and start truck.

You'll know if damage was done to VP pump.

Do NOT sign a release until you have a few hours on it.

Piers suggest that you tell them you'd like a couple weeks running time and if all is ok then you'll sign a release for further problems, but not until then.



How's that for quick, I am never dissapointed with Piers...



Good luck and let us know how it goes...



Bob.

 

[danieljones]

Thanks to all I will forward him this thread and let him make his own decision. i still think if it was me I would want a new engine the truck has less than 5K on it and what about the factory warranty, would be affected at all?? I am certainlly happy that I check what they are putting in the tank I have caught one pump jockey reaching for the unleaded nozzle.

Thank again everybody

Dan

 

[midwestdually]

personally i never let anyone else pump fuel for me and most of the time i double and triple check myself since the diesel is located right in the middle of all the gas... . what a stupid place to put it!

 

[JLEONARD]

There was an article in the TDR magazine a few issues back where the author described that situation. I forget who it was, but the truck was ok in the end as I recall.

Midwest, I'm with you... I always pump my own, that way I can blame myself if I frig it up... ... .....

Jay

 

[jdurham]

Jay is right. In issue 38 page 64, Bill Swails (EarthRoamer) did exactly the same thing and his was fine.



Jim

 

[jdurham]

Jay is right. In issue 38 page 64, Bill Swails (EarthRoamer) did exactly the same thing and his was fine.



Jim

 

[Deezul1]

A friend had this happen on a 1st gen and it quit and had to be towed and now 2 years later is running just fine so I would guess major engine damage is not a problem but those fancy electronical pumps and stuff may be a little delicate.

 

[DPKetchum]

I've had numerous dodge's towed in with gas in them. Most all of then the owners did early in A. m. half awake. Glad awake enough not to run over someone. But anyhow saw a few a month and never saw any damage done. All shut down real quick and towed in. One guy filled up with 103 octane racing fuel and did'nt wonder when he paid over 3 bucks a gallon!

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Deezul1,



I left that part out of what PDR told me,,, ok I shoulda put it in for all the rest of us...



Apparently the good ole' VE don't give a rats rump, just drain the fuel, put on a new filter and go at 'er... ... .



The VP, being more touchy and electronic is a ?mark. With the problems that have cropped up, it may, or may not like it at all.



Still, I can't believe that the engine wouldn't have some complaining to do though... . you'd think something would take a hit in terms of wear, or something... . on the up side... BONUS !!!

I guess they're hard to hurt. . works for me... .



Bob.

 

[daveshoe]

A local station asked me why I ran fuel on the ground and stuck my finger in it. I told him that anybody that puts gas and diesel pumps side by side with the same color pump handle can always expect the smell test from me