I am actually posting this for someone else that had a REAL PROBLEM tonight. I pulled into a truck stop in northern Idaho tonight where the diesel is 0.20 cheaper and saw that he added 15 gallons of gas to his 05’ Cummins. The guy was a WWII vet and on crutches, has his wife and dogs in the rig and was basically stranded. As I live just down the road I offered to tow him, siphon the stuff out (if we could find a container) or let him stay at my place till the morning. They were from Grand Coulee’ WA. which is hours away….and the worst part, it was raining and cold. Anyway, it was at a popular truck stop so he called someone to come out and drain the contaminated fuel and get him and his cold wife and dogs on the way…….sad part…people were being sarcastic inside the store about it…brand new Cummins, WWII vet, on crutches, simple mistake.

Anyway, he did not try to start the engine. What should he do? Siphon all the fuel out? What will happen if you start or drive when this happens?

 

That's a tough one.. I don't know how tolerant the new injection pumps are on the new common rail system of thinned out diesel fuel.
I guess the sure thing would be to drain it all and refill with the good stuff. Maybe draining 10 gal. or more may be enough, I don't know. At least he didn't start it!

 

Its good he did not start it. That means there is still good diesel in the fuel lines and in the filter canister. Drain the tank, refill with good diesel, and pour in some good fuel additive. Should be good to go.

 

I agree with jr there...

I heard stories of people running on a 1-2 gallon of gasoline in a diesel without hurt... But 15 is way too much gasoline for even the older trucks. I would drain as much as you can and refill with diesel and give it a double shot od additive (power service or similar) and gor for it.

 

Agreed.

So long as he never tried to start it, drain well and refill. Having diesel in the lines, cannister and pump is the important thing. Once it was refilled with fresh fuel the slight dillution of gasoline would be negligible.

If he had tried to start the truck and pulled gasoline into the HPCR system that would be a different story!

 

tanderson2002us, my hat is off to you. Nice gesture. It's a shame that there are not more people out there like you. Those guys talking about it are just jerks (this is a fairly simple mistake). Especially for someone of age.

I agree with all the others. Drain the tank, dump in some additive (allot to be safe), and get it on down the road.

Now, what to do with the gasoline tainted diesel? Dilute it with more diesel? or just dump it? Maybe a 55 gallon drum, and add a little at a time to the tank? In a 12 valve, no problem, in your 2002, I would be concerned. Kevin

 

As a quick update, I got a call from the guy last night and he let me know that everything turned out o.k. They drained the fuel including the canister and re-fueled. Then made it home to Grand Coulee, WA. As far as the kind gesture goes, I belive what goes around comes around and was glad to help. Now had he driven a Powder Stroke...I dunno!

Anyway, turns out he is a distributor or saleman or something for Amsoil....... Hmmmmmmmmm.

The good Lord works in mysterious ways!

 

Good karma (or truckma?)!!!

~Rob

 

tanderson,

I too, want to thank you for being kind to the elderly gentleman.

Remember guys, he is someones dad. When my late Father was getting up in years, he, unknown to us, had cancer in his brain. Dad did some strange things in those last years. Praise be to God that there seemed to always be a road angel like tanderson nearby to help out.

Thanks again buddy.

 

I can see how an honest mistake can happen, it's very easy if you fuel up at BP station.
They are all green and yellow, I had some problems distingushing the correct button to push more than once.
Usually diesel is a green button, but the have them all green at BP....

I stay away from the brand if I can.

Nice gesture, by the way.

 

Yeah, good work helping not just being a part of the fun making on-lookers. Shame on them. Heck, you don't even have to be old or on crutches for that mistake to happen. I can see that happening to anyone. Gotta be careful.

 

A tip of the hat to you Tanderson.

I can't say I've filled up the truck with gasoline, but have twice stopped at the gas pumps and jumped out before realizing my mistake. <then do the quick look around to see if anyone saw me, and then jump back in and move to the diesel fuel pump....>

But, who do you call in the evening for someone to drain 30 gallons out of your tank? <Just in case .................> I don't think places like Royal Farms have numbers like this stuck up on the board by the door.

 

I put 1 gallon of gas in my 1997 CTD on accident. The tank was empty, so I filled the rest up with diesel, and never looked back. Never had any problems that I coudl tell.

 

God Bless the people out there that give a hand. Its what makes the world go around. I hope everybody takes this in. Respect the elderly, and most of all respect the elderly that fought for our freedom. God bless you bud.