Gasoline contamination truck ran and died

10681 Views 20 Replies 9 Participants Last post by airforcetruck, Jan 12, 2022

Turbine Doc

Discussion Starter · Jul 24, 2005

Guys I want to make this a FAQ so serious replies only please;

Here is the scenario, "I forgot it was a Diesel and filled it with unleaded" it ran for 2 blocks then quit, what do I do, did I break it?

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

Texas Diesel Guy

· #2 · Jul 24, 2005

I get almost one pump or truck a month thats full of gasoline. It's usually the same story, either "Oh the driver must have done it" or "that stupid kid at the full service station did it". And if you can prove that its the service stations fault, then you can make them liable for any damage done.

Oddly, the most common complaint is black smoke and hard start hot.

I've only seen one DS pump sieze due to gasoline, but it can cause considerable wear even if it doesn't sieze up.

knkreb

· #3 · Jul 24, 2005

Wait, the MODERATOR did this? or someother person he wishes to remain un-named.

Turbine Doc

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 24, 2005

Nope weren't me mine is running just fine I've just returned from vacation in Va, Service truck where my Brother In Law works is down & out for the count new guy on the job there forgot about it being Diesel, I'll get full details tomorrow, the owner my Brother In Laws boss is in my Sunday school class, it's a 6.5 but I don't know anything else, yr, mechanical or tron IP, NA or Turbo truck started life as a "tater chip" delivery truck.

Turbine Doc

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 24, 2005

Texas Diesel Guy said:
I get almost one pump or truck a month thats full of gasoline. It's usually the same story, either "Oh the driver must have done it" or "that stupid kid at the full service station did it". And if you can prove that its the service stations fault, then you can make them liable for any damage done.

Oddly, the most common complaint is black smoke and hard start hot.

I've only seen one DS pump sieze due to gasoline, but it can cause considerable wear even if it doesn't sieze up.

TDG new filter-flush, drain, & refill with Diesel sufficient?

D.Camilleri

· #6 · Jul 24, 2005

Drain the fuel, as much as possible. Add something to bring the lubricity of the fuel up to try and save the pump (could be too late already) I have been having real good luck with vegtable oil in improving the lubricity of the fuel. Possibly remove top of injection pump if mechanical and drain the fuel in it and refill with marvel mystery oil mixed with diesel. Replace fuel filter.

2017 3500HD CCLB Black on Black LTZ Loaded L5P, Leveled with custom UCA's and air bags, Banks Derringer with I dash,Banks CAI, Banks Pedal Monster, removed exhaust restrictor, Ranch Hand bumper with 18K superwinch talon, Curt 20k puck hitch, 60 gallon aluminum transfer tank with electric pump, Onan Quiet Diesel 5500 for extra weight in the bed, Cepek Trail Country EXP 295/70R18 on Ultra Predator II Black/Machined 18x9
2018 Solitude 310GK fifth wheel with a 12' Haulmark tag trailer to haul toys in.
1997 Jeep TJ, Currie 8.8 high pinion axles front and rear with ARB air lockers, 4.56, 5 on 5.5 with warn hub kit, Atlas II transfer case with Klune V doubler, 4 inch Currie Lift and 35x12.50x15 Mickey Thompson MTZ on 15x10 Mickey Thompson wheels, Ramsey 9500 winch, hydraulic ram assist steering, on board welder and on board air, custom aluminum fuel tank.

knkreb

· #7 · Jul 24, 2005

Quick draining method may be using the lift pump to get the most of this "junk" fuel out. Of course the ultimate would be dropping the tank.

How 'bout just pulling the line off to the IP and feed it a nice cocktail of MMO and diesel (and see if maybe this guy could save himself from unemployment) and if the engine/IP will work again before getting too involved. That way you could decide if you need a pump job, or just a purge.

Texas Diesel Guy

· #8 · Jul 24, 2005

Turbine Doc said:
TDG new filter-flush, drain, & refill with Diesel sufficient?

Running 10% gas or less with a lubricity additive is fine, so draining the system by hot wiring the supply pump and using the drain cock would be the easiest solution. I wouldn't even worry about the fuel filter unless it needs to be serviced anyway.

gmctd

· #9 · Jul 24, 2005 (Edited)

Busy busy busy Tim (talkin' cummins, here), but all good advise, above.

May have hurt the IP if very high mileage, but if so IP replacement is necessary anyway.

Other than that, if it were my truck - purge tank, supply AND return lines, filter cannister, change filter.

Fresh fuel with lubricity improver in tank.

Hand-fill filter cannister with fuel and double lubricity improver, for purging inj pump.

Purge inj pump by bleeding injectors with return line to tank disconnected.

And, a word to "that kid down at the station" -

D O N ' T D O I T , A G A I N ! ! ! ! ! ! !

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Texas Diesel Guy

· #10 · Jul 24, 2005

gmctd said:
D O N ' T D O I T , A G A I N ! ! ! ! ! ! !

LOL, no joke

0lee

· #11 · Jul 24, 2005

Pour about 1/2--1 quart of two-stroke-engine oil into the fuel tank when you refill, and do that on the next couple of tank fills (or on each fill, if you like).

You can use SVO for the same purpose, about 10%, but I'd prefer the oil.

It's a nice and cheap way of providing better lubricity.

Texas Diesel Guy

· #12 · Jul 24, 2005

Bottle of conditioner usually runs $20 or less, and treats several tanks. Two stroke oil is cheap, but its better to get the right stuff. Get the good stuff with cetane improver and the conditioner usually pays for itself in fuel economy.

Turbine Doc

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jul 24, 2005

I'll donate some of my FPPF to him, got to stay in good graces with him he runs an AC&R shop so far because of my Brother In Law working for him I get any of my AC problems fixed at cost.

Turbine Doc

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jul 25, 2005

Okay got my 1st look at it, turns out the vehicle in question is a 84 6.2 in a K30 delivery van, pulled the fuel filter no Diesel odor at all, strictly gas. Now am waiting for owner to drain the tank. This is my 1st time popping a hood or cowl in this instance on a 6.2. Mechanical lift pump IIRC, any tips on purging this thing, I pulled a plug from the top of the filter mounting boss, looks like a vent fitting can I prime it with fuel & FPPF there, while cranking what line is return line that needs to be removed. Lastly is a 84 6.2 close enough for my 90 GM manual to be of any use?

knkreb

· #15 · Jul 26, 2005

Turbine Doc said:
Now am waiting for owner to drain the tank. This is my 1st time popping a hood or cowl in this instance on a 6.2. Mechanical lift pump IIRC, any tips on purging this thing,

wrap your lips around the fuel line, and start suckin' . . . the old fuel out!!

D.Camilleri

· #16 · Jul 26, 2005

TD,
Your 90 manual might be of some help. Return line is rubber line on top of pump. I would remove top of pump and then remove allen bolt at rear of pump, this will allow all of the fuel to drain. Add some lubricity improver with diesel into cavity and reinstall top cover. Be carefull of the governor mechanism, I usually put the cover down about 1/4 inch forward of the bottom half and then slide it into place, this will allow the solenoid lever to engage with the governor linkage. Next step would be to siphon fuel from tank, then blow out fuel lines. Replace filter, but crank over engine with old filter in place after clean fuel has been put in tank. Once diesel is flowing from filter, change filter. Crack injector lines and try to purge gas from lines while cranking. Good luck.:grd:

2017 3500HD CCLB Black on Black LTZ Loaded L5P, Leveled with custom UCA's and air bags, Banks Derringer with I dash,Banks CAI, Banks Pedal Monster, removed exhaust restrictor, Ranch Hand bumper with 18K superwinch talon, Curt 20k puck hitch, 60 gallon aluminum transfer tank with electric pump, Onan Quiet Diesel 5500 for extra weight in the bed, Cepek Trail Country EXP 295/70R18 on Ultra Predator II Black/Machined 18x9
2018 Solitude 310GK fifth wheel with a 12' Haulmark tag trailer to haul toys in.
1997 Jeep TJ, Currie 8.8 high pinion axles front and rear with ARB air lockers, 4.56, 5 on 5.5 with warn hub kit, Atlas II transfer case with Klune V doubler, 4 inch Currie Lift and 35x12.50x15 Mickey Thompson MTZ on 15x10 Mickey Thompson wheels, Ramsey 9500 winch, hydraulic ram assist steering, on board welder and on board air, custom aluminum fuel tank.

Fred482`

· #17 · Jul 26, 2005

I use a suction bulb to remove the fuel from the I.P., all the way to the bottom of the housing. (The old "battery filler", red rubber bulb, black plastic spout, available from NAPA) Then I do what Dave says.

I would look at how the tank mounts in the vehicle. Some of the P-Vans were easy to drop the tank, two bolts, three lines and a wire. Some not so easy. If it looks like a "piece of cake", I'd drop it, remove the sending unit and mop out all the fuel. Yes, I use a small string kitchen mop! Just wring it out and repeat until dry. It gets any residual water/muck also.

blalley

· #18 · Jul 26, 2005

Had an owner of a constructon company show up years back.
walked forma few blocks down the road.
His new P/S quit, about 3 blocks from the station he bought fuel.
i told him I thought he put gas in it.
he was outraged that i would think he was dumb enough to do that.
we got his crew to tow it the few blocks to the shop with a chain.
soon as it was in the lot, I unscrewed the filler cap, smelled it and told him, 'yep, you got gas in there'
both tanks. plum full. seems he was heading out of town to go dove hunting.
had maybe a gallon to two in each tank when he filled up

well, he starts hollering now way, pumps must be mislabeled, wrong fuel in inground tanks, etc.
then proceeds to whip out the printed receipt from the pump (paid at pump with card)
and tell me to, 'look, heres the receipt, Diesel'
well i took it and looked at it, and had to break the news to him that the reciept was for unleaded, mid grade at that

man, was he pissed, and he done all this right in front of his entire crew

A tank drain, flush system, and some FPPF lubricity, and a few hours later he was down the road.
brian.

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Texas Diesel Guy

· #19 · Jul 28, 2005

Don't worry about trying to drain gas out of the injection pump, the fuel that you can get out won't affect anything, all you need is to get a good supply of diesel fuel to the pump the hydraulic head will purge itself along with the rest of the pump....that is, unless it siezed

There's a big rubber line feeding the supply pump held with hose clamps. Take it off and attach a longer hose that you can run from the supply line to whatever your going to put the gas in. Then you just need to wrap a rag around an air hose to pressure the tank a bit and you can purge pretty quick.

Once you get her filled up with diesel and lube additive, see if it starts. If it doesn't, crack an injector line and make sure its delivering fuel. If not, then the pump has to come off.

Turbine Doc

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jul 28, 2005

Update I went by yesterday to see if they had gotten the gas out of the tank, one of the guys sent to drain it said he could not figure out how to get it out, & could not snake a hose into the tank "it was blocked". Hmnnn a 1984 K30 series Diesel, boxy, side entry, service/delivery truck and complicated fuel filler neck ???

Well this is a HVAC companies duct cleaning truck, and probably the guy sent to pull the fuel was the kid that filled it with gas in the 1st place, limited mechanical ability probably gave up quickly seeing that an AC guy probably wasn't having no fun in the parking lot with sun blasting him.

They towed it to a dealer that drained the tank etc, and got it up & running again.

Thanks for all the help guys, we could have saved the owner some cha-ching, but maybe the need was greather than the cost. I don't have the rest of that story yet, maybe at Chuch Sunday I'll get the rest of it.

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