1983 Ford F-350 diesel dual tanks. My husband put 15.00 worth of diesel in the front tank went a couple blocks back to work and then about 10 miles coming home. There was a large puff of black smoke and then the truck died and would not even try to turn over. After towing it home several hours later it would try to turn over but had a very foul smell. After removing the fuel filter and draining it was GASOLINE. Of course the station won't admit it and because it was a cash sale there is no receipt for proof. My question is can the truck be saved and is it something we can do ourselves? This is our only vehicle and we cannot afford to take it in somewhere and must quickly get it fixed. Anyone have any ideas? PLEASE!!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif
PLease Help!!!!!!
1 - 20 of 108 Posts
I woudl suggest draining the tank if you can to ensure that you have a good supply of clean diesel. If not, fill the tank up totally with Diesel to dilute the fuel all you can. Add some DIESEL additive if you have it. Get a new Fuel filter and fill it up with Diesel fuel. Crack the injector nuts and crank it over a bit to purge the lines of air and gasoline and blow the gas vapor out of exhaust. Tighten them back up and try to start it. Check your oil as well to see if there is some contamination or water in there as well. Just to be sure that it looks good.
This is when an electric fuel pump would be nice. $15.00 worth of gasoline, so that is about 6 gallons of the bad stuff. I would drop the affected tank. That is too much to try and dilute. If you can, get a 5 gallon can of diesel and put 4.5 gallons of diesel in it. Then add a couple cans of any kind of diesel additive. Hook a hose to the suction side of the fuel pump and stick the other end in the diesel/additive. With hope, the engine will clear up and the injection pump and injectors were not harmed.
If that works, then drain the tank of as much as you can. Then put everything back to normal. Good luck, Tim
If that works, then drain the tank of as much as you can. Then put everything back to normal. Good luck, Tim
Thank you! I will print that out and try that. Is it okay if I hang on to your e-mail address for my husband in case he has any other ?'s? Someone also suggested bypassing the front tank and running directly off the rear tank (it was not affected). Do you think that would work if we put the diesel and additive in it and ran direct? Or could that cause back wash and contaminate that tank also? As you can tell I am not real bright about these things.
You may keep my email address, that is what it's there for! You can run off the other tank. Drain the fuel filter first. Do add a lot of additive to the good tank. After you drain the fuel filter, fill it with an additive in order to get lubrication to the injection pump and injectors. If you can, stick the return line into any can for a couple minutes. It will have gasoline in them and needs to be flushed. Good luck, and email anytime, Tim
Take the Injection pump fuel screw access plate off the left side of the injection pump. It's down low on the passenger side and is held on with two screws. You don't need to take it all the way off, just enough to empty the fuel out of the injection pump. By emptying the pump, the fuel filter and the tanks, you will be able to get it running on diesel again. Fill the fuel filter with Power Service, Howes Diesel Treat, or one of the other lubricity additives out there. Getting the gas out and the diesel in will be the trick. Once you get it running again, we will have to wonder how much damage was done to the injection pump, as gasoline has very poor lubricating qualities. Keep your batteries fully charged, and be sure to give the starter long breaks between cranks.
Well its good it shut itself down....now we can hope not too much in teh fuel system was damaged. I would do as these guys suggested and run off only the back tank until the front tankk can be drained completely. You're going to want to take teh IP inspection cover off as Mel said and drain that fuel, also, crank it over a bit with teh FSSand IP line disconnected until you're sure you have clean diesel fuel and follow Tim's instructions for purging the return system also. Good luck....that store screwed you guys...wish you had some recourse against them....it would be interesting to see if any other diesel owners in your area had problems with their fuel.
I used to live in Oregon, one of two states that do not allow self-service at the pump.
I had what happened to you happen to me twice. First time, it was on my '83 Chev G30 w/6.2l (substantially the same injection pump as the ones on our 6.9l Internationals), and I drove it eight miles before it died. Spun the primary filter off on the side of the road, and out came gasoline.
Since I did not dispense the gas, and the fuel door label clearly said, "Diesel Fuel Only", the station's insurance company picked up the tab of towing to a Chev dealer, having the injection pump flushed etc. I got a call saying it was ready to be picked up, I drove it one block and drove it right back: the van was blowing a lot of black smoke, and since we'd had the van since new, I knew what that wasn't normal. Turned out the dealer tried to cheap out and just flush out the gasoline. It ran OK, but lots of smoke, and lower power.
I insisted that they fix the smoke issue, so they replaced all injectors and the injection pump. That took care of all the problems. Cost: about $2300.
Almost exactly one year later I had the same thing happen to my '82 VW Rabbit diesel. That one only made it 2.5 miles before dying, and knew right away what happened. Same scenario with the station's insurance company, and in this case they bought the car from me (totalled it), I bought it back from them for $100 and did my own purge & flush, and it also smoked badly after that.
Moral of these stories: you are going to need to replace the injection pump, period. Possibly also the injectors. The engine itself will be fine, but the injection system is toast. Take it from someone who's been there.
I had what happened to you happen to me twice. First time, it was on my '83 Chev G30 w/6.2l (substantially the same injection pump as the ones on our 6.9l Internationals), and I drove it eight miles before it died. Spun the primary filter off on the side of the road, and out came gasoline.
Since I did not dispense the gas, and the fuel door label clearly said, "Diesel Fuel Only", the station's insurance company picked up the tab of towing to a Chev dealer, having the injection pump flushed etc. I got a call saying it was ready to be picked up, I drove it one block and drove it right back: the van was blowing a lot of black smoke, and since we'd had the van since new, I knew what that wasn't normal. Turned out the dealer tried to cheap out and just flush out the gasoline. It ran OK, but lots of smoke, and lower power.
I insisted that they fix the smoke issue, so they replaced all injectors and the injection pump. That took care of all the problems. Cost: about $2300.
Almost exactly one year later I had the same thing happen to my '82 VW Rabbit diesel. That one only made it 2.5 miles before dying, and knew right away what happened. Same scenario with the station's insurance company, and in this case they bought the car from me (totalled it), I bought it back from them for $100 and did my own purge & flush, and it also smoked badly after that.
Moral of these stories: you are going to need to replace the injection pump, period. Possibly also the injectors. The engine itself will be fine, but the injection system is toast. Take it from someone who's been there.
Hey Kaacres,
In what state do you reside? You should have some recourse. Are you sure the gas attendant pumped the gasoline? There has got to be someone that can help you. Tonight or tomorrow, call 211. That's INFOLINE Tell them what happened, and they can point you in the right direction. Tell you who to call. You shouldn't pay one cent for their mistake. Tim
In what state do you reside? You should have some recourse. Are you sure the gas attendant pumped the gasoline? There has got to be someone that can help you. Tonight or tomorrow, call 211. That's INFOLINE Tell them what happened, and they can point you in the right direction. Tell you who to call. You shouldn't pay one cent for their mistake. Tim
Joined
·
136 Posts
I fear this happening myself...which is why I try to fill up at the same station everytime. It has a seperate island for diesel so they can't screw up. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif
On a similar note...I have heard rumor we can pump our own diesel in Oregon since it is non-flamable. If I ever find this on the books I will carry a copy with me everytime I pull up and start pumping my own fuel. It takes so long to wait for someone to come over and pump it for you. Is it really that dangerous? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
On a similar note...I have heard rumor we can pump our own diesel in Oregon since it is non-flamable. If I ever find this on the books I will carry a copy with me everytime I pull up and start pumping my own fuel. It takes so long to wait for someone to come over and pump it for you. Is it really that dangerous? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
If it should come to pass that you need to replace the major system parts, the total will be about $550. MWFI (www.mwfi.com) gets $299 for the IP. The core charge is $100, but is not charged for 30 days. Send the old one back promptly and no core charge. I paid $24 each for new injectors, no core required. The return kit was about $30+. They were very helpfull. It sounds like you had best ask for help if you need to do this yourself. The job is easyX2. Easy to screw up, and easy to do it right. The help is here, free, and the best you could possibly get.
Good luck,
John
Good luck,
John
Okay here's the deal now. This is our first diesel and while my husband knows his way around other motors very well he is kind of in the dark on some of this. We switched over to the back tank, blew out the lines, removed the fuel filter and filled it with diesel, put diesel and additive in the rear tank, but we aren't sure about the IP or where it is located. Our book doesn't show anything about the fuel system for a diesel.
I am trying to remeber everyones questions because I don't want to appear rude, I am just beside myself on this and we can't afford to take it in and have it done. We both feel very confident in the advice we are getting here and just need a little more help. All of you guys have been a great help.
One question was what state? Oklahoma.
It was self serve put the pump nozzle was green and clearly marked diesel. When we spoke to the guy (Iranian and no we aren't prejudiced just a statement), he said "Well I don't even know if you got fuel here so I am not going to say anything." Which leads me to believe that he knows something but we have no way to prove it.
If I missed anyone I apologize I am trying to keep up, please bear with me. You all are wonderful! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
I am trying to remeber everyones questions because I don't want to appear rude, I am just beside myself on this and we can't afford to take it in and have it done. We both feel very confident in the advice we are getting here and just need a little more help. All of you guys have been a great help.
One question was what state? Oklahoma.
It was self serve put the pump nozzle was green and clearly marked diesel. When we spoke to the guy (Iranian and no we aren't prejudiced just a statement), he said "Well I don't even know if you got fuel here so I am not going to say anything." Which leads me to believe that he knows something but we have no way to prove it.
If I missed anyone I apologize I am trying to keep up, please bear with me. You all are wonderful! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
5puller, I fill mine every time, gas is flammable, the whole process of putting it up on a 6x6 block to fill it is a pita. If the station attendant tries to fill it they always spill diesel all over the side of it /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/vomit.gif
[ QUOTE ]
If the station attendant tries to fill it they always spill diesel all over the side of it
[/ QUOTE ]
Yea, verily!
I let them do it, but I always made a pain of myself, telling them that I didn't want it brimmed (on the G30, it would run inside the van and I'd have to smell it for a week) or see any on the paintwork or they WOULD be cleaning it off. That, and trying to use the same two stations usually got decent results, but I'd much rather have filled them myself.
If the station attendant tries to fill it they always spill diesel all over the side of it
[/ QUOTE ]
Yea, verily!
I let them do it, but I always made a pain of myself, telling them that I didn't want it brimmed (on the G30, it would run inside the van and I'd have to smell it for a week) or see any on the paintwork or they WOULD be cleaning it off. That, and trying to use the same two stations usually got decent results, but I'd much rather have filled them myself.
Joined
·
1,850 Posts
The Injection Pump (IP) is on the top of the engine, front and center. 8 lines come out of it and go to the injectors. You can drain about a cup of fuel out of the IP by removing the small plate on the passenger side of the IP. The 2 bolts are 5/16ths, be sure to get the rubber gasket back in place.
On edit: I go through Oklahoma on some of my drives to Tennessee, I hope that I miss that fuel station.
On edit: I go through Oklahoma on some of my drives to Tennessee, I hope that I miss that fuel station.
Joe,
Thank you he found it! But now he has to get to bed (has to be up at 4:30 for work). Will you be online tomorrow night? Hopefully once we get that drained tomorrow evening it will work. But we will probably need more help. You guys are truly a Godsend!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!!! If any of you ever to get to Oklahoma you got a place to stay!!!!!!!!!!!
PS the station is in Norman, OK it is a Conoco (independently owned unfortunately) on the corner of 12th and Robinson. Don't EVER do business there. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif
Thank you he found it! But now he has to get to bed (has to be up at 4:30 for work). Will you be online tomorrow night? Hopefully once we get that drained tomorrow evening it will work. But we will probably need more help. You guys are truly a Godsend!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!!! If any of you ever to get to Oklahoma you got a place to stay!!!!!!!!!!!
PS the station is in Norman, OK it is a Conoco (independently owned unfortunately) on the corner of 12th and Robinson. Don't EVER do business there. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif
1st order of business is to get the truck up and running ASAP. The injection pump is mounted on the top of the motor directly behind where the oil filler is. (looks a little like the body of an octopus with 8 legs pointing towards the back of the truck) If you can get a hold of a bottle of Stanadyne performance formula (blue label) from a diesel shop it will help extend the life of the injection pump. add some directly into the fuel filter, and add some to the rear tank. You will need to crank the starter for a good long time to get both the gasoline and the air out of the lines, so if you have a battery charger let it charge the batteries for a while. If the block heater works on your truck plug it in 2 hours before you try to start it(even though its warm out it will make the truck fire up easier) Don't try to turn the starter for more than 20-30 seconds at a time, you don't want to cook it. let it sit for a minute or two after each time you try to start it. Make sure that any lines or drains that were opened are completely tight and sealed before you start. With any luck it should start after 3-4 tries and maybe you will get away only some inconvenience.
I went through a similar situation with some petrol chemists in brooklyn when I was working for a moving company. We bought 2 gallons of diesel the next day in a clean container and got a receipt. After a long letter writing exercise Mobil wound up covering a $650 towing bill and $400 service when we offered to send them a sample of the "diesel". The station lost the franchise a year later when they started mixing water and kerosene instead of gas in the diesel tanks. Don't get angry - get focused.
I went through a similar situation with some petrol chemists in brooklyn when I was working for a moving company. We bought 2 gallons of diesel the next day in a clean container and got a receipt. After a long letter writing exercise Mobil wound up covering a $650 towing bill and $400 service when we offered to send them a sample of the "diesel". The station lost the franchise a year later when they started mixing water and kerosene instead of gas in the diesel tanks. Don't get angry - get focused.
Joined
·
136 Posts
Ok...I found the statute...ORS 480.315 It goes on and on about why we can't pump our own gasoline in Oregon. Bottom line you can't pump "gas" because it is a Class 1 flammable liquid...duh! But diesel however only defined as a class 2 combustible liquid (non-flammable)...because it has a flash point over 100°F. However...according to the state fire marshall it is up to the station and their policy if you can pump or not. But there can be no fine from the marshall for pumping #2. Gotta love a state that tries so hard to protect you! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/vomit.gif Chum...you gotta get those tanks fixed...especially with that big camper on there.
Bummer about the station. Maybe you can find others that had some problems too. Check a 10mile radius for broken down diesels. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/phoney.gif
Bummer about the station. Maybe you can find others that had some problems too. Check a 10mile radius for broken down diesels. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/phoney.gif
1 - 20 of 108 Posts
