Boneheaded mistake

[gocards1177]

I put gasoline in my tractor this morning. Came close before but haven't actually done if before today. I'm currently using two 5 gallon jugs given my low use and fear of leaving a big tank unattended at our property.

This morning before work I was filling the tank with the first jug and I spilled a bit on myself carelessly. In my frustration I grabbed the gas can and poured about 1/2-1 gallons before realizing my mistake. I figure there was about 25 gallons total. I didn't run it. Called the dealer and they actually aid not to worry about 1 gallon in a tank that size. "Just top it off and forget it."

Probably would have been ok but I wanted to hedge by bet. So I went home, cut a plastic barrel in half, and used the new "bucket" to drain the tank into. I then put the tainted fuel in another barrel. And put 20 gallons of fresh diesel in the tractor. Ill get 2 more jugs worth in tomorrow, but from a tractor standpoint. I think I'm good. Drove it around for ten minutes this evening and it all seemed in order. I guess time will tell.

The drain plug looked like it had Teflon tape on it that quickly disintegrated when diesel contacted it. I didn't see any leaks when I started refilling but I left my big bucket setting under it just in case. Should I redrrain it and put new Teflon tape on it? Something else? Also, wat can I use the tainted diesel for other than starting brush fires?

 

[creekbend]

Other members may Chime in with a more satisfactory answer, but I think that your fuel should be okay in your tractor now. If it were me, I would add an additive to the tank, and I would use the old fuel for my Brush Piles. I have had some close calls before. That's why I use a yellow can for Diesel and red can for Gas. Just my thoughts.

 

[Larro Darro]

Mix it with fresh diesel and burn it in the tractor. If the mix is 1/25 or less gas/diesel now, by adding five gallons of the 'mixed' fuel to 20 gallons of fresh fuel, it will be 1/100 gas/diesel. Do that five times and it's gone. Don't feel bad, I almost did the same thing my second day on the job at a golf course. The boss told me to fill the tractor up, and I only knew about one fuel tank. It was the gas tank we used for the carts, but I didn't know that. Luckily the boss came by before I had started pumping.

 

[gocards1177]

[QUOTE="creekbend;3433420" have had some close calls before. That's why I use a yellow can for Diesel and red can for Gas. Just my thoughts.[/QUOTE]

That's what makes me feel even sillier about it. I do the same thing.

 

[gwdixon]

Not that bad of a mistake. I put a five gallon can of gas in a tractor that had run out of diesel. Pure gas doesn't work very well after about 10 minutes of running. Apparently, no serious damage was done since the tractor has been running great for about 10 years.

Anyway, I've heard of truckers adding gas to their diesel rigs in winter to improve performance. So, as others have mentioned, just dilute the contaminated fuel quite a bit and use it. Maybe top off the tank with it after a day's use. It will be gone soon enough.

 

[gocards1177]

Mix it with fresh diesel and burn it in the tractor. If the mix is 1/25 or less gas/diesel now, by adding five gallons of the 'mixed' fuel to 20 gallons of fresh fuel, it will be 1/100 gas/diesel. Do that five times and it's gone. Don't feel bad, I almost did the same thing my second day on the job at a golf course. The boss told me to fill the tractor up, and I only knew about one fuel tank. It was the gas tank we used for the carts, but I didn't know that. Luckily the boss came by before I had started pumping.

Tempting but I think ill stick to burn piles

 

[Bird]

First, I think you should do whatever you're comfortable with, but if it were me, I agree with the others who said to not worry about it. One gallon in 25, I would not expect a problem, but if you dilute it even more, I'd certainly be comfortable with it.

 

[FTG-05]

One gallon of gas mixed with 25 gallons of diesel?

Add a quart or so of TC-W3 2 stroke oil, fill it up with diesel and go back to work.

Good luck!

 

[gilraine]

On an older machine, would not bother me in the least. Less than 15 years old, dilute it with more diesel and run it.

 

[Soundguy]

what's the problem.. I put gas in my tractor before I mow every week?

OH.. it's a diesel tractor.



I'm with the others.. I'd run it 1/25 with some power service in there.. or if diluted even more.. just go with it.