Accidentally put 4 gallons of diesel in pickup

[firemech]

Biggest issue may be sensors. Person put an unknown quantity of diesel in a gas suburban. Truck started and ran with smoke, but within 5 weeks of the event almost all of the sensors pertaining to fuel mixture or exhaust were "pooched"

 

[Stimw]

I would run premium gas in it for the next couple fill ups and just keep an eye on it.

 

[sixdogs]

Since I put nearly 200 miles on it and since the fuel was relatively diluted I'm going to go with just adding more fuel and hoping I can get by. Draining the tank is very difficult and after 200 miles I wonder what good it would do. I did just add 8 gallons of high test and can really feel the difference. It runs smoother for whatever reason.

I'm also going to change the oil in a few days just because I'm not sure if I overfilled the oil after the last change or something happened. Thank you all.

 

[ozob2k]

In my experience, a small quantity of diesel in a relativity full tank will act like a tank of old gas without the lacquer thinner smell. If it is enough to foul out the spark plugs then you need to flush the tank. Its when you have to keep high reving the motor to keep it running essentially forcing it to run is when you can damage the sensors. Spark plugs and O2 sensors can usually be recovered by heating them with a propane torch to burn off the oil and soot deposits. The converter will burn itself clean as long as it is not plugged. The downstream O2 may confuse the engine management while the converter is cleaning itself so a warning light may not be a big issue but still needs checked. Hopefully this helps someone in this situation.

 

[chuck172]

That happened on a construction site I worked on once. Dan the steamfitter apprentice put diesel fuel in a gas welding machine. He was nicknamed "Diesel Dan" for the rest of his life.

 

[sixdogs]

Thank you. I'm now 300 miles into this and I keep adding high test. All it ever did was lightly stumble a couple times before I realized what I did. It ran great afterwards and still runs great. Did I escape problems?

 

[k0ua]

Thank you. I'm now 300 miles into this and I keep adding high test. All it ever did was lightly stumble a couple times before I realized what I did. It ran great afterwards and still runs great. Did I escape problems?

I am no mechanic, but in my mind if you are 300 miles down the road since this event, and the vehicle is running well. I would forget about it.

 

[troutsqueezer]

Isn't the handle on the diesel pump green?

 

[sixdogs]

Isn't the handle on the diesel pump green?

Not in a farm situation.

 

[square1]

Isn't the handle on the diesel pump green?

I thought diesel nozzles were to big to fit in a gas filler opening? I can't speak from experience