Accidentally put 4 gallons of diesel in pickup

[sixdogs]

I accidentally put 4 gallons of diesel in my 26 gallon Toyota V8 Tundra. I noticed it stumbled a bit and thought I had bad gas so I filled it up again at 100 miles. Then oops, I realized what I did. There is no drain for the gas tank or I would drain it so my plan is to just add more gas and hope things are OK. Maybe unrelated but, because I just changed my oil, but the oil appears to be a little high.

I've never done anything so dub so does anyone know what to expect?

 

[speedbump]

I had a mechanic do that to my wives car years ago. He filled it up with diesel. We drove it out. It smoked, it started hard and it lost a lot of original power, but it ran. Seems like we changed the plugs afterwards.

 

[mjw357]

just keep diluting it with fresh gas and drive it, may actually clean out the fuel system a bit.

 

[ruffdog]

Years back at the dealership we had a vehicle that was filled with diesel and would hardly run. We drained the fuel and filled with fresh gas and it was fine. That was long before all the emission equipment on the vehicles now. You may have future problems with the catalytic converter, exhaust sensors, and other fuel sensitive items.

 

[sixdogs]

just keep diluting it with fresh gas and drive it, may actually clean out the fuel system a bit.

It does seem to run a little smoother.

Years back at the dealership we had a vehicle that was filled with diesel and would hardly run. We drained the fuel and filled with fresh gas and it was fine. That was long before all the emission equipment on the vehicles now. You may have future problems with the catalytic converter, exhaust sensors, and other fuel sensitive items.

I hope no future problems. Anyone have any ideas if I damaged anything else?

 

[Sysop]

I would venture to say the worst it has done is gum up the catalytic converters a bit. Diesel needs a hotter burn to fully burn off. What didn't burn off got stuck in the converters. EPA rules make manufacturers cover all the emissions related components including converters for 8 years or 80,000 miles no matter what the vehicle warranty is. I wouldn't be concerned, but I would probably watch for "clogging exhaust" type issues to appear over time. If within the 8/80 emissions coverage, let them replace it. Part of the reason the EPA started requiring manufacturers to cover stuff was because some manufacturers were installing too small of converters on vehicles and they were clogging too frequently.

 

[TnAndy]

Took our 6 year old Honda in for "check engine" light, they did something (probably just turned the light off) and said if it happens again, we'd have to replace the converter. I asked what cost ? "About $800".

So, few weeks later, light back on, I took it in to have it replaced.......after I read thru the warranty book that said the same thing......80k or 8 years, neither of which the car had. So they replaced it, and handed me the bill. I handed them the warranty book with the appropriate section highlighted.

Ummmmmm......much grumbling, and dirty looks, but they had no choice but to warranty it. And I'm SURE they knew that all along, planing to get paid twice.

 

[breadtrk]

I filled a 79 gmc with diesel. Blew a hole in the head, cracked some valve seats, and bent a coupe rods.

I'd drain it now matter what a PIA that will be.

 

[Sysop]

Big difference in filling up and putting 4 gallons to a 26 gallon tank.

 

[breadtrk]

Bigger difference between maybe a hundred dollars of hassle and 2 grand for an engine. Ain't worth the chance.