Oil & Fuel Oops, spilled diesel in the wife's car-help

[Normmm]

I bought a 2' by 4' carier that slips into the rrailer hitch reciever. Only way to transport diesel os outside the box you are riding in. Same for urea ferterlizers. It can carry 400 lbs.

 

[unreconstructed]

My condolences.

I shot a hole in the roof of my 1rst wife's car. Stuck some gum in it and spray painted it. I was only 20 years old then. She didn't miss a thing. (maybe why she's a ex-wife). If I did it now, 36 years later, I would go in and tell her that I just plugged her car with my 30-30 but we're on the way to buy her a new car.

Best of luck. Hope the simple green works.

 

[Egon]

Camping gear or a cot in the garage may be in order!

 

[Dusty]

Clean up as much as you can with rags (I assume that you have already done this). The place newspaper on the spot or brown paper bags. This will absorb the remaining fuel. Then, when you can't get any more from the topside, attack the problem from underneath, but putting newspaper under the carpet to absorb the remainder. When you have fully removed as much as possible, then soak the entire area with white vinegar. The vinegar will neutralize the hydrocarbons that cause the odor in the fuel. I have been told that chemicals are added to all petroleum products to create these smells, just like natural gas and propane both have their own distinctive odors for identification purposes. Good luck and let us know what you do to remedy this problem and how well it works. DJ

 

[DaveRR]

I clean up petroleum spills for a living, and I'm very careful with the inside of my work truck. Unfortunately, it's very difficult (impossible in most cases) to completely clean materials that can absorb petroleum and petroleum odors (carpet, fabrics, furniture, wood, etc). There will almost always be a residual odor.

Like previous posters have suggested, a good detergent is your best bet.

 

[Michael_E_Tx]

I tend to agree with DaveRR, although I am a complete amateur at diesel cleanup. I offer my suggestion seriously, although it may sound extreme. I realize your deadline has come and gone, but if your wife is still speaking to you and you still have the problem, consider replacing the carpeting and backing in the area of the spill. You didn't say where the spill occurred, trunk or interior of the car, but if you are lucky, even in the interior, the carpet will be sectional, at least front and back. If your car is newish, the replacement carpet may be pricey, but perhaps worth it to be able to totally eliminate the smell.

Mike

 

[ccsial]

My wife happend to see this post and said "Simple, hit a skunk"

 

[hilld]

I thought every tractor owner owned a truck. Something ain't right about buying diesel and putting the jugs in a Accord.

What if it was a Diesel Jetta?

Derek

 

[BillyP]

It's been about a week since nhman posted. I think the wife has taken care of the problem...

 

[pennwalk]

It's been about a week since nhman posted. I think the wife has taken care of the problem...

Shoot now I feel bad. I should have spoken up. In the back of my mind I was thinking that maybe a trip to Dallas was in order. I hope I was wrong.

Chris