Wife just added gasoline to diesel tractor. What to do?

[Billrog]

Don't be putting ATF in your fuel that's wacko .

 

[Reb954]

Don't be putting ATF in your fuel that's wacko .

It sure is a good thing you stopped by to straighten out us "wacko"s. And it is nice how you provide the basis for your comment.

I added ATF to the fuel for my Ford 4400 for years due to the dryer fuel we have now days. Todays tractors don't need the extra lubrication as much but in the OP's case where gasoline was ran through the engine, the ATF can't do anything but help. But this is from a faceless person on the internet so caveat emptor.

 

[TractorGuy]

ATF is highly detergent. Not something I want in my fuel. If you want to add some lubricant get something made for diesel fuel like Stanadyne Lubricity formula.

I have had two bad experiences trying to use ATF as a lubricant where it wasn't intended. Was taking apart an old Volvo for parts and stuck the pump pickup in a quart of ATF. I lifted the air plate and waited until it sprayed ATF out of all 4 injectors. Later when I tried to use some of the components they were all stuck, rusty, and ruined. I also mixed some ATF in used motor oil and used it as bar oil in an old bow saw. Put the saw in the shed and next time I went to use it the bow and chain were solid rust and ruined.

Put the proper type ATF in transmissions that it is designed for and leave it at that.

 

[EarPlug]

It sure is a good thing you stopped by to straighten out us "wacko"s. And it is nice how you provide the basis for your comment.

I added ATF to the fuel for my Ford 4400 for years due to the dryer fuel we have now days. Todays tractors don't need the extra lubrication as much but in the OP's case where gasoline was ran through the engine, the ATF can't do anything but help. But this is from a faceless person on the internet so caveat emptor.

Can I use ATF (automatic transmission fluid) as a lubricant in my fuel?
Since October 1993, some diesel end-users have tried adding automatic transmission fluid (ATF) to diesel fuel to improve the fuel's lubricity. According to the U.S. Army's quarterly fuel and lubricant bulletin (March 1994), laboratory testing using the Ball-on-cylinder lubricity evaluation (BOCLE) had shown that the addition of ATF to a low sulfur fuel does not improve the fuel's lubricity rating. Moreover, the presence of ATF in fuel can adversely affect other performance properties of diesel fuel.

SOURCE - http://dieselfuelsystems.com/productcart/pc/viewcontent.asp?idpage=2

 

[TractorGuy]

Can I use ATF (automatic transmission fluid) as a lubricant in my fuel?
Since October 1993, some diesel end-users have tried adding automatic transmission fluid (ATF) to diesel fuel to improve the fuel's lubricity. According to the U.S. Army's quarterly fuel and lubricant bulletin (March 1994), laboratory testing using the Ball-on-cylinder lubricity evaluation (BOCLE) had shown that the addition of ATF to a low sulfur fuel does not improve the fuel's lubricity rating. Moreover, the presence of ATF in fuel can adversely affect other performance properties of diesel fuel.

SOURCE - http://dieselfuelsystems.com/productcart/pc/viewcontent.asp?idpage=2

Beat me to it.

 

[Reb954]

Can I use ATF (automatic transmission fluid) as a lubricant in my fuel?
Since October 1993, some diesel end-users have tried adding automatic transmission fluid (ATF) to diesel fuel to improve the fuel's lubricity. According to the U.S. Army's quarterly fuel and lubricant bulletin (March 1994), laboratory testing using the Ball-on-cylinder lubricity evaluation (BOCLE) had shown that the addition of ATF to a low sulfur fuel does not improve the fuel's lubricity rating. Moreover, the presence of ATF in fuel can adversely affect other performance properties of diesel fuel.

That somewhat contradicts itself. How can adding a lubricant to something that has less lubricant than the lubricant being added, not provide more lubricity as an end result?

And yes, ATF has detergent in it, which means it cleans as well as lubricates. Sounds like a win win to me.

 

[LouNY]

I used to add ATF to my diesel, however I have seen other test reports showing a decrease in lubricity when ATF has been used;
some of the commercial additives where much better and 2 stroke oil was better then ATF.
On the OP's original issue I would also open any bleeders on the pump and get the fresh diesel as far into the system as possible,\
P.S. I have added gas to diesel under extremely cold conditions with fuel already gelled up, it will work, I would not recommend it to anyone.

 

[JPRambo]

MARVEL MYSTERY OIL?

 

[TractorGuy]

After draining the tank/filter, I'd fill the tank with diesel and the filter with ATF and start it up, then let it run a few mins and put it back to work!

Pumping the air out of the system will also pump out the old diesel that's in the lines...

SR

Filling the filter with undiluted ATF sounds like a possible way to hydra lock and engine. Can you say bent connecting rods?

 

[tjkubota93]

Filling the filter with undiluted ATF sounds like a possible way to hydra lock and engine. Can you say bent connecting rods?

We always did that when we changed our filters so they would not air lock. We didn't have diesel readily available in the shop. From what I have seen and heard, that's pretty standard practice when changing a spin on diesel fuel filter.