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

[Tractor Seabee]

I spoke with the dealer, he wasn't too alarmed with what happened. I've got my wife on the way over there to buy a new fuel filter. ATF? Automatic transmission fluid?? Correct?

I'm sure this isn't the first wife that has ever done this! At least she was trying!

I had a hired hand do it once, he was fired on the spot, no excuse as the two tanks are well marked and painted red and yellow. My wife; too expensive to fire her, just hug her and tell her "it is OK, no harm done; just don't do it again"

Ron

 

[SJay]

To end the story,

I got home from work a few hours ago. The wife had the new fuel filter on hand. I dumped new diesel fuel into the tank without the filter on to clean out that portion of the fuel line. Once that was done, I installed the new fuel filter. Turned the valve on the filter on. Turned the glow plugs on for 15 seconds, and tried to start. Wasn't much trying, she fired right up. I bet I needed a new filter anyhow, those women sometimes have ESP. The wife heard it start, and was rather happy about it. Me too. Happy Happy Happy friends, and Happy 4th of July weekend.

Thanks for the update - nice to see a question asked and then a conclusion.

 

[mikester]

divorce? :banghead: 50 feet probably not enough to destroy engine? Whatever you do, don't start it again until following oldnslo's advice. Might be good idea to also call dealer for advice.

The OP should be happy to have a wife interested enough in not only operating the tractor but filling it up too! If she greases all the required fittings she’s a keeper.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Thankfully the OP and his wife are able to communicate and she quickly and willing told him about the mistake. Not all relationships or marriages do so. Made the mistake a fairly minor issue and not a multi thousand dollar mistake. Congrats on it all working out

 

[shooterdon]

Thankfully the OP and his wife are able to communicate and she quickly and willing told him about the mistake. Not all relationships or marriages do so. Made the mistake a fairly minor issue and not a multi thousand dollar mistake. Congrats on it all working out

Excellent point!

At least she tried and was smart enough to shut it down when it didn’t sound right. A keeper for sure.

 

[Jstpssng]

Excellent point!

At least she tried and was smart enough to shut it down when it didn’t sound right. A keeper for sure.

I was thinking how much easier it is to replace a good tractor than a good wife.

 

[4get gto]

I had a hired hand do it once, he was fired on the spot, no excuse as the two tanks are well marked and painted red and yellow. My wife; too expensive to fire her, just hug her and tell her "it is OK, no harm done; just don't do it again"

Ron

Kinda think you thought your "hired hand" wasn't worth a crap anyway.

 

[chevy791979]

Drain the tank and filter, filler back up and run. Small amount of gas in diesel shouldn't hurt them. VW used to recommend up to 25% gas in their diesel engines for cold weather use.

This is 100% correct. It'll be fine. Just drain and refill.

 

[rekees4300]

The OP should be happy to have a wife interested enough in not only operating the tractor but filling it up too! If she greases all the required fittings she’s a keeper.

Yeah that's true. My better-half's total tractor knowledge is "it's that green thing in the shed". She wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole for fear of breaking it.

 

[aczlan]

My wife; too expensive to fire her, just hug her and tell her "it is OK, no harm done; just don't do it again"

Excellent advice.

As for adding something to the Diesel, I would add 2 stroke oil if anything, but if it only ran for long enough to go 50 feet, it should be fine with just Diesel.

Aaron Z