I mistaken pumped gas into my beautiful low mileage 2012 F350 Turbo Diesel and drove it about 20 miles.

I am told it needs an entirely new fuel kit, and that this will cost me between seven and nine grand.

I was advised against trying to clean out the system as it's likely to not work and would cost around $1,500.

Is there anything I can do to mitigate this disaster? (Insurance doesn't cover it.)

Damn that Green BP Pump. . . .

 

Yea.......BP needs to change that up. I know three people who have done it. Two were 6.7 powerstrokes and both had the system flushed and are still going just fine. Their prices vary they were done at different dealers. One spent $500 and one spent $700. I think I'd take a risk on $1500 to save $9,000. You might personally pop the lower filter off. If there is a bunch of kibbles and bits in there your probably gonna need a new fuel system. If not I think I'd give the flush a try. Sorry about this I've almost done it before. I refuse to use BP anymore just for that reason. Just seems stupid to have the opposite color pump nozzle as literally every other fuel station nationwide.

 

I should add two things.

1. I hope to sell this truck in a year or less and
2. The Ford dealer told me if I didn't replace the kit, I'd lose the last year of the warranty, and it would somehow recorded in their system as a salvage or something like that.

 

Gas floats on top of diesel... so little got into engine.. as engine was running !!!!!!

drain tank. replace filters. disconnect fuel rail. and blow out everything.

putting DEF in the diesel fuel tank is what needs a complete fuel system

my opinion... and have done it to older diesels (repaired).. and they went on,and on, and on.

 

How much gas did you pump into the truck? How many gallons? Did the engine stop running?

 

The tank was nearly empty, had maybe three gallons, and I filled it with about 33 gallons. I drove about 10-20 miles on the highway when I noticed it acting strangely. Then I left it for a weekend to travel. When I got back, it had trouble starting, would take three attempts before the ending caught, and it would make a noise like the alternator was turning over for about 30 seconds before catching. I started it this way probably three times and drove around town maybe another 6-10 miles before getting it into the shop this morning and finding out it was gas in the tank.

 

there goes my help..... Sorry.. never though of 3 gallons to total empty.

pumps and injectors ... as diesel fuel is also used as a lubricant for the fuel system parts.

 

Chuck, so are you saying it needs the big repair, replacement of the whole fuel kit?

 

Where did you hear this?
Gas floats on top of water.
Diesel floats on top of water.
Oil floats on top of water.

Gas and diesel, as well as any petroleum based oil mix immediately and the only way to separate them is with a refinery..

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OP, I they may have voided your warranty, but you could probably trade it in on a bow-tie or goat without any troubles...
I would flush the system, replace filters, use a cetane booster and fuel system lubricant and give it a try..

 

I will not debate it.

I just know from removing diesel fuel tanks with gas in them...
from pickup trucks..

I have been wrong before.. and will again.

pumps and injectors for sure.

 

Your fuel system is toast. Especially with that heavy a concentration of gas. I'm surprised it ran that far.

 

.
Sorry to hear about your refueling mistake.


Actually... he is correct...


Product........... Temperture °F...... Specific Gravity

Gasoline................ 60................... 0.72 - 0.74
Diesel................... 60................... 0.81 - 0.96
Water, fresh ....................................... 1.0

Liquids and Fluids - Specific Gravities - SG

Disclaimer: Different references may give slight variations to specific gravity of diesel fuel and gasoline, but show the same results.

.

 

Yes they do have differences in specific gravities and in theory they would not mix - but indeed they do and they will not separate without re-refining them...
This is an old video and would be very easy to replicate -

I think you'll find that the specific gravity of honey and tea are also different, but mix quite well..

 

I have seen that video before. I worked as a diesel tech when I was younger and had observed gasoline floating on diesel fuel also.

Funny story, a wrecked Peterbilt came in to the shop on a hook. The fuel shut off valve on one of the fuel tanks had broken off in the accident. Well the wrecker driver shoved a piece of wood into what was left of the shut off valve, basically just the pipe nipple was left. The guy that was working on it put a drain pan under the tank and removed the wood and replace the shut off valve. He takes the drain pan with diesel fuel outside to the end of the shop bay, Now it's break time. So we are all out side. One of the guys that smokes starts flinging lite matches into the drain pan with diesel fuel. Naturally the diesel fuel doesn't light. One of the other guys gets this bright idea to add gasoline to the diesel fuel. This is where we get to see gasoline float on diesel fuel. The next match misses the drain pan and hits the still open gas can and starts it on fire. Well the guy with the bright idea to add gas to the diesel fuel panics. He grabs the still on fire gas can and tosses it... right on to a stack of pallets. Now we have a bonfire. Fire dept shows up and puts out the fire. Boss fires (no pun intended) the guy that was messing around with the gasoline.

.

 

I'd flushing it out and see if it starts. When you flush the fuel lines out look to see if there is any rust or metal flakes. (As long as you can do this yourself.) The sooner the better. I wouldn't pay $1500 for someone else to do it, because if you find evidence of corrosion you'll want to use that towards the repair.

Ford can't void the entire warranty, only if the "gas" caused the problem. They want you to spend $9k with them.

Personally, I wouldn't trust the fuel system and if it did start and run fine, you might want to up your trade in time table. But I'm a nervous nelly when it comes to vehicles as I have had some bad experiences in the past.