I hope you guys don't beat me up too bad for this......

I list all the excuses first - end of a frustrating 14 hour shift, road construction in town causing more frustration, tired, hungry, not following the usual routine because of the construction, distracted by a phone call, I think that's all of them. It all boils down to not paying attention to my situation.

On my way home yesterday enjoying the cold A/C and driving the truck after it being down for 2 weeks. I decided to fuel up and run nice and easy for the next week to see if recent repairs helped with my mpg's. Pulled in to the pump and started filling the tank. When it clicked off I walked over to grab the nozzle looking at the readout and saw that I put in 20 gallons. As I reached for the pump, it was then that I realized I just pumped 20 gallons of gas into my 38 gallon tank. I reached in and shut the truck off, it was idling while filling the tank. After a few minutes of berating myself, mostly realizing I was going to have to admit to my sons what I had just done, I decided to start it back up and make a quick U turn to the parking area and out of the way of the pumps. There it sits waiting for the rescue trailer.

The plan is to drain the 38 gallons at the fuel pump. I have an electric pump sitting on the work bench for my generator that I can use for that. I might as well use this as the opportunity to remove the fuel bowl and replace all the O rings. That was on my list for a few weeks from now anyway. I can blow out the supply and return lines from the bowl to the pump. I think that should just about clear all the contaminated fuel out that I can possibly get out. Since the tank will be empty, I might drop it and do the hutch and harpoon mods. I guess pre harpoon mod, there should only be about 35 gallons in there. Makes the mix more like 60-40 gas to diesel.

Am I missing anything I should be concerned about? Other than pulling my head out of the sand before I ever do anything to my truck!!

I already ordered a green gas cap to hopefully keep me from loosing all common sense again....

 

I'm thinking that you'd best figure a way to get the gas out of the whole system before starting it. I do not know if it would be safe (or even possible) to disconnect the injectors and turn it over to clear them of any gasoline.

 

I've been where you are TWICE, both events because of one of my sons doing the deed (different son each time).

Don't run it.

First, though, don't worry about your fuel bowl o-rings, just replace the filter element and drain the bowl down to the ground.

Pump it all... ALL out, and then load up with TWO bottles of Diesel Kleen (or your other favorite additive), fill up with diesel, and then start and idle. Idle, tromp, idle, tromp, run the gas out of the system. Should not take you very long to purge it once you've pumped it out and drained your fuel bowl.

In BOTH of my scenarios, I never replaced the o-rings as a proactive measure, just the filter. This was probably 150K miles ago on my truck and it's still running at 330K with the original injectors and no real issues at all.

 

I already have the O ring kit for the filter bowl. It's on my list of preventative maintenance to do before our road trip this summer, so I'm not adding anymore work than I was doing anyway, just a week sooner. I had plans for the Hutch and Harpoon mod down the road, but figure if the tank is empty, I might as well do it now too.

After reading the many stories on the internet about gas in the diesel, I'm not too worried about lasting damage, just wanting to make sure I'm not missing something that I should be doing.

 

**** happens. We all make mistakes, if anyone says otherwise, they're full of it. At least you caught pretty quick.

I think that's about all I've got to add.

You did give me another item to add to my preventative maintenance list. Seeing how this is my first diesel you've got me thinking that maybe I should get a magnetic Diesel sign to put by the filler. I know it probably already says it somewhere in the area, but another reminder or two wouldn't hurt until I get adjusted. Perhaps one of those green gas caps too.

 

I'm perfect. Just ask me and I'll tell you.

 

As Josht said, stuff happens and it happens to all of us. What sets you apart is how you recover from the event.

You have received some good advice and have a course of action going forward.

The only thing I might suggest that hasn't been said is plumbing the input of the pump into a container of diesel and running the pump for a cycle or two with the fuel bowl drain open and running into another container.

You can purge the gasoline out of the supply line from the tank to the pump with compressed air.

Keep us updated and I am grateful this happened now instead of on your trip.

 

Shhhh... Me too, I'm just trying to make the guy feel better.

:

 

Well, until this happened, I was only wrong once before. It was a few years ago when I thought I had made a mistake......

 

Did that many years ago with my 95 Dually, but caught it at about 5 gallons. Like you, was a long day.... long all day drive and I just said.... well... that's like 20% of 28 gallons.... so I filled it on up with diesel. Ran it down to about half a tank and filled it up again..... then again.... Maybe because I never shut it down and was running the highway all day, so it stayed mixed up.... whatever... the engine never did anything abnormal or I was so tired I didn't feel it. Wish I still had that old Dually, but the spouse said... NO, you do NOT need two trucks !!

 

I wish mine would put her foot down. Until she says "no" I just keep bringing them home!

 

First, calm yourself down. You are way overreacting. DO NOT do all the stuff suggested in this thread.
I do suggest removing 10 to 15 gallons, then top it off with diesel. Drive it. The truck will be fine.
I have intentionally put small quantities of gasoline in my diesel truck...to see what would happen.
(You might be shocked at what I have run through my engine.) It is still my daily driver.
BTW-how far from home are you?

 

Old school trick in subzero temps,to put some gas in diesel,about 5% ratio perfectly safe?

 

Yes, the gasoline helps the fuel ignite.

 

@Capt'n Jack , your truck is worthless now. I'll take it off your hands for free. You're welcome.