How is the best way to drain the fuel tank - I screwed up after 3 years and put 18 gallons of Regular in the tank!!

 

I am certainly no expert on your situation but if I were in your shoes this is what I would do.

Siphon as much of the gasoline out as possible; save it for lawn mowers or two cycle engines you might have.

Go to the "READ FIRST" tech folder, second "sticky" in this forum..

Go to how to harpoon the tank..

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/a...rpoon-The-Tank?

This will give you a little heads up on how to drop the tank and while you are at it go ahead and 'harpoon' your tank (if you cut the vent tube PVC pipe that sticks down into the tank off you will be able to utilize more of your tank capacity; gasoline emissions needs the air space, your diesel doesn't). You will want the PVC pipe cutter that is sold in hardware stores in the lawn sprinkler system section.

While the tank is dropped finish getting out the remaining gasoline.

You can do this all by yourself (I have on two vehicles) but it is much easier with a friend (I have helped others). Helps to have two small floor jacks for each end of the tank.

Trickiest part is getting the large ring threaded back on insuring that the fuel sender/line assy. locating tabs remain in alignment and ditto for the seal; this is where a second set of hands makes things easier. Watch that the two vent lines (which have no clamps) remain connected when lifting tank back up.

Be sure to use some fuel additive with lubricating properties to help counter the residual gasoline when you fill it with diesel.

Don't want to drop the tank? "The solution to pollution is dillution" Siphon as much out of the tank as possible; fill with diesel; add fuel additive. Don't wait till it is empty; refill it after a 100 miles several times. Don't pull any trailers or hot rod it, etc. until a couple of tanks have been burned. You might be able to finish emptying it by pulling the HFCM drain plug and cycling the ignition switch and letting the pump finish draining the tank; then once you add fresh diesel do the same thing to get fresh diesel and most the air out to this point before replacing the water drain plug (don't over tighten it).

Do either at your own risk. Something may already be damaged during your ride home.

It is sort of slow during weekends and especially holiday weekends with regards to people posting help. I'm sure there are others with other ways or those that will not agree with me; perhaps you'll get some additional suggestions.

I would also remove the engine mounted fuel filter and suck up fuel in the filter cavity; pour some fresh diesel with 50% additive in it and replace the fuel filter; you may have to get a new filter for the o-ring if it leaks.

I would replace both fuel filters after you burn out a tank of fuel.

Good luck,

Bob

 

Thanks Bob.

I eneded up jsut biting the bullet and had it towed to the shop - where the tech told me basically what you jsut did. Its gonna cost me some coin for sure

3 years of owning the truck and one lapse in attention kisks my ****.

Totally embarased in Texas.

 

I bet you Look at the color on the FUEL hose. Some Station have there hose Mixed up

 

Oh man that sucks. That is one of the HUGE fears that I have about my 06 F250 6.0 PSD. I can just see it now.........

The wife/sergent major/organizer of my life takes it and fills it up (with what she DON'T know)..............

Then I hear this high pitched scream, then an earth shattering KABOOM! from down the block...........

12 thousand dollars later it runs just like it has a new engine in it..........CAUSE IT DOES..........

Thats why I won't let my wife NEAR my keys (and she doesn't like driving it anyway because she says it's too big for her, thank GOD!)..........

It's just one of those things that wakes me up in the middle of the night, sweating like a lawn sprinkler........

Brother I feel your pain. Let us know how it comes out, ok?

Gunner15a

 

Two managers from two different locations in the United States from the Swiss owned company I work for were traveling together in Switzerland. When returning to the airport in their rental car they stopped and filled it up with gasoline; it was a diesel Mercedes IIRC. They didn't make it all the way to the airport rental return before it stopped on a busy main road into the airport. They took off walking (worrying about making their flight); the lady at the rental return counter gave them the riot act for leaving the car unattended in a high security area.... etc. That was an expensive expense report.

There is a company that makes an audible voice warning for the fuel door:
http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/..._system_review

Bob