Diesel in gas engine? A tip.

[Kloubek]

So I was talking to my neighbor last night. (And yes, this really was my neighbor) He was telling me how his daughter managed to put diesel in their Toyota Highlander. She started driving, and the engine lost all power so she pulled over and called her father to save the day.

He called around to a few shops, and the work required to rectify the issue varied - although they all told him they'd have to drop the gas tank to remove the diesel.

He found out (and I did not know this) that some vehicles, and supposedly many imports, have a drain nut at the bottom of the tank. So all he did is drain out the fuel, refill with the proper gas, and run the engine until the lines cleared out and it was back to normal. So all he paid was the price of new gas, and avoided the $1300 bill that at least one shop wanted him to pay.

This isn't really that entertaining of a story, I know. But I figure that eventually somebody on here will have this happen in their household and that they shouldn't necessarily freak out; sometimes it is a pretty cheap and easy fix. Diesel fuel may not run a gas engine, but apparently it shouldn't have any particularly ill effects on the engine besides that. It's just a matter of getting the diesel out, and the proper fuel back in.

That is all.

/publicserviceaanouncement

[StreetRacerX]

Thanks for the tip! Hopefully people who research the issue should it happen to them stumble across this thread.

[ercchry]

should at least replace the fuel filter though. diesel in gas isnt nearly as bad as gas in a diesel... that is an expensive bill

[CapnCrunch]

Yeah I knew diesel in gas engines isn't that bad. I had no idea they had drain nuts on some gas tanks though.

[quick_scar]

Originally posted by Kloubek
He found out (and I did not know this) that some vehicles, and supposedly many imports, have a drain nut at the bottom of the tank.

If this is true... stealing gas just got a whole lot easier.

Criminals no longer need to worry about locking gas caps, or vehicles with gas cap doors that only open with a button or leaver inside. Simply know what makes and models have a drain like this. Fab up a tray to catch it (or use an oil pan) and away you go.

[mr2mike]

Worst case, you pull the fuel line, figure out how to get the fuel pump to run with the motor off (there's usually a ODB trouble shoot mode) route it into a hose and start filling up tanks. A whole tank of gas is going to be a lot of jerry cans.

[Kloubek]

Originally posted by quick_scar
If this is true... stealing gas just got a whole lot easier.

Indeed. Of course, the information about the drain is third-hand, so while his Highlander certainly did have the drain, I would be surprised to find it is all that common. Still, worth a try for anyone who runs into this issue and had no idea it was even possible their tank might have one.

Or, simply find a way to siphon it out. Tried and tested.

[HiTempguy1]

Originally posted by mr2mike
Worst case, you pull the fuel line, figure out how to get the fuel pump to run with the motor off (there's usually a ODB trouble shoot mode) route it into a hose and start filling up tanks. A whole tank of gas is going to be a lot of jerry cans.

Just find the relay and run 12 volts to the pins that bypass it.

Buuuttttt... for you average everyday joe schmoe, this isn't really feasible. Anyone that tries to charge you more than a couple hours of shop time is screwing you over though.

[01RedDX]

.

[ExtraSlow]

Isn't the diesel pump spout larger diameter? I know on my pickup, there is a palte that doesn't allow a diesel spout to fit.

I drive all gas cars though, so no expert.

[lilmira]

Originally posted by 01RedDX
In both cases, they said they didn't even know what diesel was (obviously.)

I think he was the guy with a shaved head driving cars really fast.

[BokCh0y]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
Isn't the diesel pump spout larger diameter? I know on my pickup, there is a palte that doesn't allow a diesel spout to fit.

I drive all gas cars though, so no expert.

How can you not notice that? Or even the fact the pump is oily?

Also...common factor here, all women doing this haha.

[Kloubek]

My understanding (but I'm also not sure) is that the nozzle may or may not fit, but it doesn't fully go into the opening regardless. That in itself should be an indication something is wrong for most people. Apparently not all.

[firebane]

The smell alone should give it away. You can't tell me in this day and age a person does not know the smell of gasoline.

[Kloubek]

Come on now - that's painting with an awfully wide brush.

We don't all live on a reserve.

[firebane]

Originally posted by Kloubek
Come on now - that's painting with an awfully wide brush.

We don't all live on a reserve.

[faiz999]

Originally posted by 01RedDX
This happens a lot more often than people think. My niece once filled up her little Yaris with diesel, and another girl I know just filled up her dad's Porsche Cayenne with diesel last week. That one's gonna was a bitch because she kept cranking it for a while. In both cases, they said they didn't even know what diesel was (obviously.)

so...from the 3 stories of ppl filling in the wrong type of gas...all of them are women...

i think the moral of the story is....

[CanmoreOrLess]

Annnnddddd my wife insists on a diesel for her next vehicle. This is going to turn out real well for me.

[CapnCrunch]

Originally posted by firebane
The smell alone should give it away. You can't tell me in this day and age a person does not know the smell of gasoline.

It might surprise you how many people don't even know there are more than one type of fuel for vehicles.

[HiTempguy1]

Originally posted by CapnCrunch


It might surprise you how many people don't even know there are more than one type of fuel for vehicles.

Or if the front or rear wheels are driven on their vehicle.