Diesel in Gas Tank?

[Bruker 2]

I'm servicing a mower for a friend who I think might have accidentally put some diesel fuel in the gas tank. I haven't tried starting it yet but the fuel does have a slight diesel smell to it. If I can get the mower to start is there any harm in letting the diesel fuel run through?

[phillobbezoo 139]

Yeah drain it out it will wreck the motor

[BLT 718]

That little bit really won't hurt anything. If the tank is partially empty just dilute more with gas and eventually you'll be all back to gasoline. While you go thru this you'll be getting some blue exhaust on start up until it warms up. Then when you work it hard it will disappear or turn a tinge on the black.

[720nut 4,225]

Myself I'ld drain fuel tank and empty fuel bowl. I don't see where a little will hurt anything. Just my ,02

[Willy 2]

I would dump what you can get out tank, fill it with fresh gas

and run it.

a little won't hurt, it will help clean the valves.

[DanD 9]

A little diesel in the gasoline tank on an old engine won't hurt anything as long as it isn't so much that the engine won't run. Like putting some oil in the gas on a two cycle engine! On the other hand, putting some gasoline in the diesel tank would be quite another story I think.

[BLT 718]

quote:Originally posted by DanD

A little diesel in the gasoline tank on an old engine won't hurt anything as long as it isn't so much that the engine won't run. Like putting some oil in the gas on a two cycle engine! On the other hand, putting some gasoline in the diesel tank would be quite another story I think.

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id="quote">

id="quote">There were some horrible stories in the late 70's when the automotive(car)Diesel was introduced..

[Bruker 2]

Thanks for the info guys!

[tadams 988]

Lot of the old timers used to run a gallon of diesel in a tank of gas every so often to lube the valves.

[gwiseman 1,676]

quote:Originally posted by tadams

Lot of the old timers used to run a gallon of diesel in a tank of gas every so often to lube the valves.

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id="quote">

id="quote">Yep, I'll say it was dad who did this. Not ready to wear that one yet.

[bkassulke 25]

Due to the sulfur content of the old diesel fuel the lubrisity was better, todays fuels however are not the same as the old. I have a welder generator that a guy at work pumped full of diesel. It is a gas engine. All I did was drain it and it was fine after filled with fresh gas. We also run a gallon or so of gas in our diesel engines in winter as a anti gel prevention. A lot of diesel can run on 10 percent or so. But on gas too much will cause issues with running. Not so much on the mechanical end but the combustion end. All in all quite sound advice so far on draining it and fill with fresh and you should be fine.