Last fall I drained several gallons of bad, four-year-old gas from my '87 Isuzu pickup.
In addition, the carb was beyond saving and had to be replaced to get the truck running. I still have several jugs of this nasty gas.

At a recent Mercedes GTG, a fellow who has had many years working on/restoring Mercedes (though I'm not sure of his diesel experience) advised me that it wouldn't hurt anything to mix a gallon of that bad gas with a tankfull of diesel and gredually burn it off in my 240D or 300TD.
While I've occasionally burned a gallon of used gasser motor oil or ATF that way in my diesels (In fact, the part-throttle 'nailing' stopped in my 240D after a dose of ATF) so far I've been reluctant to try this particular alternative-fuel experiment.

Any experiences, thoughts or comments? Thanks.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

"RUG", regular unleaded gas has a super low cetane rating so it won't help cold starts and it reduces the lubricity of diesel fuel so it could conceivably accelerate fuel system wear. It's commonly added to WVO or WMO fuels to thin them since they already have more lubricity than diesel.

If you just want to get rid of it use only 1/2 gallon pre tank full; less likely to cause any issue.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

yeah a small amount won't hurt; back in the 80's we used to mix in gasoline with diesel to keep it from gelling because we didn't have winterized diesel

My worry is the high varnish level, or other possible side-effects from burning 1/2 to 1 gallon of 4-5 year-old gasohol with a tankfull of diesel.
As far as fuel lubricity, perhaps I could mix in a quart of used ATF.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

I had a tank of old gas in a Travco motorhome with a 413 V-8 a few years ago. It caused just about all the intake valves to stick. It took lots of effort with a sledge and 2x4 to loosen up those valves once it happened. I wouldn't put gas in that condition into any engine.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

This gets my pyrotechnic itch going, I would just pour it into a garbage can lid and burn it off...but that might get the neighborhood association a bit riled if you've got one. Or you can probably drop it off at your local city shop or garage. They mixed my ancient lawn mower gas with the used oil. I would never run varnish through a fuel system as I have spent a fair bit of time getting it out and it is not fun.
Michael

I sold my beater 240D 2 months ago - the only diesel I had that I'd consider for disposing of this fuel. I'm thinking my keeper 240D and Euro 300TD are much too nice to experiment with bad gas. I've got several jugs of used motor oil I might be able to cut with some of the gas for disposal.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

Say, don`t you have a neighbor that was giving you some problems? or am I thinking of someone else? anyway...... under the cover of darkness you could add gas instead on siphoning it, and then see if suddenly they have a problem with ole bessy running.........just sayin

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Stale gas is the best solvent of choice for blending with WVO. Between my brother and I, we have over 100,000 blended WVO miles between our Diesel vehicles. Most of the RUG I get (for free) comes from a lawnmower shop and an engine re-builder. I often use my water injection to steam away any carbon or varnish that may occur. I see no ill effects with using RUG (stale or otherwise) as a solvent for thinning WVO.

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All Diesel Fleet
1985 R107 300SLD TURBODIESEL
2005 E320 CDI (daily)

LOTS of parts for sale!


EGR block kit
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/355250-sale-egr-delete-block-off-plate-kit.html

1985 CA emissions 617 owners- You Need This!
Sanden style A/C Compressor Mounting Kit for your 616/ 617 For Sale + Install Inst.

Sanden Instalation Guide (post 11):
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/367883-sanden-retrofit-installation-guide.html

I use bad gas mixed with used motor oil to start burn pilles.

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Jim

The most highly volatile components in gasoline also tend to evaporate over time. As they do, the remaining fuel's volatility and ability to combust properly degrades. The less volatile the fuel, the less effectively it burns in your engine. The result is diminished engine performance. Your engine may still start and run, but it probably won't run as well.




A more serious problem: Oxidation
Hydrocarbons in the gas react with oxygen to produce new compounds that eventually change the chemical composition of the fuel. This leads to gum and varnish deposits in the fuel system.
These deposits and impurities can clog up gas lines and filters, as well the small orifices in a carburetor and the even smaller orifices in a fuel injector. Removing these deposits can be expensive and your vehicle may not run at all or run very poorly until they are removed.


Water contamination
Condensation can form inside your gas tank and lines from heat cycling. Fuels such as E85, which have a high concentration of ethanol alcohol, may be even more susceptible to water contamination, as ethanol likes to draw moisture out of the surrounding air.

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96 E300d

X2

was thinking the same thing as I read the thread.
Its good for killing weeds as well.

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

I would have to say try putting in a quart or two in with a tank of diesel, and if it doesn't seem like there is anything funky goin' on then you might be safe to add a little more, and then call it good. I wouldn't do more than a gallon per tankful though

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1982 300D Turbodiesel, daily driver. Mods so far: Fram 8038 paper filter, 4 brake light mod, Gen II w126 (front) rotors/calipers, boost turned up to 12lbs, non-egr manifolds, water/methanol injection, 4-speed manual
1980 300SD Turbodiesel, project car, nearly ready to hit the street

1974 240D, New paint

I wouldn't have even brought it up except this long-time Mercedes guy at the GTG said one gallon would be fine in a tankfull of diesel. Many years ago, bad gas severely screwed up the fuel system of a 230SL I inherited from my dad. Maybe diesel fuel injection would be more tolerant of a blend. If I still had my beater 240D, I'd try it. I'm just reluctant to gamble with my two remaining nice diesels.
I have used up some in my riding mower with no ill effects so far. But I've since run it with fresh gas.
Took a gallon yesterday to my local gas-station for recycling mixed with 4 gallons of used oil. Figure when mixed with the 400 gallons in their tank it should be OK.
I have about 5 gallons left.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW