Diesel in a w123 gasser, drain or top up with regular??

[body_infinity]

Ok, a few friends were driving down for xmas get together , on the way down my mate thinks he may have accidently put diesel in his w123 resulting in no start. He thinks about 5-6 gallons, tank was almost empty (1 gallon or less)??

Its a carby old school engine I think m114?? I thought if we top it up with high octane regular rather than draining would be the simple way out?

Anyone else have any other tips solution? The car will catch when I spary some carby cleaner but not with the fuel thats in the tank which is a light green colour?

I did read that its not a major issue with the carby version versus the EFI as it only has the mech fuel pump and no injectors etc to destroy - true????

The guys are here for a week (or more??) any help would be great

[JimFreeh]

Originally Posted by body_infinity

Ok, a few friends were driving down for xmas get together , on the way down my mate thinks he may have accidently put diesel in his w123 resulting in no start. He thinks about 5-6 gallons, tank was almost empty (1 gallon or less)??

Its a carby old school engine I think m114?? I thought if we top it up with high octane regular rather than draining would be the simple way out?

Anyone else have any other tips solution? The car will catch when I spary some carby cleaner but not with the fuel thats in the tank which is a light green colour?

I did read that its not a major issue with the carby version versus the EFI as it only has the mech fuel pump and no injectors etc to destroy - true????

The guys are here for a week (or more??) any help would be great

If the car is located in a spot where you can drain the tank, this would be the preferred method. Do not reuse the drained fuel in a diesel car. Gasoline is not good in a diesel!

If you are stuck and need to move the car, dilute the diesel with gas, doesn't need to be high octane, and the car should run, but will be rough and a bit smokey. As you run the car, frquently fill up the car, to increase the dilution. Also, try to siphon as much out as you can before adding the gasoline.

Did this once in the early seventies with an Opel Kadette. Out of fuel, and dumped in a gallon of diesel. Made it home, but the engine was not very happy.

Jim

[t walgamuth]

I agree with the above post except the part about not reusing the diesel which has a small amount of gas in it. A small part gas will not hurt a diesel expecially if the tank is full and everything else is diesel.

Tom W

[Larry Delor]

If you're not going to drain it, I would be tempted to use non high octane gas. Whatever diesel is in there, is going to retard pre-ignition enough already.

[TheDon]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I agree with the above post except the part about not reusing the diesel which has a small amount of gas in it. A small part gas will not hurt a diesel expecially if the tank is full and everything else is diesel.

Tom W

reverse that.. he put diesel in a gasser W123

[t walgamuth]

Originally Posted by TheDon

reverse that.. he put diesel in a gasser W123

Right. I understood that. I am saying if he drains out the diesel from his gasser it won't hurt a diesel to use it with a little gas in it....you know rather than throw it away.

Tom W

[TheDon]

ah..

will diesel sit on top of the gas or vice versa?

[t walgamuth]

The diesel and gas will mix thoroughly.

Tom W

[body_infinity]

Originally Posted by JimFreeh

If the car is located in a spot where you can drain the tank, this would be the preferred method. Do not reuse the drained fuel in a diesel car. Gasoline is not good in a diesel!

If you are stuck and need to move the car, dilute the diesel with gas, doesn't need to be high octane, and the car should run, but will be rough and a bit smokey. As you run the car, frquently fill up the car, to increase the dilution. Also, try to siphon as much out as you can before adding the gasoline.

Did this once in the early seventies with an Opel Kadette. Out of fuel, and dumped in a gallon of diesel. Made it home, but the engine was not very happy.

Jim

Hi Jim, if we dilute it (ie) fill it up with regular how do we get her started? she will turn over but will not catch...would we put some unleaded direct into the carb or empty out the filter/mech fuel pump & wait till the new fuel arrives and she starts???

[Blue 72 250]

I would go with a shot of gas in the carb while cranking. The pump will get you new fuel fast.

[body_infinity]

Originally Posted by Blue 72 250

I would go with a shot of gas in the carb while cranking. The pump will get you new fuel fast.

Was not easy but we got her going - she wasn't too happy and the grey smoke didn't help but she is working ended up having to drain the tank way too much diesel ...

...the idle is strangley low would it be wise too change over the spark plugs? and he still finds it hard to start when cold (like starving for fuel which was not the case pre diesel, anyway his problem now at least they are on their way. thanks again guys another satisfied customer

[t walgamuth]

He should be fine once he gets back to pure gasoline.

Tom W

[alabbasi]

Whatever you do, do not run the car until the tank is completely drained. I put gas in a diesel engine once and it died on me. When the AA man came, he said that if it had been the other way around, it would have cost thousands.

[t walgamuth]

I don't think that would apply in this case.

Tom W

[Mike D]

Keep an eye on the fuel pump. My wife had an attendant fill her 220 gasser with diesel and within 2 weeks the fuel pump diaphragm failed and leaked. Might have been coincidence but just something to keep in mind.

The station drained the tank for her but refused to pay for the pump. They're normally pretty good Joes so I didn't push the issue. I also was lucky (?) enough to have twin Solexes (I never thought I could say THAT and mean it!) with drain plugs at the base of each carb. Diesel will stay in the carb's bowl for a while (for a few gallons) but it eventually will mix out.