'72 280 4.5 Took a gulp of diesel - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Blue 72 250 · #1 04-25-2007, 12:29 PM

I am looking at buying a '72 280 4.5 for a old lady that gave her a drink of diesel and it "stopped running".... doh! Then the car sat over the winter outside.

I am wondering how much damage that would cause, and what would need to be replaced to get her running again. I assume the obvious, drain tank new filter and flush fuel system. New plugs and charge the battery,Oil change will be inorder also. Whould laquer thinner work for flushing the system? What about cleaning the injectors?

Any other thoughts?

alabbasi · #2 04-25-2007, 02:57 PM

As I understand it, it could be pretty bad. Putting gas in a Diesel car is a lot less damaging.

SwampYankee · #3 04-25-2007, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue 72 250

I am looking at buying a '72 280 4.5 for a old lady that gave her a drink of diesel and it "stopped running".... doh! Then the car sat over the winter outside.

I am wondering how much damage that would cause, and what would need to be replaced to get her running again. I assume the obvious, drain tank new filter and flush fuel system. New plugs and charge the battery,Oil change will be inorder also. Whould laquer thinner work for flushing the system? What about cleaning the injectors?

Any other thoughts?

Did she give you any idea what a "gulp" of diesel was? If she filled the tank with diesel and drove it until it stalled at minimum your looking at cleaning all of the gas carrying items and cleaning them out (tank, lines, injectors, etc.).

If it was an "oops I just put 3 gallons of diesel in my tank, I'll fill it the rest of the way with gas" it probably ran like crap and stalled out and you might be able to get away with draining and refilling with high test and some new plugs.

See if you can find out what exactly happened.

Fimum Fit · #4 04-25-2007, 03:58 PM

Usually, diesel in a gas burner just results in a lack of ignition and some possible clogging as the gas dissolves long dormant dirt, and often, if the mixture is still more gas than #2, the machine may continue to run while emitting great clouds of smoke. More than a small percentage of gas in cold weather in a diesel, however, can cause destructive preignition, etc., although sometimes the vehicle stalls before real damage is done.

Tomguy · #5 04-25-2007, 04:09 PM

A 4.5 isnt high-enough compression (stock) to cause a serious issue from running diesel. Flush the fuel system. Change the oil. It should be fine.

Blue 72 250 · #6 04-25-2007, 04:24 PM

I am scheduled to see the car this weekend. The lady does not know what happend when the car stopped working ( there is some issue of her memory) for example she told me that the car is a 72 280 4.5 DIESEL. My hypothesis is that one day she went to fill er up. She also has extensive maintenance records up to the time that the car "just stopped running". absent the obvious lack of spark I am going to start with the basic stuff to get it running.

t walgamuth · #7 04-25-2007, 06:39 PM

i have heard that diesel can damage gas injectors.

don't know if it is true or not.

otherwise i wouldn't think any damage would result, just as noted above smoke, rough running and low power.

tom w

Tomguy · #8 04-25-2007, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue 72 250

for example she told me that the car is a 72 280 4.5 DIESEL. My hypothesis is that one day she went to fill er up.

If the engine isn't seized it'll run again. 4.5's are almost impossible to kill! But a LOT of people think all older Mercedes are diesel. My friend is like "Is yours a diesel?" and I said "No, it's a fuel-injected V8" and he responded with "Diesel injection?"...

Blue 72 250 · #9 04-25-2007, 09:19 PM

Yeah I get that all the time with my m130, that is how I know when the valves need adjusted :-)