filled 240d with gasoline - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 06-19-2002, 12:38 PM

I pulled a blunder and filled my 240d diesel with gas, about 13 gals of gas and drove aprox. 2 miles home and the car started running rough, I realized what I did. Turned it off and awaiting a towing trip to the mechanic. I have read posts here that say there is probably no problems if I drain all the components and some posts say it could do major damage. Is there any help out there ???? I would greatly appreciate it............

ddharris

Jack500 · #2 06-19-2002, 12:53 PM

My wife did this to her 300D several years ago. Fortunately she made it home before the engine quit. I jacked up the left front side of the vehicle and used a siphon hose to get as much fuel as possible out of the tank. I then removed the fuel filter, dumped out the gasoline and refilled with diesel. The engine fired right up with no apparent problems. I had called the dealership before doing this and was told there was nothing to worry about. The biggest problem is getting enough containers to hold the tainted gasoline and then properly disposing of it.

car54 · #3 06-19-2002, 03:29 PM

It is true, little or no damage will result.

Simply pump all you can out, replace it with as much diesel as possible to dilute the gas out, change the filter and prefil the new one with diesel. You can try using the hand pump to circulate as much diesel into the system as possible before starting.

Even if any damage did occur, theres nothing you can do about it but wait for the part to fail and replace it. Most likely the car will live happily ever after.

#4 06-19-2002, 04:01 PM

Thanks for the prompt reply to the two posts. It makes me feel much better !!! And I have been warning my wife about doing this for years !!!!!

haasman · #5 06-20-2002, 01:00 AM

I also read in this forum about how Mercedes even OK'd diluting diesel with gas in ultra cold climates. Try a search to find.

My Dad used to have a VW diesel Rabbit. He was very smart and often preoccupied. He so frequently filled the car with gasoline, that the local gas station wouldn't even charge him to empty the tank. They thought it was very funny how often it happened.

Like the stories from the VW Beetle years ago, we'd borrow his car and would put a few gallons of diesel in it without him knowing it. He checked his mileage religiously. He regularly reported increased mileage: 35, 40, 45, 50! 60 MPG. We finally told him at 85 MPG. You know we were a bit sorry after all of it, for he was really disappointed he wasn’t actually getting 85 MPG.