My Mom Put Diesel Gas In Her 04' 4runner!!!help!!!

[eremoy]

So my mom just called my dad and told him she accidentally put 2 gallons of diesel in her 2004 toyota 4runner. She didn't start it though (thank god) and now we need to get it towed home to drain the tank. Now heres the question, how do we go about draining the tank???

thank you!!!

 

[Kmvreter]

Use a length of small diameter plastic tubing down the filler neck to siphon it out.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Use a length of small diameter plastic tubing down the filler neck to siphon it out.

:iagree: Truth of it is 2 gallons of diesel, if dilluted by a FULL 20 gallons of gasoline, would probably be fine. If you siphon out all but the last gallon or three and refill it with new, pure gasoline prior to starting it you'll be 100% ok. If I made that mistake my goal would be to get the dillution rate to well under 10% and then I wouldn't tow until that fuel was gone. That's all I would do...

:cheers:

 

[NCSCOTT]

:iagree: Truth of it is 2 gallons of diesel, if dilluted by a FULL 20 gallons of gasoline, would probably be fine. If you siphon out all but the last gallon or three and refill it with new, pure gasoline prior to starting it you'll be 100% ok. If I made that mistake my goal would be to get the dillution rate to well under 10% and then I wouldn't tow until that fuel was gone. That's all I would do...

:cheers:

2 Gallons is only 8.7% of the 23 gallon tank. I would just fill it up with gas and run with it. I really don't think you will have a problem. The computer should be able to adjust for any knock or pinging. If you are really worried refill it again @ 1/2 tank. That would in theory bring it down to 4.35%.

Good luck

 

[eremoy]

:iagree: Truth of it is 2 gallons of diesel, if dilluted by a FULL 20 gallons of gasoline, would probably be fine. If you siphon out all but the last gallon or three and refill it with new, pure gasoline prior to starting it you'll be 100% ok. If I made that mistake my goal would be to get the dillution rate to well under 10% and then I wouldn't tow until that fuel was gone. That's all I would do...

:cheers:

I heard this could damage the CAT or foul an O2 sensor though?

 

[shuly]

If you are that concerned then: siphon multiple times. If you fill the tank and siphon a total of 3 times you should be above 99% clean. This is typical of industry purges on w/ nitrogen or rinses in certain processes. But mathematically after the 3rd rinse it will be as clean as you can get it >99%. You may have to tow the vehicle back and forth and somehow dispose of the fuel but it would guarantee the tank is free from diesel.

 

[MikesToy]

That sucks. Isn't there a drain plug underneath the gas tank? Siphoning out 23 gallons would be a waste and a pain in da butt.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Has anybody actually tired to siphon gas from most new cars. Alot of them have a screen in the filler neck to prevent this from being done and 4Runners might be one of them.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I heard this could damage the CAT or foul an O2 sensor though?

Concentration is key... What's the exact # I don't know. I know a year a two ago when the sulfur level of the diesel went way down fouling O2 sensors and exhaust components became much less of an issue.

:cheers:

 

[NCSCOTT]

Have you ever seen the Fuel Injector/System cleaner, I think it is made by STP that says on the bottle "Made with JET FUEL". Jet Fuel is nothing but Glorified Kerosene/Diesel. You can put straight Jet A (Jet Fuel) into a diesel pickup and run it all day. I know a guy the bails hay on an airport and has runs it in all his John Deere Tractors for over 20 years with no problems.

My point is if you are that concerned about it siphon/drain it once and fill it up and go. There is not going to be that much in there to worry about.

 

[cknsls@adelphia]

HOW?

Have you ever seen the Fuel Injector/System cleaner, I think it is made by STP that says on the bottle "Made with JET FUEL". Jet Fuel is nothing but Glorified Kerosene/Diesel. You can put straight Jet A (Jet Fuel) into a diesel pickup and run it all day. I know a guy the bails hay on an airport and has runs it in all his John Deere Tractors for over 20 years with no problems.

My point is if you are that concerned about it siphon/drain it once and fill it up and go. There is not going to be that much in there to worry about.

How did she put the wrong fuel in when the nozzles are skinnier for the unleaded gas?

Are you sure she put the wrong fuel in?

 

[Uneek]

That sucks. Isn't there a drain plug underneath the gas tank? Siphoning out 23 gallons would be a waste and a pain in da butt.

Nope. I think most newer cars do not have a drain plug for the gas tank. I know several recent Toyota models call for drilling the gas tank to drain it. There's a marked spot for drilling.

How handy would a drain plug be for gas theives. About half a year to a year ago, when gas prices were steadily rising, theives resorted to drilling gas tanks of SUVs and trucks to steal the gas.

 

[eremoy]

definetly cant siphon it because there is an anti-theft screen on the gas hole....so do we really need to drill it like that one guy said. I was also thinking of draining it at the hose that connects to the fuel filter but i dont know where that is.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

definetly cant siphon it because there is an anti-theft screen on the gas hole....so do we really need to drill it like that one guy said. I was also thinking of draining it at the hose that connects to the fuel filter but i dont know where that is.

Can you get underneath and disconnect the filler pipe? Would that allow you to slip in a little piece of vinyl tubing to siphon the fuel? That's assuming the anti-siphon screen is in that hose rather than right in the opening.

I stand by my original point. If your Mom swears up & down she didn't exceed 2 gallons just top it off with gasoline and drive it... When it gets to 3/4 or 1/2 a tank top it off again.

Good luck!

:cheers:

 

[NCSCOTT]

definetly cant siphon it because there is an anti-theft screen on the gas hole....so do we really need to drill it like that one guy said. I was also thinking of draining it at the hose that connects to the fuel filter but i dont know where that is.

That is after the fuel pump. You will not be able to siphon it from there. You may be able to disconnect one of the fuel lines, like the one at the filter and turn the key to the on position and the pump may pump it out for you. I am not sure I never tried this.

When you first turn the key to on without starting it after it has been sitting over night you can hear the fuel pump build up pressure and then shut off if you listen carefully with the door open.

I would not drill the tank!!! You will compromise the tank integrity and the chances of you getting it sealed 100% again I think are slim. The first place it is going to fail in the case of a crash is where you drilled and patched it.

I have dropped fuel tanks from 2 different vehicles in the last 3 years, 2000 tahoe and 99 grand am. I have not done it on a 4Runner thou. It really doesn't look that hard. There is a large metal skid plate under the tank connected to the frame in various places by bolts. This will take 2 people and a floor jack with a large board to help you lower it down. After you remove the skid plate there are probably between 2-4 2" metal straps holding the tank in place. With say a 2ft x 3ft board under the tank supporting it with the jack or 2, remove the straps they are usually held in by bolts to the frame. Slowly lower the tank a couple inches (you will have to steady it by hand) and look for the electrical connector to the pump and fuel lines, there should be at least 3 lines (feedline, return line, and one to the vapor canister which is part of the emmissions system. The fuel lines on newer vehicles are usual held on by some sort of quick disconnect with tabs that will have to be depressed to pull them free. You will also need to disconnect the filler hose also. It is usually held on by a hose clamp of sorts. After disconnecting everything slowly lower the tank while looking for any connection you may have missed. It may not lower straight down. You may have to jockey it side to side or front to back. Do everything slowly and take your time. Once it is down there may be a locking collar holding the fuel pump into the tank. You will have to figure out how to remove it.
Pull the pump and figure out how you need to drain the tank. There should be a big opening with the pump removed.

These are just general instructions. It is more time consuming than difficult. This is probably the best option if you really feel the need to drain it.

Good luck

 

[eremoy]

That is after the fuel pump. You will not be able to siphon it from there. You may be able to disconnect one of the fuel lines, like the one at the filter and turn the key to the on position and the pump may pump it out for you. I am not sure I never tried this.

When you first turn the key to on without starting it after it has been sitting over night you can hear the fuel pump build up pressure and then shut off if you listen carefully with the door open.

I would not drill the tank!!! You will compromise the tank integrity and the chances of you getting it sealed 100% again I think are slim. The first place it is going to fail in the case of a crash is where you drilled and patched it.

I have dropped fuel tanks from 2 different vehicles in the last 3 years, 2000 tahoe and 99 grand am. I have not done it on a 4Runner thou. It really doesn't look that hard. There is a large metal skid plate under the tank connected to the frame in various places by bolts. This will take 2 people and a floor jack with a large board to help you lower it down. After you remove the skid plate there are probably between 2-4 2" metal straps holding the tank in place. With say a 2ft x 3ft board under the tank supporting it with the jack or 2, remove the straps they are usually held in by bolts to the frame. Slowly lower the tank a couple inches (you will have to steady it by hand) and look for the electrical connector to the pump and fuel lines, there should be at least 3 lines (feedline, return line, and one to the vapor canister which is part of the emmissions system. The fuel lines on newer vehicles are usual held on by some sort of quick disconnect with tabs that will have to be depressed to pull them free. You will also need to disconnect the filler hose also. It is usually held on by a hose clamp of sorts. After disconnecting everything slowly lower the tank while looking for any connection you may have missed. It may not lower straight down. You may have to jockey it side to side or front to back. Do everything slowly and take your time. Once it is down there may be a locking collar holding the fuel pump into the tank. You will have to figure out how to remove it.
Pull the pump and figure out how you need to drain the tank. There should be a big opening with the pump removed.

These are just general instructions. It is more time consuming than difficult. This is probably the best option if you really feel the need to drain it.

Good luck

ITS FIXED!!! I found the fuel line right underneath and disconnected it. we then hooked up a pump to it but it was slow as hell so I got the bright idea of putting the exhaust from a shop vaccum to the gas fill hole then the pressure forced out the 6 gallons of gas into a bucket in about 30 minutes. Put some gas back in, fired it up, works fine....idled a little weird at first but it went away.

Its weird though the dash said it had only 10 miles left on it when it was re-fueled with the 2.5 gallons of diesel. But we ended up with about 5-6 gallons after draining it. (shouldn't we have ended up with about 3-3.25 gallons at about 17mpg) I guess the distance 'till empty feature is a little unaccurate...more than I though it would be too.

 

[Uneek]

Nope. I think most newer cars do not have a drain plug for the gas tank. I know several recent Toyota models call for drilling the gas tank to drain it. There's a marked spot for drilling.

How handy would a drain plug be for gas theives. About half a year to a year ago, when gas prices were steadily rising, theives resorted to drilling gas tanks of SUVs and trucks to steal the gas.

Need to clarify, Toyota saying the tank needs to be drilled is when the vehicle and gas tank is being dispose of. The tank is not to be drilled and then reused.

Sorry for the confusion.

 

[NCSCOTT]

Its weird though the dash said it had only 10 miles left on it when it was re-fueled with the 2.5 gallons of diesel. But we ended up with about 5-6 gallons after draining it. (shouldn't we have ended up with about 3-3.25 gallons at about 17mpg) I guess the distance 'till empty feature is a little unaccurate...more than I though it would be too.

There is a reserve built in. Even at 0 miles left diplayed you should not be completely out of fuel. I have run both my 04 & 08 to 0 miles left, the 04 with 0 displayed will have 1.5 - 2 Gallons left, the 08 will have 2.0-2.5 gallons left.

So even with zero displayed you should be able to easily drive 15-25 miles to make it to a gas station, granted the needle will be fully under the E.

 

[nated05]

Re: HOW?

How did she put the wrong fuel in when the nozzles are skinnier for the unleaded gas?

Are you sure she put the wrong fuel in?

Thats what I was thinking, how did she do it? The diesel pump nozzle wont even fit into a normal gas filler tube.

 

[eremoy]

There is a reserve built in. Even at 0 miles left diplayed you should not be completely out of fuel. I have run both my 04 & 08 to 0 miles left, the 04 with 0 displayed will have 1.5 - 2 Gallons left, the 08 will have 2.0-2.5 gallons left.

So even with zero displayed you should be able to easily drive 15-25 miles to make it to a gas station, granted the needle will be fully under the E.

ahhh I thought so.