Gasoline pumped to diesel tank.....
 

Ouch! To bad!

Just to do a preliminary test, draw a sample from the fuel line so you
getting the same fuel your engine was getting. You could do this by
disconnectin the fuel pump discharge line and operating the hand priming
lever.

Put it in a clear glass jar and then go get some marine diesel a the fuel
dock and compare the two.. You should be able to tell from the color, if it
was deluted to 50/50. Of course the marine diesel should have a purple
color.. If you got the fuel at a highway gas station, the the diesel will be
almost clear in color..

If your still not sure, then pour a little out into an open pie tin and toss
a match in to it. If it flashes right up, then it's most likely it has gas
in it.. The straight diesel will just burn like kerosene (may even put the
match out).

If you ran your engine for even 8-10 min even with straight diesel at 280,
you are in trouble. It's a wonder it didn't seize. If she kept oil pressure,
the bearings may be ok but your cylinders may be scored. The fact that you
estimate a 50/50 mixture, may be enough to have saved them.. However if your
able to establish the liability of the fuel dock, then your fuel injector
pump and injectors will need to be tested by a shop and rebuilt or
replaced..

Good luck and hope for the best.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Gasoline pumped to diesel tank.....
 

Hi! I need your expertise or opinion.
I have diesel engine Volvo Penta MD3 on my sailboat .Just after refueling in
one of the marina(in 10 minutes) engine reached temp 280 F
I had to run the engine for another 8-10 minutes to drop the anchor and I
shut off the engine which was red hot.I suspect that they pumped 20 gal
gasoline instead of diesel.Capacity of the tank is 40 gal.I still have this
fuel in the tank.How can I check if gasoline is in the tank,mixed with
diesel ? Is it any method,way to analyze or find out.Maybe I should find the
lab or place that can be determine what this fuel consists.
If they pumped the gasoline accidentally or not the engine is probably
damaged.Thank You For Your Help.
Ytter

Gasoline pumped to diesel tank.....
 

Steve wrote:
Ouch! To bad!

If your still not sure, then pour a little out into an open pie tin and toss
a match in to it. If it flashes right up, then it's most likely it has gas
in it.. The straight diesel will just burn like kerosene (may even put the
match out).

Steve, have you ever done this? I've seen this from a distance of 50 yards with
the fire set by Fire Department personnel, and it was impressive. I'll tell you
this: Anyone close enough to have "toss(ed) a match in to it" would have been
burned seriously.

Not trying to one-up, but that advice scares the Hell out of me.

Gasoline pumped to diesel tank.....
 

What? You've never used gasoline as charcoal starter? ;-)

Seriously, the amount of fuel needed for this test is pretty small. If it
flares up, you have a pretty good answer.



"Chuck Bollinger" wrote in message
news:8Ev0c.426400$I06.4802346@attbi_s01...
Steve wrote:
Ouch! To bad!

If your still not sure, then pour a little out into an open pie tin and toss
a match in to it. If it flashes right up, then it's most likely it has gas
in it.. The straight diesel will just burn like kerosene (may even put the
match out).

Steve, have you ever done this? I've seen this from a distance of 50 yards
with
the fire set by Fire Department personnel, and it was impressive. I'll tell
you
this: Anyone close enough to have "toss(ed) a match in to it" would have been
burned seriously.

Not trying to one-up, but that advice scares the Hell out of me.

Gasoline pumped to diesel tank.....
 

Don't be fooled by this. You can sometimes, most times, toss a match
into an open can of gas and the match will go out. It is hard to get a
fire going that way.
It will flash if you have agitated the gas and there is a strong vapor
in the air above the open gas.

You could have mostly gas and it may or may not light.

regards
Gary

On Sun, 29 Feb 2004 19:50:53 -0500, "Jeff Morris"
wrote:

What? You've never used gasoline as charcoal starter? ;-)

Seriously, the amount of fuel needed for this test is pretty small. If it
flares up, you have a pretty good answer.



"Chuck Bollinger" wrote in message
news:8Ev0c.426400$I06.4802346@attbi_s01...
Steve wrote:
Ouch! To bad!

If your still not sure, then pour a little out into an open pie tin and toss
a match in to it. If it flashes right up, then it's most likely it has gas
in it.. The straight diesel will just burn like kerosene (may even put the
match out).

Steve, have you ever done this? I've seen this from a distance of 50 yards
with
the fire set by Fire Department personnel, and it was impressive. I'll tell
you
this: Anyone close enough to have "toss(ed) a match in to it" would have been
burned seriously.

Not trying to one-up, but that advice scares the Hell out of me.

Gasoline pumped to diesel tank.....
 

I think the suggestion was to put the suspect fuel in an open
pie plate. Should be plenty enough air to allow it to flash
if sufficient gas is present. I would think that a flash test is
not necessary. At a 50/50 concentration one should be able
to smell the gas anyway. If the engine was glowing red
hot, it is pretty much toast anyway.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Gary Schafer" wrote in message
...

Don't be fooled by this. You can sometimes, most times, toss a match
into an open can of gas and the match will go out. It is hard to get a
fire going that way.
It will flash if you have agitated the gas and there is a strong vapor
in the air above the open gas.

You could have mostly gas and it may or may not light.

regards
Gary

On Sun, 29 Feb 2004 19:50:53 -0500, "Jeff Morris"
wrote:

What? You've never used gasoline as charcoal starter? ;-)

Seriously, the amount of fuel needed for this test is pretty small. If
it
flares up, you have a pretty good answer.



"Chuck Bollinger" wrote in message
news:8Ev0c.426400$I06.4802346@attbi_s01...
Steve wrote:
Ouch! To bad!

If your still not sure, then pour a little out into an open pie tin
and toss
a match in to it. If it flashes right up, then it's most likely it
has gas
in it.. The straight diesel will just burn like kerosene (may even
put the
match out).

Steve, have you ever done this? I've seen this from a distance of 50
yards
with
the fire set by Fire Department personnel, and it was impressive. I'll
tell
you
this: Anyone close enough to have "toss(ed) a match in to it" would
have been
burned seriously.

Not trying to one-up, but that advice scares the Hell out of me.

Gasoline pumped to diesel tank.....
 

I should have said "open pie plate". No restriction above area that
gas is in.

regards
Gary

On Sun, 29 Feb 2004 20:24:40 -0500, "Doug Dotson"
wrote:

I think the suggestion was to put the suspect fuel in an open
pie plate. Should be plenty enough air to allow it to flash
if sufficient gas is present. I would think that a flash test is
not necessary. At a 50/50 concentration one should be able
to smell the gas anyway. If the engine was glowing red
hot, it is pretty much toast anyway.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Gary Schafer" wrote in message
.. .

Don't be fooled by this. You can sometimes, most times, toss a match
into an open can of gas and the match will go out. It is hard to get a
fire going that way.
It will flash if you have agitated the gas and there is a strong vapor
in the air above the open gas.

You could have mostly gas and it may or may not light.

regards
Gary

On Sun, 29 Feb 2004 19:50:53 -0500, "Jeff Morris"
wrote:

What? You've never used gasoline as charcoal starter? ;-)

Seriously, the amount of fuel needed for this test is pretty small. If
it
flares up, you have a pretty good answer.



"Chuck Bollinger" wrote in message
news:8Ev0c.426400$I06.4802346@attbi_s01...
Steve wrote:
Ouch! To bad!

If your still not sure, then pour a little out into an open pie tin
and toss
a match in to it. If it flashes right up, then it's most likely it
has gas
in it.. The straight diesel will just burn like kerosene (may even
put the
match out).

Steve, have you ever done this? I've seen this from a distance of 50
yards
with
the fire set by Fire Department personnel, and it was impressive. I'll
tell
you
this: Anyone close enough to have "toss(ed) a match in to it" would
have been
burned seriously.

Not trying to one-up, but that advice scares the Hell out of me.

Gasoline pumped to diesel tank.....
 

nobody mentioned just take the filler cap off the tank and sniff..


"Ytter" wrote in message
.. .
Hi! I need your expertise or opinion.
I have diesel engine Volvo Penta MD3 on my sailboat .Just after refueling
in
one of the marina(in 10 minutes) engine reached temp 280 F
I had to run the engine for another 8-10 minutes to drop the anchor and I
shut off the engine which was red hot.I suspect that they pumped 20 gal
gasoline instead of diesel.Capacity of the tank is 40 gal.I still have
this
fuel in the tank.How can I check if gasoline is in the tank,mixed with
diesel ? Is it any method,way to analyze or find out.Maybe I should find
the
lab or place that can be determine what this fuel consists.
If they pumped the gasoline accidentally or not the engine is probably
damaged.Thank You For Your Help.
Ytter

Gasoline pumped to diesel tank.....
 

On Sun, 29 Feb 2004 14:12:51 -0800, "Steve" wrote:


If your still not sure, then pour a little out into an open pie tin and toss
a match in to it. If it flashes right up, then it's most likely it has gas
in it.. The straight diesel will just burn like kerosene (may even put the
match out).

Is now a good time to mention that gas mixed with fuel oil is one of
the most explosive mixtures this side of dynamite or fuel oil and
fertilizer?

Sorry you destroyed your engine. I always found the pumps clearly
marked.



Larry W4CSC

No, no, Scotty! I said, "Beam me a wrench.", not a WENCH!
Kirk Out.....

Gasoline pumped to diesel tank.....
 

Larry W4CSC wrote:
On Sun, 29 Feb 2004 14:12:51 -0800, "Steve" wrote:
Sorry you destroyed your engine. I always found the pumps clearly
marked.

A number of years ago on our way down the coast in our Atomic-4 powered
Catalina 30, we stopped at Morrow Bay for fuel. The fuel dock there is
a VERY high one, maybe 8 or 9 feet above the water and I asked the
attendant to "Hand me down the unleaded". After filling my tank, I was
up in the office as he filled out the reciept, I saw him write "16 gal.
Diesel" and corrected him, telling him that it was unleaded. He said
"No, it was diesel". When I insisted that it was unleaded, he said
"Look, all we sell here is diesel. We don't have any gas pumps".

Oops!

--
Dan Best - (707) 431-1662, Healdsburg, CA 95448
B-2/75 1977-1979
Tayana 37 #192, "Tricia Jean"
http://rangerbest.home.comcast.net/TriciaJean.JPG

Gasoline pumped to diesel tank.....
 

Engsol! Engine would start-run for 3-4 sec and die,then I started again
after I checked thermostat-was OK,changed oil and filter.,I pushed the
throttle almost to the max ,black smoke,muddy,greasy,heavy smoke came out
with some water-engine run for 2 min and continue spiting this black water
and stopped abruptly,cut like a knife-mechanic was present when we did that
and said that he doesn't know what is wrong.He has spent 2 hours checking
what was wrong and left me without answer.Of course took the money for
trying.
Ytter
"engsol" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 29 Feb 2004 15:28:58 -0800, "Ytter"
wrote:

Hi! I need your expertise or opinion.
I have diesel engine Volvo Penta MD3 on my sailboat .Just after refueling
in
one of the marina(in 10 minutes) engine reached temp 280 F
I had to run the engine for another 8-10 minutes to drop the anchor and I
shut off the engine which was red hot.I suspect that they pumped 20 gal
gasoline instead of diesel.Capacity of the tank is 40 gal.I still have
this
fuel in the tank.How can I check if gasoline is in the tank,mixed with
diesel ? Is it any method,way to analyze or find out.Maybe I should find
the
lab or place that can be determine what this fuel consists.
If they pumped the gasoline accidentally or not the engine is probably
damaged.Thank You For Your Help.
Ytter


Steve's suggestion of putting a sample in a jar is good. I'd also suspect
that
the sample would separate after a few hours...gas on top, diesel on the
bottom.

You mention above that the engine was "red hot" after shut-down. What were
the indicators? The temp gauge only? "Frying" noises and smell of a hot
engine?
Smoke/smell from hot paint? Could a stuck-closed thermostat be the
problem?

One thing I'm curious about is how the engine ran with a 50/50 mixture.
I'd
think that since gas has a much lower flash point (it does, doesn't it?),
it
would have ignited earlier in the compression cycle, and made a heck of a
racket,
and that power would be low. Also, I'd think the exhaust would be quite
smoky.

Good luck...hope your mechanic says all's well.
Norm

Gasoline pumped to diesel tank.....
 

Ytter,

I have known of several gasoline in diesel engine situations.
I hope it did not actually happen that way. They seldom come out well.

After reading the entire thread - including your additions - I think you
may well have more that one problem - now. My personal bet (without any
actual contact) based on some experience, would be that the cylinder
head gasket got taken out. That will cause both the over heat problem,
the smoke and the bad running. I am somewhat surprized that the
mechanic did not have the cylinder head off.

Though I suspect your statement that the engine was red hot is an
exageration, if it got hot enough to blister the paint. You can count
on the engine requiring serious work before it is dependable again.
This will be as much as reboring the cylinders to get them round again
and doing a valve job because the seats are distorted.

If the engine is not easy to work on where it is, I suggest you
seriously consider getting it removed as that time required for the
minimum amount of work the engine is likely to require.

I leave you by saying that I sincerely hope that I am completely wrong.

Matt Colie
Lifelong Waterman, Licensed Mariner and Perpetual Sailor

Ytter wrote:
Engsol! Engine would start-run for 3-4 sec and die,then I started again
after I checked thermostat-was OK,changed oil and filter. I pushed the
throttle almost to the max, black smoke, muddy, greasy, heavy smoke came out
with some water-engine run for 2 min and continue spiting this black water
and stopped abruptly,cut like a knife-mechanic was present when we did that
and said that he doesn't know what is wrong.He has spent 2 hours checking
what was wrong and left me without answer. Of course took the money for
trying.
Ytter
"engsol" wrote in message
...

On Sun, 29 Feb 2004 15:28:58 -0800, "Ytter"

wrote:

Hi! I need your expertise or opinion.
I have diesel engine Volvo Penta MD3 on my sailboat .Just after refueling
in one of the marina(in 10 minutes) engine reached temp 280 F
I had to run the engine for another 8-10 minutes to drop the anchor and I
shut off the engine which was red hot.I suspect that they pumped 20 gal
gasoline instead of diesel.Capacity of the tank is 40 gal.I still have
this fuel in the tank.How can I check if gasoline is in the tank,mixed with
diesel ? Is it any method,way to analyze or find out.Maybe I should find
the lab or place that can be determine what this fuel consists.
If they pumped the gasoline accidentally or not the engine is probably
damaged. Thank You For Your Help.
Ytter

Gasoline pumped to diesel tank.....
 

hi
truckers used to add petrol to diesel in the winter to stop the diesel
waxing up

fragged

"Ytter" wrote in message
.. .
Hi! I need your expertise or opinion.
I have diesel engine Volvo Penta MD3 on my sailboat .Just after refueling
in
one of the marina(in 10 minutes) engine reached temp 280 F
I had to run the engine for another 8-10 minutes to drop the anchor and I
shut off the engine which was red hot.I suspect that they pumped 20 gal
gasoline instead of diesel.Capacity of the tank is 40 gal.I still have
this
fuel in the tank.How can I check if gasoline is in the tank,mixed with
diesel ? Is it any method,way to analyze or find out.Maybe I should find
the
lab or place that can be determine what this fuel consists.
If they pumped the gasoline accidentally or not the engine is probably
damaged.Thank You For Your Help.
Ytter

Gasoline pumped to diesel tank.....
 

Why mess around? Get in touch with your local Volvo distributor and get their
help. Draw a sample of the fuel and have it tested. If the fuel truly is
part-gasoline, they're the best authorities on diagnosing any damage.

Many years ago, a brain-dead yard mechanic fed gasoline to the new Westerbeke
diesel he'd installed for me. The yard paid to overhaul the injection pump and
the injectors. At last report, the engine was quite healthy.

Raise Hell!

Jim

Ytter wrote:

Hi! I need your expertise or opinion.
I have diesel engine Volvo Penta MD3 on my sailboat .Just after refueling in
one of the marina(in 10 minutes) engine reached temp 280 F
I had to run the engine for another 8-10 minutes to drop the anchor and I
shut off the engine which was red hot.I suspect that they pumped 20 gal
gasoline instead of diesel.Capacity of the tank is 40 gal.I still have this
fuel in the tank.How can I check if gasoline is in the tank,mixed with
diesel ? Is it any method,way to analyze or find out.Maybe I should find the
lab or place that can be determine what this fuel consists.
If they pumped the gasoline accidentally or not the engine is probably
damaged.Thank You For Your Help.
Ytter

Gasoline pumped to diesel tank.....
 

"Ytter" wrote in message
.. .
Engsol! Engine would start-run for 3-4 sec and die,then I started again
after I checked thermostat-was OK,changed oil and filter.,I pushed the
throttle almost to the max ,black smoke,muddy,greasy,heavy smoke came out
with some water-engine run for 2 min and continue spiting this black water
and stopped abruptly,cut like a knife-mechanic was present when we did
that
and said that he doesn't know what is wrong.He has spent 2 hours checking
what was wrong and left me without answer.Of course took the money for
trying.
Ytter

It does sound like the head gasket went. I bet if you pull the glow plugs
and crank it you will get water out of the cylinders (the reason it stopped
abruptly). Take a half gal of your diesel to somebody who can test the
density (specific gravity) of the fuel. Go back to the same pump and get
another gal and get a receipt. Then get a gal at another marina and have
them all tested. If the density of your fuel is the same as the dock pump
and close to the third pump then you have all diesel. If the 1st marina has
a lower density fuel compared to the 2nd marina then the 1st marina's tanks
have a mix... Gasoline has a lower density then diesel, actually if you
have access to a extremely accurate scale you could weigh a little of each
(subtracting out the weight of the container) and still find the density but
it would be easier to find somebody that has a hydrometer or a petroleum
diffractometer. A good diesel mechanic should be able to determine the
damage. Volvo may help you if you contact their customer service dept.,
after all it is their engine and they want your return business.

good luck,
mark

Gasoline pumped to diesel tank.....
 

On Sun, 29 Feb 2004 15:28:58 -0800, "Ytter"
vaguely proposed a theory
.......and in reply I say!:

If we are hearing the whole story....

Not meaning to be rude, but instead of sitting around discussing this,
get a move on. Get the fuel tested. It might cost $50. If it has
petrol in it and the situation at the fuel dock was such that you are
_sure_ that it was the dock's fault (you will need to argue this in
court maybe) then move fast to start asking for a fix. The longer you
leave this, the harder it will be for you to prove that you did not do
this yourself. If you really think that it is the dock's fault, then
do not run or touch the engine any more. Get the fuel tested and start
asking.

Again, iIf we are hearing the whole story.... I don't think much of
the mechanic that came out to look at the engine. After 2 hours he has
no idea of why an engine is spitting oil and water?

Hi! I need your expertise or opinion.
I have diesel engine Volvo Penta MD3 on my sailboat .Just after refueling in
one of the marina(in 10 minutes) engine reached temp 280 F
I had to run the engine for another 8-10 minutes to drop the anchor and I
shut off the engine which was red hot.I suspect that they pumped 20 gal

************************************************** ** sorry

..........no I'm not!
remove ns from my header address to reply via email

Spike....Spike? Hello?

Gasoline pumped to diesel tank.....
 

Larry,I didn't destroyed the guy who pumped the gas did !!!!!
"Larry W4CSC" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 29 Feb 2004 14:12:51 -0800, "Steve" wrote:


If your still not sure, then pour a little out into an open pie tin and
toss
a match in to it. If it flashes right up, then it's most likely it has
gas
in it.. The straight diesel will just burn like kerosene (may even put
the
match out).

Is now a good time to mention that gas mixed with fuel oil is one of
the most explosive mixtures this side of dynamite or fuel oil and
fertilizer?

Sorry you destroyed your engine. I always found the pumps clearly
marked.



Larry W4CSC

No, no, Scotty! I said, "Beam me a wrench.", not a WENCH!
Kirk Out.....

Gasoline pumped to diesel tank.....
 

If there is anything close to the amount of gasoline mixed with your diesel
fuel that you suspect, you will easily be able to smell it. Pull a small
sample and sniff it or first just simply take a whiff from your fuel fill .
It doesn't take much gasoline mixed with diesel for the gasoline smell to
become apparent. Obviously, this will not be scientific but it will give you
a direction to head.

--
Ron White
Boat building web address is
www.concentric.net/~knotreel

Gasoline pumped to diesel tank.....
 

On Mon, 1 Mar 2004 19:35:29 -0500, "rock_doctor"
wrote:


"Ytter" wrote in message
. ..
Engsol! Engine would start-run for 3-4 sec and die,then I started again
after I checked thermostat-was OK,changed oil and filter.,I pushed the
throttle almost to the max ,black smoke,muddy,greasy,heavy smoke came out
with some water-engine run for 2 min and continue spiting this black water
and stopped abruptly,cut like a knife///
Ytter

It does sound like the head gasket went. I bet if you pull the glow plugs
and crank it you will get water out of the cylinders (the reason it stopped
abruptly). Take a half gal of your diesel to somebody who can test the
density (specific gravity) of the fuel.
////
mark


Worthy advice - but the relative densities are quite close.
Better to test for viscosity.

This is not difficult: prepare a can with a nail hole knocked into
its base. Fill with each fuel in turn. Time the period to empty the
container. The way-slow one is diesel. This is the right test.

My opinion, as always.

Brian Whatcott Altus OK

Gasoline pumped to diesel tank.....
 

Larry W4CSC wrote:
On Sun, 29 Feb 2004 14:12:51 -0800, "Steve" wrote:



If your still not sure, then pour a little out into an open pie tin and toss
a match in to it. If it flashes right up, then it's most likely it has gas
in it.. The straight diesel will just burn like kerosene (may even put the
match out).


Is now a good time to mention that gas mixed with fuel oil is one of
the most explosive mixtures this side of dynamite or fuel oil and
fertilizer?

Sorry you destroyed your engine. I always found the pumps clearly
marked.



Larry W4CSC

No, no, Scotty! I said, "Beam me a wrench.", not a WENCH!
Kirk Out.....
Why is gasoline mixed with fuel oil any more explosive than gasoline by
itself? I can see that it might have more thermal energy, but why should
it be MORE explosive than gasoline by itself?

--
"There ain't no such thing as a free lunch"

Gasoline pumped to diesel tank.....
 

On Mon, 01 Mar 2004 20:23:06 -0600, dazed and confuzed
vaguely proposed a theory
.......and in reply I say!:

Interestingly, there was a claim here not long ago that mixing a bit
of diesel with petrol made it much _safer_ to weld around etc.

Why is gasoline mixed with fuel oil any more explosive than gasoline by
itself? I can see that it might have more thermal energy

It has less, actually, unless magic happens. Diesel has more than
petrol. Petrol is hotter, but has less actual output/litre.

, but why should it be MORE explosive than gasoline by itself?

I am interested as well.
************************************************** ** sorry

..........no I'm not!
remove ns from my header address to reply via email

Spike....Spike? Hello?

Gasoline pumped to diesel tank.....
 

Old Nick wrote:
On Mon, 01 Mar 2004 20:23:06 -0600, dazed and confuzed
vaguely proposed a theory
......and in reply I say!:

Interestingly, there was a claim here not long ago that mixing a bit
of diesel with petrol made it much _safer_ to weld around etc.


Why is gasoline mixed with fuel oil any more explosive than gasoline by
itself? I can see that it might have more thermal energy


It has less, actually, unless magic happens. Diesel has more than
petrol. Petrol is hotter, but has less actual output/litre.

That is what I meant....More than gasoline by itself.


, but why should it be MORE explosive than gasoline by itself?


I am interested as well.
************************************************** ** sorry

.........no I'm not!
remove ns from my header address to reply via email

Spike....Spike? Hello?


--
"There ain't no such thing as a free lunch"

Gasoline pumped to diesel tank.....
 

"Ytter" wrote in message ...
Hi! I need your expertise or opinion.
I have diesel engine Volvo Penta MD3 on my sailboat .Just after refueling in
one of the marina(in 10 minutes) engine reached temp 280 F
I had to run the engine for another 8-10 minutes to drop the anchor and I
shut off the engine which was red hot.I suspect that they pumped 20 gal
gasoline instead of diesel.Capacity of the tank is 40 gal.I still have this
fuel in the tank.How can I check if gasoline is in the tank,mixed with
diesel ? Is it any method,way to analyze or find out.Maybe I should find the
lab or place that can be determine what this fuel consists.
If they pumped the gasoline accidentally or not the engine is probably
damaged.Thank You For Your Help.
Ytter

Take a small sample from the fuel tank (or from the fuel filter),
spill it out on the ground, throw a match on it. If it burns, it's got
gas mixed in with it. You can throw matches on it all day and it won't
burn if it's diesel, which needs to be in the form of a mist to burn.

Gasoline pumped to diesel tank.....
 

On Tue, 02 Mar 2004 07:00:24 -0600, dazed and confuzed
vaguely proposed a theory
.......and in reply I say!:

Yes. Sorry. My bad read.

That is what I meant....More than gasoline by itself.


, but why should it be MORE explosive than gasoline by itself?


I am interested as well.

************************************************** ** sorry

..........no I'm not!
remove ns from my header address to reply via email

Spike....Spike? Hello?

Gasoline pumped to diesel tank.....
 

Dan Best wrote:

Larry W4CSC wrote:
On Sun, 29 Feb 2004 14:12:51 -0800, "Steve" wrote:
Sorry you destroyed your engine. I always found the pumps clearly
marked.

A number of years ago on our way down the coast in our Atomic-4 powered
Catalina 30, we stopped at Morrow Bay for fuel. The fuel dock there is
a VERY high one, maybe 8 or 9 feet above the water and I asked the
attendant to "Hand me down the unleaded". After filling my tank, I was
up in the office as he filled out the reciept, I saw him write "16 gal.
Diesel" and corrected him, telling him that it was unleaded. He said
"No, it was diesel". When I insisted that it was unleaded, he said
"Look, all we sell here is diesel. We don't have any gas pumps".

Oops!

Doesn't that remind you of the urban legend about the lighthouse
keeper and the arrogant aircraft carrier commander arguing on the
radiotelephone about who should change course?

Doesn't one need a certain arrogance to rise to the position of flat
top commander? What kind of personality does it take to be a
lighthouse driver? Do they share a stoic sense of duty?

If the compression, lube oil pressure, fuel pump and injectors are
still good enough, or can be made good enough to run the engine
smoothly without clanking noises, change out the bad fuel for real
diesel, and it might run ok for some time. Only a teardown and
qualified mech can assess subtle and hidden damage before
performance losses prove that engine life has been shortened.

You will need the invoice for the completed work, and evidence that
the gas jerk mis-fuelled you, entirely without your negligence,
before a judge would award you all of the damages. It likely won't
be in a small claims court.

How was your insurance at the time of trouble? Document the
incident. It won't come to justice until the damage is demonstrable.
Your insurance co. would take them to court after the claim, to
recover their costs if you are covered. If not, it will be you and
your lawyer against the world. Perhaps some partial settlement in
lieu of a court battle?

To tear down or not is the question. How well will you sleep at sea
near mid ocean with a suspect engine? What would it take to restore
your confidence?

Loss of enjoyment of your boat itself constitutes damage, equivalent
to reducing the value of your boat to zero, or by the amount
required to regain confidence in it again. Ephemeral damages like
that are very dodgy to quantify, unless you get lucky and find
yourself before a judge who is rabidly avid about sailing.



Terry K

Gasoline pumped to diesel tank.....
 

Diesel does NOT have to be in a mist form to burn. The way we start our
Olympic diesel stove is to let a small amount of diesel wet the bottom of
the fire box (even a small puddle) and throw a burning piece of paper towel
in the puddle. Diesel starts burning, slowly, and builds.
"John" wrote in message
om...
"Ytter" wrote in message
...
Hi! I need your expertise or opinion.
I have diesel engine Volvo Penta MD3 on my sailboat .Just after
refueling in
one of the marina(in 10 minutes) engine reached temp 280 F
I had to run the engine for another 8-10 minutes to drop the anchor and
I
shut off the engine which was red hot.I suspect that they pumped 20 gal
gasoline instead of diesel.Capacity of the tank is 40 gal.I still have
this
fuel in the tank.How can I check if gasoline is in the tank,mixed with
diesel ? Is it any method,way to analyze or find out.Maybe I should find
the
lab or place that can be determine what this fuel consists.
If they pumped the gasoline accidentally or not the engine is probably
damaged.Thank You For Your Help.
Ytter

Take a small sample from the fuel tank (or from the fuel filter),
spill it out on the ground, throw a match on it. If it burns, it's got
gas mixed in with it. You can throw matches on it all day and it won't
burn if it's diesel, which needs to be in the form of a mist to burn.

Gasoline pumped to diesel tank.....
 

In article ,
"Ytter" wrote:

Engsol! Engine would start-run for 3-4 sec and die,then I started again
after I checked thermostat-was OK,changed oil and filter.,I pushed the
throttle almost to the max ,black smoke,muddy,greasy,heavy smoke came out
with some water-engine run for 2 min and continue spiting this black water
and stopped abruptly,cut like a knife-mechanic was present when we did that
and said that he doesn't know what is wrong.He has spent 2 hours checking
what was wrong and left me without answer.Of course took the money for
trying.
Ytter

The overheating sounds bad. Hope you were exaggerating.

The black smoke and dying COULD be something else, though: As soon as I
poured on cruise power after our first fill one season (late June after
a November end-of-season fill), we got just about what you describe and
thought for sure I'd put gas into the tank. Long story short: Had to
change the filters twice, then clean the last one (I only carry 2
spares), bleeding each time. Was a BIG shot of algae.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/