Help! Put a gallon of diesel in my Yaris!

[Strat]

While refueling, I was thinking of a million things and accidentally put a gallon of diesel in the gas tank. I filled up with regular gas once I noticed my mistake thinking that the small amount should be diluted enough among the entire tank's worth of regular gas.

What should I do? Am I freaking out for nothing because it's such a small amount? Or do I absolutely need to bring it to the mechanic to have the tank drained entirely?

[BLKHILLSGUY]

Get it drained IMMEDIATELY. I wouldn't even start it. Have it towed. That's my take on it.

[CTScott]

A gallon to a full tank would probably be OK, but although it might not hurt the fuel system, it may damage the catalytic converter.

[Rigaud]

Originally Posted by CTScott

A gallon to a full tank would probably be OK, but although it might not hurt the fuel system, it may damage the catalytic converter.

Yes your right, won't do much or damage engine compared to gas in diesel engine but...........it will most likely effect the cat by clogging it to some extent.

[Strat]

Had to go to the store to pick something up real quick. Noticed the acceleration was somewhat hesitant. I drive a stick. Especially 0 to 1, it's more stubborn... as if it needs an extra push.

I'm thinking of simply bringing it to the mechanic to have the tank drained. Roughly how much should that cost (just to ensure I'm not getting ripped off)?

[CoryM]

I'm a little surprised the diesel nozzle fit in the yaris filler-neck. 4L of 40L isn't a huge amount. If you aren't noticing any symptoms other than the slight loss of power, I would just drive it until the tank is 1/2 down, then refill. You shouldn't see any cat. damage from that amount/duration. If you want it drained, most shops will just suck it out with a fuel-caddy. I'd probably charge 0.5-0.8H for a little Yaris.

Cheers.

[NYC-SE]

I say drive it. If it was only a gallon it shouldn't have much negative effect considering it was diluted in a full tank of gasoline. Maybe some slight loss of power like you noticed. Diesel will lower the octane of your fuel. (Cetane is essentially an opposite of octane). Drive it down to half a tank then fill with premium gas to get the total octane back up to normal.

Also diesel nowadays is ULSD, ultra low sulfur. So while it is still dirtier than gasoline it is not as dirty as in the old days. What I'm trying to say is I think your catalytic converter will be OK.

If it was me I'd drive it.

[bronsin]

Interesting dilemma. I would have it drained. But it would be good to know if you could get away without draining.

Seems like they ought to come up with a way to prevent this sort of thing...

[NYC-SE]

Originally Posted by bronsin

Seems like they ought to come up with a way to prevent this sort of thing...

The pump handles are supposed to be different sizes. Gas handles are the smallest. Diesel pumps are larger diameter, in fact they are the old leaded gas pump handles. Then there is really big diesel pump handles for trucks.

But it is just "industry standard", it's not a real law, and as a result you can find mismatched pump handles all over the place.

I used to drive a diesel car. So many stories of fellow diesel drivers filling their cars with gasoline can be found among the various diesel enthusiasts forums. This was always a topic of discussion.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by NYC-SE

The pump handles are supposed to be different sizes. Gas handles are the smallest. Diesel pumps are larger diameter, in fact they are the old leaded gas pump handles. Then there is really big diesel pump handles for trucks.

But it is just "industry standard", it's not a real law, and as a result you can find mismatched pump handles all over the place.

I used to drive a diesel car. So many stories of fellow diesel drivers filling their cars with gasoline can be found among the various diesel enthusiasts forums. This was always a topic of discussion.

Very interesting. I also find the very different 'handle/nozzle mechanisms' I've seen in different U.S. states and also how different vintages of pumps (even some with rotating wheel displays)'weave into that tapestry' quite interesting.. The mechanisms that leave me SMH the most are the newest ones in California...with a 'straight jacket' to try to prevent the customer from filling without a seal.

I've also put 86 octane in both my '07 Yaris and my '14 Yaris in states where many pumps have 86 octane as the 'regular' grade...and I've never noticed any ill effects.

[tmontague]

Originally Posted by bronsin

Seems like they ought to come up with a way to prevent this sort of thing...

...they have, large print signs stating which fuel corresponds to each pump...sorry but someone had to say it

[IllusionX]

Originally Posted by NYC-SE

The pump handles are supposed to be different sizes. Gas handles are the smallest. Diesel pumps are larger diameter, in fact they are the old leaded gas pump handles. Then there is really big diesel pump handles for trucks.

But it is just "industry standard", it's not a real law, and as a result you can find mismatched pump handles all over the place.

I used to drive a diesel car. So many stories of fellow diesel drivers filling their cars with gasoline can be found among the various diesel enthusiasts forums. This was always a topic of discussion.

There are plenty places that have both standard and big nozzle for diesel, since many smaller diesel cars have a smaller filler neck, like a Smart ForTwo for instance.

In Canada, diesel nozzle is usually defined by yellow.



Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by tmontague

...they have, large print signs stating which fuel corresponds to each pump...sorry but someone had to say it

Bronsin lives in New Jersey. Not a thing that many Canadians would probably know, but the State of New Jersey does not allow customers to pump their own fuel. I know, it is a ridiculous regulation . My understanding is that the primary reason this regulation is still in place is desire to prevent the unemployment rate from increasing. There is one other U.S. state that has the same regulation.....Oregon. A motel owner from Medford, Oregon told me this regulation stays in place in Oregon for the same reason I stated re New Jersey.

[tmontague]

I knew about the NJ laws w/ pumping gas, but was aware as to their reasoning behind it. I'm assuming it wasn't a gas attendant that filled the OP's car w/ diesel? If that was thee case than the responsibility should rest on their shoulders

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by tmontague

I knew about the NJ laws w/ pumping gas, but was aware as to their reasoning behind it. I'm assuming it wasn't a gas attendant that filled the OP's car w/ diesel? If that was thee case than the responsibility should rest on their shoulders

Bronsin isn't the OP. My point was that Bronsin might not have noticed what you were pointing out to him re the 'lay of the land' so to speak while standing at a pump because he fills up in New Jersey and the attendant would always be the one standing in front of the pump and seeing 'the lay of the land' instead of Bronsin .

[tmontague]

Very true, point taken

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by tmontague

Very true, point taken

[BLKHILLSGUY]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

Bronsin lives in New Jersey. Not a thing that many Canadians would probably know, but the State of New Jersey does not allow customers to pump their own fuel. I know, it is a ridiculous regulation . My understanding is that the primary reason this regulation is still in place is desire to prevent the unemployment rate from increasing. There is one other U.S. state that has the same regulation.....Oregon. A motel owner from Medford, Oregon told me this regulation stays in place in Oregon for the same reason I stated re New Jersey.

I won't be moving to NJ. I like to pump my own gas. I don't overfill it or get any on the paint. I'm a "shaker." It's just my nature.