Regular Unleaded put in my diesel.. help

[pcleez]

Hey guys. I have a 2009 F250 diesel FX4 crewcab with 5k miles on it. I made the mistake of allowing my brother to borrow it yesterday. The low fuel light was on when he borrowed it and he continued to drive it until it was almost out of gas. I guess the station he went to didn't have a diesel, and he took the bright green cap saying DIESEL ONLY as a recommendation, not a rule. He put about 8-9 gallons in it, drove about a mile and a half until the truck stalled.

I had it towed back to my house. As I understand, there are two filters that need be replaced, the tank dumped and the lines flushed. I would assume the injectors would need to be cleaned also? When I called my dealer he said it was going to be $1500-$1800 to fix, due mostly to ten hours of labor. After climbing under the truck and taking a good look, it seems theres just a switch on the tank for "drain." However- I could only find one filter, under the hood. It doesn't seem that hard to get to, however.

I guess my question really is do I need to bring it to the dealer? Obviously it's been towed to my house and i haven't tried to do anything, as I don't want to try to start it unless I think I've gotten all the regular gas out of there. What I'm afraid of, though, is voiding my warranty by trying to fix this myself, and then 10k down the road having another problem. So has anyone done this on the 6.4 and can help me out? Thanks!

 

[DaveBen]

There is a "filter" on the frame under the drivers seat. It is called the FICM and the filter is in that module. That can be changed easily. Dropping the tank is not too difficult, but purging the lines of gas will be another think that I am not sure about. Your warranty will depend on having done this properly. I am not familiar with the 6.4 fuel system. I would take it into the dealer and let him fix it. I know this is a big cost, but so is your truck...

Dave

 

[pcleez]

Thanks- I guess I should be a little more clear- as I am in graduate school and have $300 to my name- me paying to get it fixed is out of the question. My Dad is an anti get it fixed by the dealer guy, but I purchased this truck with the hope that it would last me the better part of a decade, and I am deathly afraid that I'll "fix" it only to have it do some major damage later on down the road, with a voided warranty.. leaving me out of luck completely.

 

[JLDickmon]

welp,
here's what I would do..
dump the tank into a couple 5 gallon cans, save it for the lawnmower or some Molotov cocktails..

from what I understand, the 6.4 is a regulated return common rail fuel system, what's in the lines is going to be flushed back into the fuel tank..
put a gallon or so of TCW3 two-stoke oil in the tank and fill it with diesel fuel...
change your filters..
cycle the pump about a dozen times with the key (10 seconds on, 30 seconds off)...

kick your brother's ass for being a moron..

try and start the truck..
it might put up a fuss..

best advise I can give you other than ripping the whole thing apart yourself, which WILL void the warranty...

 

[JRJ04]

im not sure if theres a fuel line drain valve anywhere like there is on the housing of the 7.3's...but if there is...cycle the key several times and just keep flushing it all out of there.

yea...and kick his ass...thats just completely unacceptable...

 

[BIG DUTY]

If it needs to go to the dealer than you shouldnt be paying for the bill, your brother should. If I did this to my brothers truck I would be lucky to be alive right now.

 

[jwbdually]

If it needs to go to the dealer than you shouldnt be paying for the bill, your brother should. If I did this to my brothers truck I would be lucky to be alive right now.

+1, I would make my brother collect change on the corner till he could pay the dealer and the tow bill.

 

[Zookie400]

welp,
here's what I would do..
dump the tank into a couple 5 gallon cans, save it for the lawnmower or some Molotov cocktails..

from what I understand, the 6.4 is a regulated return common rail fuel system, what's in the lines is going to be flushed back into the fuel tank..
put a gallon or so of TCW3 two-stoke oil in the tank and fill it with diesel fuel...
change your filters..
cycle the pump about a dozen times with the key (10 seconds on, 30 seconds off)...

kick your brother's ass for being a moron..

try and start the truck..
it might put up a fuss..

best advise I can give you other than ripping the whole thing apart yourself, which WILL void the warranty...

i will build on this a little more..........

the common rail fuel system is your savior when it comes to gasoline in the mix. the rail pressure is so high (anywhere from 2000-25+000psi) that it creates a LOT of heat. diesel fuel can handle the heat, gasoline cannot.

when the super heated (pressurized) gasoline exits the rail, it turns to vapor, and causes the engine to "lose its prime" or "vapor lock".

drain the tank as much as you can, change the filters, fill the tank with diesel and a healthy amount of 2 stroke oil. you should be good.

 

[ckamp52]

yeah definitely needs a thump on the head... wont learn with no consequences haha

 

[bob68vw]

What's bad is when the dealer does the same thing, my friend bought his truck at a dealer in arizona, they went to fill it up and I guess they thought the big hole where the fuel goes just meant more room for the nozzle. They put about 15 to 20 gallons, he didn't even get to drive it home and it was already on a tow truck, all he got for the headache a dash mat... pcleez I can tell you he has had the truck for 4 years and 107000 miles and no problems.