Marshall 357
Member
Got a bad tank of gas at the gas station, truck is running like garbage,put a can of Water-out in it,but still running rough. Any Ideas?
Bad tank of gas
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Marshall 357
Member
Got a bad tank of gas at the gas station, truck is running like garbage,put a can of Water-out in it,but still running rough. Any Ideas?
Jack Flash
Member
I've had that happen too. My solution is just to top it up with good gas as the crappy stuff is used up.
The only other thing you could do would be to drain or pump out the crappy gas. If you have a large gas tank, that could require some effort. Unless the engine sounds like it is about to fly apart, I would just keep introducing good gas into the tank as fast as possible.
The only other thing you could do would be to drain or pump out the crappy gas. If you have a large gas tank, that could require some effort. Unless the engine sounds like it is about to fly apart, I would just keep introducing good gas into the tank as fast as possible.
Bruce51
Member
Are you sure it is bad gas? All gasoline comes from just a very few refineries so it doesn't sit around too long. Water contamination is a possibily but maybe you need a new fuel filter or have had a vacuum line failure. How about the make, model, engine, mileage and year of the vehicle for some solid mechanical advice from the members. Bruce
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Marshall 357
Member
I always get my gas from the same station,it started running funny on my way to Kentucky,changed the filter and filler up 4 more times was running great in Kentucky, filled up in Michigan at my favorite station,20 minutes later its running like crap. I think its bad gas.
Bruce51
Member
I would find me a new station. Did someone at the station dump diesel in the gasoline tank? Good luck. Bruce
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Marshall 357
Member
NO. I pumped it myself. I Love this site,you guys are so cool !!!!! Thanks
Bruce51
Member
Sorry, I mean the main holding tank of the station. Smell the gas and see if it you can detect the oder of diesel.Bruce
rburg
Member
Here's the bad news: You can't magically make bad gas into good stuff. Once you've got a tankful, you either have to pump it out and discard it, or live with it.
I'm not sure I like the advice (but maybe its good) of just adding good stuff to the bad. You might end up doing that for a week or two, and still have it running like crap.
What most of us do is first, go back to the favorite station and speak with the manager. Talking to the clerk is a waste of time, and they had nothing to do with it. But if others are complaining, too, you can be sure of the source. Then fill a 5 gallon can with assumed good fuel, from another station. Pack up the family and take an extended drive at highway speed. Its easier and cheaper than trying to pump it out and finding a place to discard it.
Only use the good fuel if it gets so bad you can't drive on it. Chances are a few hundred miles (and a few hours, like 5 or 6) you can run it down to below a quarter tank. Then fill it with good stuff from a station out on the interstate (heavily traveled, so high turnover in the tank.) I'd run premium, just to get the extra alcohol to dilute any water if thats the problem.
I'm not sure I like the advice (but maybe its good) of just adding good stuff to the bad. You might end up doing that for a week or two, and still have it running like crap.
What most of us do is first, go back to the favorite station and speak with the manager. Talking to the clerk is a waste of time, and they had nothing to do with it. But if others are complaining, too, you can be sure of the source. Then fill a 5 gallon can with assumed good fuel, from another station. Pack up the family and take an extended drive at highway speed. Its easier and cheaper than trying to pump it out and finding a place to discard it.
Only use the good fuel if it gets so bad you can't drive on it. Chances are a few hundred miles (and a few hours, like 5 or 6) you can run it down to below a quarter tank. Then fill it with good stuff from a station out on the interstate (heavily traveled, so high turnover in the tank.) I'd run premium, just to get the extra alcohol to dilute any water if thats the problem.
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Marshall 357
Member
Well I dont smell diesel, LOL! I guess its time for a road trip to Cabel's.
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Marshall 357
Member
The Marathon Station on m-53 and m-21 in Imlay City
Stubborn Dutchman
Member
If it's a station you frequent, talk to the station manager. If he will acknowledge similar complaints from that same date/time contact your auto insurance carrier. This should be considered a comprehensive coverage claim. Years ago I handled a ton of them. Of course, the first thing I did was try to find out if other cliams surfaced.
Most common seemed to be filling up right after the tanker left. If their storage tank was allowed to run real low, all kinds of crud gets stirred up. I guess their pump filters are better than during my time but sometimes crap can still happen.
Most common seemed to be filling up right after the tanker left. If their storage tank was allowed to run real low, all kinds of crud gets stirred up. I guess their pump filters are better than during my time but sometimes crap can still happen.
m1gunner
US Veteran
To test for diesel contamination in gasoline:
Take a sheet of clean white paper. Put several drops of the suspect fuel in the middle. Allow the fuel to completely evaporate.
You should not have a ring form at the edge of the area of evaporation, the liquid should all leave the paper.
If you have a oily type disco;oration, you have oil/diesel contamination in your gasoline.
Take a sheet of clean white paper. Put several drops of the suspect fuel in the middle. Allow the fuel to completely evaporate.
You should not have a ring form at the edge of the area of evaporation, the liquid should all leave the paper.
If you have a oily type disco;oration, you have oil/diesel contamination in your gasoline.
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Marshall 357
Member
thanks
Capt Steve
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Never had a problem with the car/truck but the outboard motor for our dinghy didn't get much use. Whenever I got bad gas or it started to go bad from sitting in the tank so long I would give it to my landscaper buddy. Hhis mowers, blowers, trimmers etc., would run on just about anything and he was always glad to take it.
Spotteddog
Member
There's no way around it, regardless of what foreign material has found it's way into the tank, what's in the tank has to be removed. Water is the most typical contaminant. Since water is heavier than the gasoline, it sits near the bottom of the tank. And, since the pickup for the fuel pump is also near the tanks bottom, the first material being sucked into the system is what's at the bottom. If the water % is high enough to affect engine performance, it's high enough to cause damage to fuel system components. Water finds it's way into the fuel most often at the point of sale. Old or damaged tanks allowing ground water in. If you've had a problem and it is water, you won't be alone. You'll be one of many. Many years ago, gas tanks in cars used to come equipped with a drain plug at the lowest portion of the tank just for this reason. But no more, now you get the fun of either having in pumped down via the fuel filler tube and/or having the tank dropped to clean it out.
(tip) If the car has years on it and has an in tank electric fuel pump change it out while the tanks out.
Good Luck!
(tip) If the car has years on it and has an in tank electric fuel pump change it out while the tanks out.
Good Luck!
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Marshall 357
Member
More good news thats what I like to here !!! LOL!!! Know anything about a Vacuum Advance Distributor? See my post. Thanks.
Capt Steve
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A little thread drift here..what's new? Spottedog brought up an interesting point. I am told that most fuel pumps (electric), reside in the fuel tank itself. Allegedly running your tank down to empty, or very nearly empty can lead to the fuel pump overheating, thus shortening its life dramatically. It seems that the pumps are cooled by the surrounding fuel. Anybody else heard this?
