Drain Ram 2500 Diesel Fuel Tank

I made a really dumb mistake today and pumped 93 octane gasoline into my 2016 Ram 2500 Cummins. Keeping in mind that I am not a mechanic (do this at your own risk) here is how I drained the fuel out of my tank. The only tool you will need is a jumper wire that is about 12 inches long and a transfer tank or buckets to catch the fuel. Yes I know, this was dumb but hopefully my video helps someone.

[@jasonwilson6393]

Thank you for creating this video! Worked like a charm! Saved a lot of time and headache. I filled the whole tank, (30 gallons) with gasoline before realizing it wasn't diesel! Had to drain it in the Gas Station parking lot. This is what I did after watching this very informative video from Jason.... Had someone take me to a local auto parts store, where I had to purchase (See bleow for Parts and Supplies): 6 = (5 gallon gas cans)(or something that will hold at least the estimated amount of combined fuel in the fuel tank). Some soft hose to connect from fuel filter drain down under the vehicle and out to the gas cans or containers. (Make sure you have a good idea of the outside diameter of fuel filter drain hose. Locate the FUEL PUMP Fuse location inside the Fuse Panel Lid or refer to the vehicle manual, pull that fuse. I then purchase a minimum of two Alligator Clip Test Leads, and connect one Alligator Clip to a standard paper clip opened up so you can insert one end into one of the fuse reciever holes, you will have see which hole is the positive side by alternating between the two until you hear the fuel pump running. Then attach the other end of Aligator Clip test lead to the inline fuse holder that I purchased, then take the other Alligator Clip Test Lead and connect to the other side of inline fuse holder with fuse, and the other to the positive side of battery. Now the fuel pump is pulling fuel from the tank into the fuel filter and running out the filter drain into the gas cans or containers. (Make sure to open the fuel filter drain before turning the pump on.) NOTE: Once you connect to the battery the pump will start running, disconnect from battery and the pump will stop. After draining, do not start vehicle, change the fuel filters becuse they will have gas in them. Parts and Supplies Needed: - Fuel Containers, (Gas Cans, 5 gal Buckets, Barrel, etc) - Rags or Paper towels - Optional: Depending on where you are draining the tank, you may need Oil Dri Oil Absorbent or use cardboard or plywood under the drain and under the containers. - Hose that will fit over Fuel Filter Drain - Paper Clip - (unfold paper clip and insert one end into FUEL PUMP Fuse holder) - Alligator Clip Test Leads - Usually comes in a pack with multiple colors - Inline Fuse Holder and Fuse - connect between paper clip and positive side of battery. - New Fuel Filter or Filters depending on the year and model. - Fuel Filter Cap (socket or wrench) to remove cap and put back on. See your user Manual for socket or wrench size. - Container for Diesel Fuel to put back in after draining tank and replacing fuel filters. - Optional Addatives to help lubricate the seals if gasoline has run through the engine already an it started to rough idle or shut off. Hope this information helps!

[@tomdrake3017]

Thank you, thank you thank you! I accidentally put 2 1/2 gallons of DEF into tank, two days before I am scheduled to tow my fifth wheel from GA to Texas. I could not get a siphon hose deep enough into the tank to siphon the fuel out. I lowered one end of the tank but still couldn’t disconnect the filler hose so I could siphon from there. I saw you video and tried it. It worked like a champ. I was able to easily pump out all of the fuel. I replaced both fuel filter, added Heet to help make sure all of the system was cleared of water and a little Mystery Oil for additional lubrication. Everything seems to be working fine. Your idea saved my bacon!

[@jtbrower]

Awesome! Glad it worked out and that feedback makes my own mistake worth it.

[@jasonlockett465]

Really appreciate this video. Made the same mistake. One note, I almost gave up on this solution and stared to disconnect the tank so I could run my siphon. I switched the jumper from the battery to slot 70 to a 14 gauge single strain wire from a coil of Romex (I'm a home builder, not a mechanic). The 14 gauge provided enough juice to run the fuel pump. The two testers / probes I had tried initially didn't provide enough current. After draining the tank, I filled with 2 gallons of fresh diesel. Truck started right up, and stayed running for about a 1/2 mile to the nearest gas station. I topped of the tank, went to start it and no dice. I went thru the priming instructions (turn to Run for 15 seconds, back to off, back to Run) but still no luck. Not sure if I clogged the filters or if the fuel pump went out. Towed to my house and decided I will troubleshoot when the sun is up. One other note... if your new to the key fob stuff, pressing the start button on the truck (without foot on the brake) will cycle thru from Off, to ACC, to Run. Silly that I never knew this. Never took the time to learn as I hate the whole fob concept. Constantly loosing the thing, while I'm in the truck driving! Yes... I'm turning into my father! Don't like change! Another note... I would suggest against attempting to siphon the fuel from the tank. Again, not a mechanic. But if you were born before 1980 and your a custom to the old school siphon technique, your in for a long day. Evidently, there are inline safety features (valves?) that are designed to seal the tank during a roll over. Good luck getting your hose by those.

[@jtbrower]

Hello, I am sorry for the delayed reply, its actually late now and I was on KZbin searching for information on how to do something unrelated and saw the notification from your message and another. I am curious what happened to yours such that it would not start. You mentioned possibly burning up the fuel pump and hopefully that was not the issue. The fact that you drove it to the gas station makes me have a gut feeling your fuel pump was fine. Maybe you had air in your lines? I believe it can be a pain in the tail if you run it out of fuel. Anyway, thanks for saying hello and letting me know it helped. The day I did this, I was already running late for the motocross track so recording and sharing the video was more time consuming but I had a feeling I was not the only person waking up on the wrong side of the bed putting gasoline in my diesel. By the way, the truck is still running great after all of this time and has never broken down on me, knock on wood. Though I'm sure a mechanic wouldn't appreciate my method, it was much cheaper than what they would charge (unless I blew the engine, LOL).

[@kirstynbonar4109]

Appreciate this video x 1000000000! Worked for us so far

[@jtbrower]

You are very welcome. Don’t feel alone, this video turned out to take over as my number one of all time. Crazy how that works. We are in good company.

[@alxtem]

Bless you for sharing this!

[@jtbrower]

Alex, you are quite welcome. I’m glad it’s useful to someone and hope that if you did the same thing as me, this will get you back and going again. After I drained it, I filled my truck to the max with actual diesel and still own this truck today and have never had a problem with it, runs great.

[@candidosolano5141]

Thank you it help me

[@captaintimdeen9009]

Im not a mechanic but i was told if you put a little amount of gas in your diesel tank it would not harm it it would clean the injectors for you. That's what to use if you can't get it to start use gas not starting fluid.

[@jtbrower]

Captain Tim Deen I have been told that what you are saying is true for older diesels as well as farm tractors, however there is something in the design of the newer diesel trucks and cars that doesn’t tolerate cross fuel contamination like this. Not wanting to press my luck I pumped it dry. I ended up giving the fuel I pumped out to a local farmer who did run it in his farm tractor. He agreed that you can’t run it in newer autos but it doesn’t mean that you won’t get lucky trying I suppose.

[@dwightkuhn3642]

For the hose did u pull the old one off the fuel filter and install the new hose on did u use a hose clamp? How long did it take to pump tank dry as well? Thanks in advance been a shitty day as well

[@jtbrower]

Dwight Kuhn hey sorry about your day, glad to hear I’m not the only one doing this. I actually didn’t have to remove any hoses. I simply used the yellow turn knob that is provided by manufacturer specifically to drain the filter before you change it. If I remember correctly (I have tried to forget that day, lol) I plugged the drain hose from that filter housing into the hose for my portable fuel cart. Then once hooked up that way just did the Hotwire to keep the fuel pump running. So no clamps were actually removed.

[@dwightkuhn3642]

Thanks again i was able to pump out my tank and not have to go to dealership

[@ryanbustos9443]

Richard Carlson how’s the truck doing ? Thanks for the content

[@jtbrower]

Runs great, no problems whatsoever. Looking back on this day I am glad that I decided to pump all the fuel off and not risk any other outcome. It sure was a brain-dead air-headed moment on my part, but it all worked out.

[@richardcarlson4327]

What did you do after that to clean the fuel tank?

[@oceansidesoftware]

Hi Richard, the short answer is nothing. Although I know the ideal solution would have been to tow the vehicle to a shop, have them drop the tank to drain and then flush the entire system, I took a 'calculated' risk in handling it myself. Once I pumped the tank dry, I filled it full of diesel and carried on with my journey that day to the MX track. When I first made the mistake, I had pumped about 2.5 gallon of gas mixed with about 32 gallon diesel. After draining the tank and refilling it I figured that the remaining mixture was diluted much more than what was required to harm the truck. That said, I fully admit that I am not qualified to make that judgement call but so far I have had no issues with the RAM. Knock on wood!

[@RayJames552]

Looks to me like you have a fuse inline on that clamp that is clamped on the battery.

[@jtbrower]

I think you might be seeing the bulky hodgepodge of a connector I used to join leads together. If I remember correctly, there wasn’t an inline fuse as I should have had. However, you might be seeing something else. Have a good day:

[@davidhaltenhof3834]

Jason Brower ok

[@markkulyas2418]

You did not show if you need the ignition switch on.

[@user-nf4bn3dg9j]

You dont no.the #70 fuse to power runs the pump.

[@user-nf4bn3dg9j]

How long did it take to empty all fuel ?

[@jtbrower]

Sorry for the delay, it didn’t take that long. Fortunately I needed fuel badly when this happened and I don’t believe I pumped too much (it’s been about 5 years or more).

[@ACAMPS.HITHOUSE]

What’s the accessory and how do u turn it on

[@jtbrower]

Accessory is the position where your key is turned but does not engage the starter and the vehicle is not running. In a keyless vehicle you usually just hit the start button once and you will hear the dinger going off telling you the keys are in the ignition.

[@RaulFlores-mg3le]

Tanks I have same problems

[@Tony-tk4ht]

Will this actually empty out all of diesel?

[@jtbrower]

It doesn’t drain every last drop, but pumps it about as dry as you would see letting your truck run out of fuel. I figured any remaining gasoline in the tank (already diluted in my diesel) would be further diluted by the additional 30+ gallons I added and remove my concern of damaging my engine. It worked out and I’ve never had any issues with this truck.

[@Tony-tk4ht]

@@jtbrower i poured diesel from a pump and it contained a lot of water. Truck was not happy, and ended up being in limp mode. I plan on doing this without dropping the tank and hopefully it will drain most of the water out.

[@Trokero956]

I got water in mine, engine sputtered.