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Petrol into old diesel jerry can?
Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 12:59 pm
by Matt
I'm sure it would be OK but I just wanted to check. I have a 20L metal jerry can that I have used for diesel in the past. It is now empty but will more than likely have diesel traces inside I guess. Can I now use it for petrol without any adverse effects to my Bullet? (The other way round would be better I guess because I could leave the lid off the can for a few days in the back room to allow all the petrol to vapourise.) Diesel is more of an oil though and might leave more residue??? I guess I'm worrying about nothing but any input would be great. Cheers guys.
Petrol into old diesel jerry can?
Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 1:09 pm
by Mark M
I wouldn't do it. I have a friend who traced a persistent misfire on his race bike to fuel from a Diesel contaminated can. It's difficult to prove but his theory is that silicon from the fuel (used as an anti-foaming agent in Diesel,) fouled the plug.
REgards, Mark
Petrol into old diesel jerry can?
Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 1:12 pm
by PeteF
As long as it's washed out I can't see a problem.
Petrol into old diesel jerry can?
Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 1:46 pm
by Matt
How would you wash it out Peter? With petrol? (In which case where do you dispose of it?) Water and detergent?
Petrol into old diesel jerry can?
Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 2:14 pm
by big al
Hi I have used about a ltr of clean petrol in your completely empty petrol can and replace the cap nice and tight. Then give the can a good swish around for a couple of Min's. and then empty the petrol into another receptacle and save for cleaning parts etc.
I have done this and it worked 100% all the best Big Al from Bournville Birmingham ( well some one has to live there)
Petrol into old diesel jerry can?
Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 2:51 pm
by Matt
Brilliant. Makes sense. (£1.40 to clean a container... Damn! HaHa.) Maybe I'll just get another and keep them exclusive. I have a diesel car and three petrol bikes (as well as a chainsaw and a lawnmower.) I like to have a reserve of both fuels in the garage just in case anyway.
Petrol into old diesel jerry can?
Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 3:21 pm
by Beezabryan
An unmolested carburetted Bullet on standard compression will run on diesel, not very well but it will run & ride....About the only way a misfire can be induced with a diesel/ petrol mix is by water contamination....Bear in mind I refer to a standard Bullet not one that has been modified or one of those new fangled things with some weird way of introducing a fuel/air charge to the combustion chamber
Petrol into old diesel jerry can?
Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 4:21 pm
by PeteF
I'd wash it out with a pint of petrol and use it in the lawnmower
Petrol into old diesel jerry can?
Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 4:23 pm
by PeteF
Beezabryan, are you sure? Sounds a bit unlikely. I'd believe parafine (once the engine was hot) but Deisel??
Petrol into old diesel jerry can?
Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 4:43 pm
by Beezabryan
Some years ago when I had a diesel car and was driving diesel engined commercial vehicles in a senior moment I started putting diesel into the near empty Flash tank.........7 litres before I woke up & realised what I had done... The Flash & a Box has 7.25:1 compression......It started and took me home OK only problem was the huge white smoke trail I left behind me
...After draining the tank & refilling there was absolutely no problem.