Red Gas...

[Mark_88]

OK...the truck started and ran but would not stay running...found out that the plug wires were not seated properly...

But now it won't start...won't fire...and the only thing I can see wrong (tested spark and all that) is that the gas coming into the carb is RED...

Does anyone know what would cause the gas to turn red? It's not really red...just sorta red...and when I ran some through the pump it came out clear...but now it's red again...WTF!

 

[koda6966]

Someone messing with your tank?

 

[Jorley]

Off-road diesel fuel is dyed red. Siphon some gas from the tank to see if it is red. Somebody could be messing with you.

 

[koda6966]

Off-road diesel fuel is dyed red. Siphon some gas from the tank to see if it is red. Somebody could be messing with you.

He said he went back to the pump he used and checked, it was clear.
So more than likely someone put something in his tank.

 

[Jorley]

OK...the truck started and ran but would not stay running...found out that the plug wires were not seated properly...

But now it won't start...won't fire...and the only thing I can see wrong (tested spark and all that) is that the gas coming into the carb is RED...

Does anyone know what would cause the gas to turn red? It's not really red...just sorta red...and when I ran some through the pump it came out clear...but now it's red again...WTF!

He said he went back to the pump he used and checked, it was clear.
So more than likely someone put something in his tank.

I think he was talking about the engine fuel pump.

Mark_88, I just happened to be reading your gas prices in Canada thread and on 4/7/08 you mentioned the same problem. Are you getting your gas from the same station every time? The station could have bad gas. The tanker that filled the stations tanks could have put diesel in the wrong tank. Check with the station where you get your gas.

 

[koda6966]

I think he was talking about the engine fuel pump.

That would make more sense. Thought I missed something.

 

[Mark_88]

Thanks for the replies...I do get the gas from the same station...but the gas is clear when I put it in...only when it comes out of the fuel pump (electronic) is it red...maybe someone put something in my tank, but there are only two other people who get near my truck and I trust them both...it's kept in a garage...most of the time...

What would turn it red though? I used rubber hose on the fuel line and thought maybe it was reacting with the gas...but it is "fuel line" rubber hose so it shouldn't do that...

Now you've got me wondering...but I use the same gas in my DD and it runs fine...only difference is that my DD has a locking gas cap and the Ranger doesn't...but it was only outside for a day or two this year...rest of the time it was locked in the garage...

I'm stumped...maybe someone put something in the tank...got plenty of kids in the hood...

 

[koda6966]

Koolaid maybe?

 

[Mark_88]

Koolaid would be interesting...I did have some kids here a month ago that may have done something like that...but what puzzles me is that the truck started but would not run (the plug wires were baffed though so I'm not surprised)...

Just got finished double-checking the timing and making sure I had spark...won't start right now and not even firing...so the red gas tipped me off to maybe something out of place...but koolaide?

Will have to check some things in the morning...too tired to think right now...

 

[Jorley]

If you have fire at the plugs and the red gas is getting to the carb, and it won't run, there is something wrong with the gas. Try putting alittle good gas in the carb and see if it will fire up. I know it is a PITA, but I'd drain the tank, put good fuel in it, run the fuel pump till clear and go from there.

 

[koda6966]

If it was a bunch of kids... two words for what you should do...

Gun Violence.

((Only Kidding.))

 

[Mark_88]

If it was a bunch of kids... two words for what you should do...

Gun Violence.

((Only Kidding.))

LOL! Sorry, but I don't own a gun...although a few well placed kicks would be in order if it were kids...however...

Turns out the fuel pump had a broken wire and was not working properly...but it may have been a combination of other things like contaminated gas and the plug wires not sitting properly also...

Somehow the plug connectors were pulled way up into the boot and were not actually touching on two plugs...got them pulled down and the pump wire fixed and she started up and ran for about five minutes without any gas (idles fine)...now to put everything back in place and try to keep it running...

The gas is still reddish but I will pump some out to get it clear...

Thanks for all the replies...

 

[Jorley]

Glad you got it going. You might want to keep a eye on the plugs. Whatever turned the gas reddish may foul the plugs.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I think he was talking about the engine fuel pump.

Mark_88, I just happened to be reading your gas prices in Canada thread and on 4/7/08 you mentioned the same problem. Are you getting your gas from the same station every time? The station could have bad gas. The tanker that filled the stations tanks could have put diesel in the wrong tank. Check with the station where you get your gas.

Usually here in the states you can't get dyed diesel at a fuel station, it is delivered and I don't even know if Canada dyes their fuel. It is mainly a DOT thing, so if you get pulled over with red diesel in your diesel pickup you are in serious trouble.

If you had enough diesel in there to make the fuel red, your engine will be having problems.

 

[Mark_88]

Well, the gas went into the tank clear because I filled it from a Jerry can and would have noticed the off-colour...it was doing the same thing when I first started tinkering with it (the gas came out of the fuel pump red) but after a few seconds of pumping into a bucket it ran clear...so I figured maybe dirt or rust or something in the tank...

The fuel pump, btw, is in the engine compartment...it's carbed and the carbed tanks don't have pumps in them (at least mine didn't) so it's not hard to disconnect it and test the gas...but what surprised me was that it happened again after it ran clear for about ¼ tank...that's why I suspected the new hose maybe...

Anyway, it's running...but I haven't gotten it going since this morning due to other tasks like putting tranny fluid in and checking the alignment of the drive shaft...will try again later tonight...it's warm here today so opening the doors is possible...

Thanks again for the input...