Clorox and Motor oil in fuel

[CharlieB]

Re: Clorox and Motor oil in fuel

Gas and oil are both petroleum products, mix quite well.

The Dealership is trying to scare you into providing them with a nice fat paycheck. Don't fall for the scare tactics.

Oil additive to fuels are a good thing until the concentration of oil becomes so great that it displaces enough gas that the burn leans out and the combustion temps rise to unacceptable levels.

Even on a 4 stroke motor, a 50:1 fuel mix will not harm the motor. Topping off the fuel tank will further dilute the mix.

Your biggest problem is the bleach. As previously posted, siphon off the majority of the bleach from the bottom of the tank. Also install a water separating filter in the line to the motor. Any remaining water/bleach will be stopped in the filter.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Clorox and Motor oil in fuel

Gas and oil are both petroleum products, mix quite well.

The Dealership is trying to scare you into providing them with a nice fat paycheck. Don't fall for the scare tactics.

Oil additive to fuels are a good thing until the concentration of oil becomes so great that it displaces enough gas that the burn leans out and the combustion temps rise to unacceptable levels.

Ayuh,....
As noted,.. The motor oil is Not an Issue,... It's the Bleach....
It sounds like the Marina wants not only your Money,.. they'll take,+ use your Gas as well...

 

[member33]

Re: Clorox and Motor oil in fuel

I've talked to them again, and they again told me dont start the motor, dont prime the bulb. They said they can fix it if I bring the boat in so they can take the tank out and clean it all up. Its still under warranty so I dont think theyre trying to get money out of me, actually they even advised me that if I did start it and run it and the materials fouled the motors and parts up that I would lose my warranty because of the materials put in there. So, they dont sound like theyre trying to get any money.
I've called around several other places to get opinons, and they all say the same thing that sd50 30wt motor oil will mess up a mercury 60hp 4 stroke engine, as that engine in my boat has oil already in it. They also all give me the same type answer on the clorox, that it will ruin my lines and foul out things.
As I said my boat dealership seems to be trying to prevent me from starting it, because like I said, they told me if I run it with the materials in there it will not be covered by warranty and I'd lose my warranty and have to pay for all expenses. And it could get expensive.
I'm still confused about how car oil in a boats gas tank cant possibly be dangerous? Everything I'm reading and hearing is yes it is and will foul up the motor and components. I think I had maybe less that half a tank of gas in it when we parked it.
For instance if you poured motor oil in your vehicles gas tank would that not foul up your fuel system? If you poured car oil in your lawnmower gas tank and ran it would it not foul up your ride?

 

[QC]

Re: Clorox and Motor oil in fuel

All have said get the clorox out. All also agree that some oil in your gas is not going to ruin it. That, of course, depends on the ratio . . . If you put a teaspoon of olive oil into 50 gallons I am sure you would understand that it would not do anything. Soooo what is OK? If you have not primed, turned on the key or started this thing AT ALL, there is no way that any of this stuff is in anything but your tank. If you are so concerned suck everything out, fill it half way, and suck that out too, then fill it and go boating . . . Unless the tank is already destroyed by the clorox (which I doubt) then you are ready to go.

By all means, if you want to spend the money to let the dealer over do this, then go ahead . . .

 

[member33]

Re: Clorox and Motor oil in fuel

The people from Mercury boats told me:
Dont start it. The longer is sits in there the worse it will get.

Car oil in the gas. He did agree that started it would smoke alot and maybe possibly burn some off. He agrees its not the worst in the world, but not the best for a 4stroke. He said if some of the oil gets thru it would most likely not compress and would foul things out. He also said it could possibly "coat" things that would require repair. He said starting it up and going out on the water would leave us with a smoking motor that will not start,... stranded, and most likely some expensive repairs. He explained that you dont lose your warranty but some claims arent covered by the warranty this probably being one of them, and we'd end up paying quite a bit of money to repair all the possible things that could be damaged. He said anything from the fuel injectors to rings could be damaged if the gas goes through the motor.

The clorox, is not good he said. It will damage all the tubings, inner seals,
and if enough gets into the motor will lock it down tight.

He agrees with some of you guys suggestions and comments. But he does say that having this mixture in the gas is not a good thing. He said theres no way to know what kind of damage for certain but if it goes through the motor we're definitely looking at a disabled boat, and the repairs depending on what gets messed up theres no way to calculate unless it goes through there. He also said he recommends taking the boat in and having the gas, lines everything checked. His strongest words were dont start it at all, dont prime it. And longer it sits the worse it will get.
So, I think we're looking at some costly repairs.

He stressed that clorox is a bad thing. That he knew someone who had clorox in his vehicle gas tank and ended up spending over 200.00 for a new fuel pump and having to remove his whole tank and it was costly to repair.

 

[gss036]

Re: Clorox and Motor oil in fuel

After reading all this, I don't remember seeing anything about how big (size gallon wise) the tank is and where it is located. I agree, drain or siphon out the gas. Is the tank really that hard to remove? Can you get at the tank and get into the tank through a fuel sender hole, etc. Run one wheel of the trailer on a 6 inch block, rasie the bow of the boat and siphon the stuff out. If you have enough hose, take the end off that hooks onto the motor and pump the primer bulb, it will cause the stuff to flow. If you use a siphon hose, get to the lowest point on the tank. Dilute if need be after you have all you can get out and there is still some fluid left and repeat the process. This isn't rocket science, just requires a little time and efffort.

 

[member33]

Re: Clorox and Motor oil in fuel

Welll great. We confronted the youngsers today and they said they did prime the bulb. Wonderful.

 

[gss036]

Re: Clorox and Motor oil in fuel

Did they tell you how much bleach they put in the tank?

 

[JeffsAV]

Re: Clorox and Motor oil in fuel

My main question is, if the warranty is in place, why are we still discussing this topic? Why have you not yet taken it to the dealership to get it taken care of?

 

[QC]

Re: Clorox and Motor oil in fuel

Because not everybody believes that simply because it is in the warranty period that you can't solve some things that are not warrantable failuires yourself . . . I wouldn't go near the dealer with this, in fact I would have never called them. Why give them ammo if they might some day use it? Not me and I am an OEM guy from way back . . .

Even if it was primed. I'd get everything out of the tank. I'd fill it with fresh fuel. I would pull the line off of the engine and prime all of the crap out of it until it was flowing fresh fuel. Then I would put the line back on and I would go boating.

Now, this is only what I would do. If those kids are going to pay for it, then maybe I'd feel differently, but frankly I don't think I'd even take it to the dealer then. I'd make them pump it out. Make them pay to get rid of it. Make them pay for a new tank of fuel and be done with it. Maybe a new primer bulb and fuel line too . . .

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Clorox and Motor oil in fuel

Bleach use to come in glass bottles, now the jugs are plastic. If you have a plastic tank, no harm is done. If it is aluminum it will corrode the tank. Either way, clean the tank. The fact that the deliquents pumped the primer bulb should be of no conquence. Not that much fuel is moved and if the pickup tube managed to pick up some of the bleach, laying at the bottom of the tank, it would be caught in the fuel filter/ water seperator bowl.
As far as the oil in the gas. The MECHANICS that you are in touch with are absoultely right. You can only expect catastropic engine failure if that oil hits the cylinders. Our friends here at iboats are trying to sucker you in when they say that the oil will not be a problem. Would be a good service to the CALF. members if you could hint as to where there MECHS. are so the rest of us can avoid these aces.
No one is picking on your wife or family and suggesting that you have problems. Its a guy thing! You will hear these types of comments as you go thru life. You sure you did not do something to these boys to get them angry at you? Just wondering. regards FRED

 

[beerfilter]

Re: Clorox and Motor oil in fuel

Because not everybody believes that simply because it is in the warranty period that you can't solve some things that are not warrantable failuires yourself . . . I wouldn't go near the dealer with this, in fact I would have never called them. Why give them ammo if they might some day use it? Not me and I am an OEM guy from way back . . .

Even if it was primed. I'd get everything out of the tank. I'd fill it with fresh fuel. I would pull the line off of the engine and prime all of the crap out of it until it was flowing fresh fuel. Then I would put the line back on and I would go boating.

Now, this is only what I would do. If those kids are going to pay for it, then maybe I'd feel differently, but frankly I don't think I'd even take it to the dealer then. I'd make them pump it out. Make them pay to get rid of it. Make them pay for a new tank of fuel and be done with it. Maybe a new primer bulb and fuel line too . . .

What he said ...
Past experience says your dealership charges you out the wazoo , and , voids your warranty on at least the powerhead , possibly the entire rig .

Get your money for the gas and new fuel line from the parents .

Now , to make sure they have no future hard feelings , take the little sonofa... KID , thats what I meant , out fishing .
Tell the KID you are going wake boarding .
Dress him in a seal suit .

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Clorox and Motor oil in fuel

Wow, talk about flogging a dead horse. Everyone agrees that bleach is bad. Does it really matter whether the oil in the gas will harm the motor or not? You have to drain and clean the tank regardless. How many opinions will it take before you choose one that is "right"?

Take the boat back to the dealer. Its under warranty so have the problem dealt with and get that boat back on the water.

If you choose to do it yourself don't waste any more time debating whether the oil is good or bad for the motor. Drain the tank, replace all fuel lines up to the carb (bleach will have started to deteriorate the rubber/plastics), drain any fuel in the bowl(s) then flush the whole system with fresh gas.

When done, fill the tank completely to further reduce the concentrations of any residues that may be left behind.

Good luck with the kids. Best get a locking cap or a big dog

 

[Plainsman]

Re: Clorox and Motor oil in fuel

As has been said, drain the tank and lines, Start with fresh fuel and get on the water.

 

[achris]

Re: Clorox and Motor oil in fuel

As a former Mercury Marine dealership owner I can tell you that the problem you have is NOT covered by ANY warranty. It was cause by a malicious act and as such no dealer or manufacturer will pick up the tab on that.

Fred, I understand you are an aircraft mechanic. Aircraft engines and boat engine are very different animals. As a marine mechanic of more than 20 years I can also tell you that a little engine oil in the fuel will NOT harm a boat engine in any way. I think you will find that most of the 'friends suckering' are all marine mechanics of many, many years. Most of these 'aces' have been mechanics for many years and run successful businesses during that time.

Chris.............

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Clorox and Motor oil in fuel

ACHRIS, guess I came across wrong. Everyone here at our family told him not to worry about the oil in the gas. Got the impression that no matter what people suggested, he was determined to expect the doom and gloom that the MERCURY MECHANIC he was in touch with predicted. Those were the ACES that I suggested everyone avoid. An attempt at reverse psychology backfired. Gotta clean up my act. FRED

 

[QC]

Re: Clorox and Motor oil in fuel

You can only expect catastropic engine failure if that oil hits the cylinders.

You had me too Fred . . . Now I get it

 

[joewildlife]

Re: Clorox and Motor oil in fuel

I suspect this thread should have been closed long ago with the conclusion that the bleach is BAD and the oil is not a problem.

that said, I burn "aging" gas/oil blends in my lawnmowers and truck all the time. I have 32:1 to 50:1 gal oil blends for weedeaters, blowers, chainsaws, and boat motors. Every fall, I burn up all the gas/oil blends in my lawnmowers and/or vehicles. Doesn't hurt a thing and I have never even seen smoke.

The problem is the bleach, not the oil. Again.

Joe

 

[HVSTRINE]

Re: Clorox and Motor oil in fuel

If everything is covered by warranty, then you should certainly let the dealership take care of it. If not covered, and you are not comfortable draining and cleaning the tank yourself, then you should certainly let the dealership take care of it. If you just can't bring yourself to trust the opinions on this forum, then you should certainly let the dealership take care of it. If your thinking, "Man this is getting redundant", then you should certainly let the dealership take care of it.

 

[achris]

Re: Clorox and Motor oil in fuel

You had me too Fred . . . Now I get it

And me... Sorry if I came across a bit serious...

Hey, member33, what are you going to do? You have lots of advice, what plan of action have you formulated?

Chris.........