Ran out of diesel fuel - now what?
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 62
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GL 320CDI
Ran out of diesel fuel - now what?
OK, beat me with a stick for being so stupid 
.
I have 8,800 miles on my 2008 GL 320. Tonight the little lady, the dog and I were headed to the farm, about 40 miles away when the fuel light came on, but needle was just above empty. We have an ULSD tank at the farm, and get fuel cheap in bulk, so decided to try it. Mistake. Five miles out we ran out. However, being on the Eastern Shore of VA, on a perfectly flat Rt. 13, and about 1/3 mile ahead is the local Exxon w/diesel, I was able to push the GL by hand, VERY slowly into the station, at which point a couple of good Samaratans helped push the last few yards to the pump. Bought them a beer
A nearby trucker said - do you know how to prime that thing? I said - I am SURE it self-primes. It couged and wheezed for about 15 seconds (no hands on the Start button after the first push), then fired up, ran well.
BUT my Check Engine light is now on.
It is a 160 mile trip back to town (Annapolis) on Sunday.
A couple observations and a question.
1) It is possible for a 51-year old 240 lb couch potato 3 weeks post-hernia repair to push a fully loaded GL 320 (boat gear, groceries, power washer, dog, etc.) on the flat.
2) No priming the diesel fuel required.
3) It took 27.1 gallons, topped off. Don't expect an added reserve, and don't plan to go more than 35 miles after the fuel light comes on. The needle never pinged bottom.
4) What the heck do I do about the Check engine light, and is it OK to drive 160 miles this way? Did not seem to do any damage, besides the fingerprints on the tailgate.
. I have 8,800 miles on my 2008 GL 320. Tonight the little lady, the dog and I were headed to the farm, about 40 miles away when the fuel light came on, but needle was just above empty. We have an ULSD tank at the farm, and get fuel cheap in bulk, so decided to try it. Mistake. Five miles out we ran out. However, being on the Eastern Shore of VA, on a perfectly flat Rt. 13, and about 1/3 mile ahead is the local Exxon w/diesel, I was able to push the GL by hand, VERY slowly into the station, at which point a couple of good Samaratans helped push the last few yards to the pump. Bought them a beer
A nearby trucker said - do you know how to prime that thing? I said - I am SURE it self-primes. It couged and wheezed for about 15 seconds (no hands on the Start button after the first push), then fired up, ran well.
BUT my Check Engine light is now on.
It is a 160 mile trip back to town (Annapolis) on Sunday.
A couple observations and a question.
1) It is possible for a 51-year old 240 lb couch potato 3 weeks post-hernia repair to push a fully loaded GL 320 (boat gear, groceries, power washer, dog, etc.) on the flat.
2) No priming the diesel fuel required.
3) It took 27.1 gallons, topped off. Don't expect an added reserve, and don't plan to go more than 35 miles after the fuel light comes on. The needle never pinged bottom.
4) What the heck do I do about the Check engine light, and is it OK to drive 160 miles this way? Did not seem to do any damage, besides the fingerprints on the tailgate.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
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From: DFW
2022 E350 Diamond White Metallic, 2016 GLC300 Dakota Brown Metallic
You probably need to call roadside assistance and have them come and pick up your poor beast to be on the safe side. You are probably not the first person this has happened to.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Spicewood, TX
2008 GL 320, 2007 Silverado LTZ C3500 Duramax Turbo Diesel
Having driven diesels for the last 25 years and managing many 100's of 1000's of dollars woth of diesel equipment, I would say;
1) Diesels get very pissed off when they suck air. If this was an older vehicle or piece of equipment, you probably would have burned a starter or for sure ran down your batteries before it started, unless you had the knowledge and tools to bleed the injectors. It was always considered taboo to let your equipment run dry and could cost you your job.
2) These new diesels do self prime and probably there will be no consequences. If it is running smoothly it probably just needs to have the warning re-set.
1) Diesels get very pissed off when they suck air. If this was an older vehicle or piece of equipment, you probably would have burned a starter or for sure ran down your batteries before it started, unless you had the knowledge and tools to bleed the injectors. It was always considered taboo to let your equipment run dry and could cost you your job.
2) These new diesels do self prime and probably there will be no consequences. If it is running smoothly it probably just needs to have the warning re-set.
Thread Starter
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GL 320CDI
Thanks Scotty. Nearest dealer is at home in Annapolis (160 miles away), so I guess we'll chance the drive. Seems to be running fine. It wouldn't shut down on us after a certain distance or time w/check engine light on?
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2007
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GL 320 CDI, BMW 325i
Don't wary! I can shut down, and start again , and the "Check Engine" light will go off. Just bay from the dealership "injector cleaner", put all in the tank, and fill it up.
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From: Columbus, OH
2008 GL 320 CDI
Sorry about your experience, but thanks for the info - this is very helpful to know. I've often wondered how far I could push it once that yellow light comes on, and whether to trust the computer's estimate of distance to empty. The most I've ever put in the tank is about 25.4 gallons
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
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GL 320CDI
After starting and driving the GL four times, the check engine light went away on its own. I did call tele-aid, and they said it was OK to drive with the check engine light on as long as it was running OK.
Thanks for all the advice!
Thanks for all the advice!
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
STP
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 62
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GL 320CDI
I spoke to the MB folks at Tele-Aid and they said this is the standard routine for running out of diesel fuel - add fuel, if it runs OK, drive it. The check engine light will automatically stay on for 3-4 restarts, but then go out. I asked whether I should bring it in (I had started it only twice and the light was still on), they said "No it will go out in one or two more starts and then be fine." That's what happened, so I think I am OK. I will mention it when it goes in for Service A in two week. Thanks.
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GLK250 Bluetec
We today in our infinite wisdom, ran our GLK 250 out of diesel. typically we get at least 1000km on a tank of fuel, with about 15L still in the tank. this tank we only had 850 kms on the tank. same driving conditions. vehicle has 98,000 kms /5 ¬5 k miles on it. We've bought the vehicle used, and aside from a quick oil change that i did, i've got an air filter and fuel filter on order from amazon (Mann) . Thinking the air filter may be getting plugged. planning on changing all fluids at 100 km mark, including transmission.
Added fuel and cranked for three cycles then it fired up. engine light on, but went off after 5-6 starts.
Cheers, great site.
Dan
Added fuel and cranked for three cycles then it fired up. engine light on, but went off after 5-6 starts.
Cheers, great site.
Dan
