Diesel puddle

Richard · Dec 13, 2002

I always keep Brutus topped off with fuel. Other day noticed a broken tube, turns out it was the return hose from the injector rail back to the tank.

No problems thought I, I'll get one tomorrow.

Upshot.. over night, gallons (10 foot circle) of diesel dripped out of that tiny hole drop by drop and of course, Brutus was parked right next to garage, (where wifey usually parks).

Today, I have this area saturated with diesel, is it 5 gallons or 20 I do not know for sure as I've been too busy to refill that which as been lost (read: I do NOT want to know)

None the less, the area, garage and also house all smell of diesel, so I know I lost more than a pint /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif.

I'm looking for cleanup ideas, it's been raining and I think that will be good for helping it wash away, or soak into ground (lots of clay, so that is slow process). I have run hose for several hours to help flush driveway (which is gravel by the way) Of course, as the water flows (rain/hose) all drains next to sidewalk so there is NO escaping this mess.

I have thought of taking dishwashing liquid and simply squirting a bottle around hoping it might help break down the diesel faster.. or, put into pressure can and spray gravel...

As this is where wife parks her car, and I also walk through here to my car, you can't but help get on shoes and track into car, house other...the 2 pups feet smell.... sigh....

(yes guys..I'm in hot water /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif )

Any ideas on how to help disolve, move, soak the remaining diesel out of a gravel driveway?

Thanks
Richard

DUMBDOG · Dec 13, 2002

Kitty litter will pick up oil on a garage floor, might just work for the diesel on gravel.

Richard · Dec 13, 2002

Thought of that, but (in my view) wouldn't that be similar to trying to soak it up in the grass?

It's not a "puddle" per se, the ground is soaked, and the gravel is soaked.

(hmm.. could this be another use created for a backhoe??? just dig my driveway out?)

Bird · Dec 13, 2002

I don't really know, but I think your idea about the liquid detergent would be your best bet, especially if you have some kind of spray rig to get it more or less evenly distributed over the area instead of just squirting a stream on part of it.

RobertN · Dec 13, 2002

try simple green... at the fire station I used to work at, we used it to clean up after all kinds of ickynesses

Stonewall · Dec 13, 2002

This is a great oportunity to save the day with the tractor. As it is winter, it is cold and the sun is low at best it will take a LOOOOONG time for that fuel to evaporate and stop stinking up the place. Scrape off the gravel and put it someplace where it will not offend you or your environment - no erosion control! You might have to scrape off some dirt as well. The longer you wait the deeper it will go. Then get some fresh gravel and dress out the top for the Mrs' and you're done. My VFD training tells me that any spill under 50 gallons is not a haz-mat emergency and is considered a "small spill" and not subject to the most stringent regulations of the EPA. Mr. Haz Mat could set us straight for sure if his "Handle" on the forum reflects his vocation.

WVBill · Dec 13, 2002

Simple Green is a good idea. I slopped some diesel on my clothes when re-fueling my Kubota one time. Washed them in the washer with simple green instead of Tide and it took all of the diesel smell / residue away.

Try diluting it 50/50 in a garden sprayer and spraying your spilled area. Let stand for a while then rinse the gravel with clear water.

Richard · Dec 13, 2002

I'll have to try some of this simple green stuff...

Where does one get it? Kroger? Walmart (nooooooooo), Ace hardware? other?

Thanks

Von · Dec 13, 2002

Since you used water already my idea won't work, but I was going to say use a match! Just burn it off. Of course after you move the tractor and cars out of harms way!