[Ian Gourlay]

Was feeling tired after a long week and taking Jenny to Tescos.

Put petrol in a diesel car.

As it is Jennys xar Im not too popular.  She needs it tommorow to go to a Singing Workshop.

Its an escort turbo diesel.

Is there an easy way to drain the tank siphon etc.

If I then put say  litres of diesel in will the car start and burn out remaining traces of petrol.

Or do I have to wait to monday and pay garage.


Diffrent from Carpet Cleaning but i know how clever you all are.

[Fintan_Coll]

I think it would be safe enough to top up with diesel if you could get most of the petrol out.

[easi-kleen]

Friend topped his up and was fine.

But I was told if I tried that with my rover it could cost £6000 to put right

so be careful

[Big_Fish]

Hello Ian,

It depends on the age of the car. Older diesels don't mind a drop of petrol mixed in of you can drain out the majority and then fill it up so that it is as dilute as possible.

Newer diesel engines (in the last 4 years or so) are not so forgiving. The best thing to do is have it done by a garage as the fuel filters and possibly the fuel pump will need to be changed so that no long term damage occurs.

It sounds like you have started up the car and run it so the garage option is probably the best. Some newer cars even have a sensor before the fuel hits the engine and will cut out if the wrong type is detected.

Petrol is more refined than diesel and will cause damage to a diesel engine. It can strip the engine of lubricant and cause it to seize.

Whoever told you of the potential large bill was right unfortunately. However getting the petrol drained out before you put too much fuel through will be less expensive. It is a time consuming job as fuel lines, filters etc have to be cleaned or replaced. Petrol tanks are usually accessible from bolts under the flooring of the car which takes time to get at.

One tip I would give you is that if the car is still under warranty, don't get the work done at any branch of the dealership. Putting the wrong fuel in will void the warranty on certain things and give the dealer enough cause to point the finger if anything else goes wrong with the car!

The £6000 bill is probably a dealership price and you should be able to get it done cheaper.

It is an expensive mistake to make, but one you won't do again!

I'm completely understanding how you feel 

Let me know how you do with it, I speak from experience (and yes, I was daft enough to get towed back to the dealer!).

My experience caused me to investigate this type of accident and I was staggered to find out the in Watford (where it happened), more than 50 people a week do exactly the same thing.
If the nozzels on different fuels were different shapes, eg petrol=triangle, diesel=square etc and an adaptor was available on each pump to fit into the car, the thought process about shape would stop this mistake.It is however impossible to put diesel in a petrol tank because the nozzle is too big to fit in the car (apparently). I suppose the fuel companies are unwilling because for one reason, this mistaake means that they can sell twice as much fuel. Not only do you have the repair bill and the cost of throwing away the offending fuel, but then having to buy a new tankful.

Regards
BF Nicky

[Derek]

OK

You now have my permission to laugh at the 'old man'... Yep, I did exactly that a couple of years ago.

My mind was on the other things (not the blonde on the next pump Len  ) and I let got a full tank of unleaded petrol  instead of diesel

As soon a s I realised what I had done I asked the garage for assistance... NO way.. anyway they hadn't the facilities for disposal.. but could I get the vehicle off the forecourt... like NOW!

I dogedly refused to start the engine and enlisted some help to 'push' the van to one side. In other words if they wanted it moved they had better help me...it worked.

Fortunately I had changed to Green Flag a few months before and a call to them had a vehicle on the spot within twenty minutes... I was towed to their garage and in three quarters of an hour later I was back filling up.  Cost £59.00 plus a full tank of unleaded petrol.

The reason I said 'fortunately' earlier in the post was because I had changed to Green Flag a few months earlier from the AA after they had refused to turn out when I called them.. I had turned my vehicle over into a ditch on an icy country road at the time. It was the Police who advised me to change as apparently the AA experience was not unusual...my thanks to the Police who were extremely helpful on that occassion

The RAC presenter didn't turn up at Carpex, no telephone call either......so much for the main recovery contenders

Derek

[easi-kleen]

Fortunately the £6000 was warning to me .. It didn't actually happen..

but yes it was a dealership price.

phil

[Ken Wainwright]

A very dear friend here in not so sunny Alvechurch is an RAC Patrolman. This is a common occurence. The policy is to tow the vehicle to a local approved garage who then charge about £150 for the service.

In a previous life, I was responsible for a small fleet of lorries. If we were having a particulary severe winter, the de-waxing ingredient used in derv wasn't sufficiently effective, so we would add 1 gallon of petrol to a tank of derv. Obviously, things have improved in the last 30 years and, in light of Nicky's experiences above, should not be considered good practice with modern diesel engines.

Safe and happy motoring
Ken

[Ian Gourlay]

Nicky,

I agree with you about the nozles at the fuel pumps and I am starting a national campain today.

A few years ago when I put diesel in an old mini a friend of mine in the motor trade said on modern cars this would be imposible as a diesel nozle would not fit a petrol car, and I thought the reverse would aply.

I have decided to wait to Monday and have Green Flag take me to the Garage

hopefully I will pursade them to just drain the tank and clear fuel lines.

Thanks to you all.

[Len Gribble]

I have done it escort diesel filled up with petrol called RAC they contacted a local Co cost £100 care when doing it in Essex rip off, I was looking at blond farther Christmas at the time, tesco Lakeside. I can see it now it wasn’t me (Derek it was John)

A friend just bought a Jag X series diesel filled it with petrol did not start if they renewed the tank plus all the fuel pip work and others things, too embarrassed to say what it cost him.

Len

[Ian Gourlay]

Len thats what I am afraid off. Although I like my garage man he likes everything right.

Thats what he says, I wonder how he got one of the best houses in the area.

I will see if he lets me direct operations.

[Dynafoam]

Len,

Was that when you picked up the rotary?

[Len Gribble]

John

Sadly no would have liked to see you in (not) but we met a B&Q Cant wait till Christmas Eve at the same service station

Ian

After noting your error what did you do?

Regarding ops one needs to know above

What he has got possibly and that’s a big one may be envious but never have time for jealously.

Len

[Ian Gourlay]

Final repair bill; £95  including vat but this did include an oil  and filter change, that I asked for.

I think the diesel removal part was about £70 including vat

[Big_Fish]

Hi Ian,

Well done for getting the job done at such a reasonable price. I take it you didn't go to the dealer!

Are you forgiven yet?

BF Nicky

[paulchambers]

I have done this twice once in my car which cost £120 plus fuel the other time was a Post Office Van had only put about 10 litres in when i realised .

 The fuel pump was in our local Post Office garage so not far to push the thing into the workshop the garage manager said just fill it up with diesel it will be fine, which i did. On leaving the workshop the engine started to rev very fast and i couldnt stop it even with the key out  as i walked back to the workshop it went BANG i laughed and went home .   Paul

[Ian Gourlay]

Nicky,

Yes I am forgiven.  I paid for it.

I am asking an extra £10 on all cleans  Idiot surcharge.

Regards

Ian