Petrol In My Diesel

[vld]

Hi Guys

Can anyone help???

I bought a 2007 T spirit D4d about 6 months ago and its been a dream - I've really enjoyed having it.

Today it unexpectedly conked out on me - it just started rattling and then died! It was running low on diesel - but as the warning light had only just started flashing I thought I had plenty of time to refuel.

I spoke to my husband who told me that when he filled it up for me (over a week ago) he first of all put 4 litres of unleaded petrol in!!!realised his mistake and went in the garage for advise - they told him as he'd put so little in just to carry on and top it up with Diesel and it would be fine!

Engine light is on and the fuel filter light also came on when the car died. My husbands been back to car and put more diesel in and it started again but engine cut off after about 5 minutes (without driving it anywhere)

I'm absolutely gutted - has anyone got any advise please? Thanks

[Madasafish]

Garage job I am afraid.

System clean, new filters, probably new fuel pump..

No change from £1500 imo and maybe more...if I am correct..

[john905]

Hi Guys

Can anyone help???

I bought a 2007 T spirit D4d about 6 months ago and its been a dream - I've really enjoyed having it.

Today it unexpectedly conked out on me - it just started rattling and then died! It was running low on diesel - but as the warning light had only just started flashing I thought I had plenty of time to refuel.

I spoke to my husband who told me that when he filled it up for me (over a week ago) he first of all put 4 litres of unleaded petrol in!!!realised his mistake and went in the garage for advise - they told him as he'd put so little in just to carry on and top it up with Diesel and it would be fine!

Engine light is on and the fuel filter light also came on when the car died. My husbands been back to car and put more diesel in and it started again but engine cut off after about 5 minutes (without driving it anywhere)

I'm absolutely gutted - has anyone got any advise please? Thanks

my father in law done simular, he put £20 petrol in his zafira diesel from empty (he didnt even get out of tescos garage) i drained the tank put a new diesel filter on, job done it was a pain to start but been running fine since, i would get your local garage to drain the tank and put a new filter on and go from there

[mrpj]

I would tend to agree with Madasafish, the high pressure fuel pumps, with very tight clearances, on these modern Diesels don't take too kindly to the lack of lubrication properties of petrol.

System clean/flush will also include the need for the fuel tank to be drained, as John advises, as well. I sincerely hope it only needs the draining and cleaning of the fuel system but it does sound as though the really expensive damage has already been done. I feel for you.

[Yaristotle]

Sorry to hear about this but if it does turn out to be so expensive would it not be possible to claim on the insurance policy? Presumably comprehensive cover would extend to this type of claim?

[moonstone mart]

with such a small amount of unleaded put through it i would just refill the tank with diesel and a new fuel filter and see how it goes

[Madasafish]

As the engine appears not to be running - see oroginal post - a fuel and filter change is unlikely to work.

Engine warning light etc suggests an engine fuelling problem ...

[vld]

Just like to say thank you for all your replies.

Still in garage they've not had chance to look at it yet - but will let you know outcome when I get the dreaded call!!

I'm totally uncertain which way it will go - part of me thinks its run for 500 miles (eg since it was last filled up) with no problems at all until it conked out - but then the other part of me thinks as I'd let the fuel warning light come on I've probably dregged up all the stuff in the bottom of the tank - does petrol and diesel mix - or does it seperate??

Also when I bought it six months ago the fuel filter light was on - however the garage I bought it off said they'd changed all the filters and just had the warning light knocked off - so I'm wondering now if they really had changed the filter?

Oh well - will keep you all updated!

[Parts-King]

We get a lot of these happening and your insurance will pay out if you are fully comp!

The very high pressure pumps are made to very fine tolerences and even small amounts of petrol can cause lubrication problems within the pump

Years ago, before anti waxing agents were put in diesel, it was common place to add petrol to diesel to stop it waxing up in the winter those days are long gone, the first thing to do if it ever happens is DO NOT START the car but recover the car to a garage for draining and filter changing.

There are also a lot of cowboy operators who work in conjunction with petrol stations to offer a draining/repair service, I would steer well clear of these people and get your recovery company to recover you to your dealer or local garage, you are at the mercy of the cowboys once they have your car!

Kingo

[vld]

Ok car is back on the road and working ok - garage says its back to normal now with no lasting damage! Phew.

It had to have a complete pump overhaul as the pump (presume fuel pump) had seized, a new valve?, the fuel filter changed and the fuel tank completely draining. The cost was £490 including the vat - don't know whether this is good, bad or indifferent - I'm just relieved it wasn't the engine to be honest.

A word of advise too ref the insurance - THEY WOULDNT PAY OUT - because my husband realised his mistake, was told to just add more deisel and drove it they say it wasn't accidental damage - however IF he would have filled it with unleaded and drove off then they would have covered it because he genuinely hadn't known he'd done anything wrong!!! So just be careful of that one if any of you find yourselves in the same position.

[Madasafish]

Ok car is back on the road and working ok - garage says its back to normal now with no lasting damage! Phew.

It had to have a complete pump overhaul as the pump (presume fuel pump) had seized, a new valve?, the fuel filter changed and the fuel tank completely draining. The cost was £490 including the vat - don't know whether this is good, bad or indifferent - I'm just relieved it wasn't the engine to be honest.

A word of advise too ref the insurance - THEY WOULDNT PAY OUT - because my husband realised his mistake, was told to just add more deisel and drove it they say it wasn't accidental damage - however IF he would have filled it with unleaded and drove off then they would have covered it because he genuinely hadn't known he'd done anything wrong!!! So just be careful of that one if any of you find yourselves in the same position.

That is dirt cheap for a pump overhaul.. You must have a great garage. Well done..

[PumpkinSteve]

I did it the other way around, put diesel in my brand new Yaris years ago...car would not start at all and had to have the tank drained and new fuel filter which cost £200 in all. That was an expensive lesson learned

[acetip]

I did it the other way around, put diesel in my brand new Yaris years ago...car would not start at all and had to have the tank drained and new fuel filter which cost £200 in all. That was an expensive lesson learned

the norfolk and suffolk police,according to local paper,spend thousands of pounds each year on repairs to vehicles that their drivers have filled with the wrong fuel.most likly other police forces have the same problem.

after filling my old passat with diesel for 15 years, i had to stop and think before i filled my auris vvti with the correct fuel.