stupid stupid me

MrSmartprice

Inactive wrote: »

So was I, in fact I seem to recall that it was advised to add a small amount of petrol to a diesel during severe winter weather.

I have driven diesel cars since about 1984. In those days it was common for a chap to come running out of the office at the filling station waving his arms and warning you that you were using a diesel pump! That's how few diesel cars were around then.

I certainly recall putting a gallon of petrol into a tank of diesel in freezing weather. It is true that the engines were far more primitive, but the other difference was in the quality of the diesel. In the 80s, before cleaner diesel, the 'derv' in the UK was some of the poorest in Europe. It was awful stuff, and in cold weather turned to wax in the injectors until the engine got warm. Adding petrol stopped this, but with modern diesel it doesn't seem to be necessary.

skintas_2

was there no sticker on the inside of the fuel door saying what fuel it was, i had unleaded than diesel, i always used to see the diesel sticker so it alywas reminded me

AdrianHi

MrSmartprice wrote: »

Adding petrol stopped this, but with modern diesel it doesn't seem to be necessary.

I understand refineries vary the diesel produced for winter conditions these days.

iolanthe07

A turbo lubricated with diesel?

Yes. Some of the lubrication is via the fuel itself. I can't do links, but it is on Honest John's website.

AdrianHi

iolanthe07 wrote: »

A turbo lubricated with diesel?

Yes. Some of the lubrication is via the fuel itself. I can't do links, but it is on Honest John's website.

The diesel fuel is itself a lubricant for components such as the fuel pump, but not the turbo charger which is reliant on oil for lubrication.
The turbo charger is all about forcing more air into the cylinder which then enables you to inject more fuel in without the mixture getting too rich. The fuel flow never goes near the turbo charger.

dipsy

I did this to my ex partners car, and refused to move it off the forecourt until a mechanic came to see me, the advise I was given was to top up with diesel and keep doing this, each time there was a bit of room - within reason as your not going to stop every few miles- was told the issue was more of a problem when putting diesel in a petrol car.

Stephb1986_2

my brother has done this loads, he just dilutes it with double what you put in and it will be ok

HTH

Steph xx

moggylover

Wig wrote: »

It's not a problem if it is only a few litres, then you could change pump and fill with diesel to the top. But this guy had about 75% petrol in there, and he drove it home so contaminated fuel could be in the pipes and fuel filter, but maybe not yet reached the engine as it was only 5 miles to get home.

I had about 15 miles worth of diesel left when I filled up with about £30 worth of petrol - and the car broke down cos it was coughing and spluttering like fury and would not pull, on the way home from the petrol station. It had definitely "reached" the engine - and she gave off blue smoke for a while after they got her started - told that I was lucky it was not the other way around - cos that would have damaged the engine.

cyclonebri1

Wig wrote: »

I think you should phone up a few small garages and ask for quotes to collect the car by simple towing (assuming not automatic),
drain the fuel from tank,
remove + empty fuel filter + refit,
open the injector pipes/fuel rail whatever, and turn engine over until good diesel comes through.
change fuel filter for new.
And that should be enough.


Another check to do would be to ask if there is an in-tank fuel pump with reservoir attatched, they have them on petrol cars not sure about diesels. So I would look in the tank and remove and empty the reservoir if there is one.

If you hadn't driven it, it would have been enough to drain the tank and refill - job done.

Sounds about right to me but bare in mind that some diesels can be an absolute pig to start if the fuel is ever drained/run out. Much more so than petrol engines.

Big buisiness nowadays reclaiming "mixed" fuel;)

gsmmad

im not being funny but the lease company has insurance ....so you could claim on that ....couldnt u?