Garage put wrong fuel in pumps

MisalignedHalo

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Last week I filled my diesel car up at a garage, I was travelling home along the motorway when it started to judder. As i was travelling alone I didnt want to stop on the motorway so made it to my home town approx 80 miles before stopping to phone my partner. He obviously thought I had put the wrong fuel in but I was certain it was correct. On turning the engine back on to try and make it home it wouldnt start. I called the petrol garage that I had filled up at and they admitted that Gulf had filled their Diesel pumps with unleaded by mistake. They told me to wait and they would send a truck with a courtesy car to come and collect mine. When he arrived 2 hrs later he took my car and left me with a pile of crap to drive, I even asked him if the car was roadworthy. He took mine away, i get in the courtesy car to find no fuel in it, windows dont work and my hands sticking to the wheel it was so filthy. They said they would drop mine back later that evening.
Since having my car returned my engine light is constantly on and my car appears to still be juddering every now and again.
I would like to know if this is where their responsibility ends? I have no idea what they did to my car to ensure it was fixed, will I have long term problems? what are my rights? I know the garage are not going to be out of pocket as they told me they would be claiming from gulf for the mistake.

I would be grateful for any help:)

Posting in two separate sections as wasnt sure where to get the best advice

pinkshoes

I Would phone the garage to let them know that the car is still juddering, so you will be taking it to your local garage to be looked at at their expense.

Send them a letter detailing the phone Conversation.

Keep a note of ALL costs incurred.

You should expect to have your car back to how it was before at no expense to you.

cono1717

Presumably they drained the tank and refilled it with the correct fuel, I would suspect (although don't know) that the judders are the traces of fuel left behind.

With regards to your check engine light if you know a mechanic or even a car enthusiast chances are they will have a OBD tool that you can plug into your car and it will show what the fault it. It may be that it isn't related to the fuel issue and that it was going to appear anyway.

If not then I'd run it into a garage first and ask what the problem is and if that could be caused by the incorrect fuel - if so ask for a written report as well as a quote to fix it - advise the garage of the report and advise them you are willing to get two more quotes if they need others

TadleyBaggie

Duplicate thread: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5304001

macman

Wasn't a good idea to drive it 80 miles with the juddering present-you could have pulled off the motorway and phoned then? You may have caused engine damage (pump, injectors, seals) by driving it that distance with the wrong fuel. Just draining the tank and refilling with diesel is not sufficient.
Don't drive it any further, get it inspected at a competent garage and advise the other garage that you hold them fully liable for the cost of repairs. They've admitted the fuel was wrong, and don't have a leg to stand on.

m0bov

You will need new fuel pump, injectors. There might also be bore damage as the diesel also acts as a lubricant, the damage could be severe.

I would get it to a trusted garage, maybe main dealer. Also push for compo and a decent hire car.

ChumLee

m0bov wrote: »

You will need new fuel pump, injectors. There might also be bore damage as the diesel also acts as a lubricant, the damage could be severe.

I would get it to a trusted garage, maybe main dealer. Also push for compo and a decent hire car.

Yes all to common these days.

zaax

The engine is F**ked. The injectors are messed up, the heads would have over headed; and the engine block could be warped. Get a full independent written assessment, as you may have to go to court