Dealer put petrol into my diesel car

Newman1000

Just bought a almost brand new Renault Clio ( 70 miles on the clock) from a Dealership. Went to collect it today. Signed the paperwork and wnet to drive off . Starter turned over about 10 times before catching but idle was fine . I then drove off but engine felt like it was misfiring . About 500 metres down the road I turned around and went back to the dealer . Salesman tells me it looks like the dealrship put petrol into my diesel car . ( New Starter apparently!!!) . Offered to drain it and sort it out tomorrow and get it delivered . However when I got back home I have had a read up about it and found out that putting petrol into a diesel car can damage the fuel pump and void the warranty . I am planning to write the dealer tomorrow and inform them that I will not accept the car back without a brand new fuel pump and confirmation that they will cover any other defects that have arisen from their mistake . Am I overreacting?

Robisere

In my years as a workshop foreman, I serviced and maintained a Hire fleet of cars, vans and mini buses at one stage. This happened twice: a customer put petrol into a diesel engine. We recovered both outside the filling station, drained the fuel tank and disconnected the fuel lines, cleaned them out and blew through with an airline on minimum setting. Cleaned the fuel pump and filter, connected everything up and restarted the Engine. A little white smoke at first, then the engine settled down. Those two vehicles, a Nissan van and a Nissan minibus, ran for many hires before my boss ended the Hire part of the business and returned the leased stock. We heard of no more problems from the leasing company, and believe me they would certainly have been on our case if there were any further problems!

I doubt that the fuel pump will be damaged, providing the dealership mechanics (sorry, aren't they called Technicians now) drain, clean and check correctly.

I might add that the petrol came in useful, we saved it...

Dean000000

No, for a change a poster on here that is not overreacting.....

Had this mistake have been yours, be assured that they would be indemnifying themselves all day long.

No need to hang em out to dry though, but certainly in a good negotiating position.

worried_jim

Driving 1KM with petrol in the tank won't cause too much damage as it will still be mostly running on the residual diesel in the fuel lines. Good call going straight back rather than continuing.

Mercdriver

AndyMc..... wrote: »

Not that many have overreacted in the six weeks you've been here.

If you are implying something, I should note that people in glass houses...

Newman1000

Thank you for your responses I will contact the dealer and see what they will do . For the last poster I would be grateful if you could go a pick a fight on other threads rather than mine thanks .

foxy-stoat

I would reject the car and buy somewhere else - let them pass on any future problems to some other poor sap. Well done for not driving it for 6-8 months before coming on here and asking for advice.

jk0

Yeah. Another vote here for reject.


It might be some other problem than wrong fuel.

Geodark

Did this myself a few years back, filled the tank with petrol and drove home - started coughing and chugging as I turned into my street. Drained and flushed the tank and refilled with diesel - car is still going strong. 12 year old 1.7cdti astra - and it still does 63ish MPG on a long run, so can't have done much damage - the petrol gave my injectors a good clean if nowt else

forgotmyname

Brand new pump is more likely to be a recon unit that may not last as long as the current one thats fitted even though it briefly had some petrol go through it.

Newman1000

Thank you all for your responses . I have agreed with the dealer to carry out the repair. The repair will be warrantied and I will have written confirmation that the manufacturers warranty is not affected .They have also agreed to a goodwill gesture which I have agreed