So, of course......having used a petrol car for a month in New Zealnd, I got my C4 Picasso diesel out of my garage lfor the qst time ast night. I went to local Esso and promptly filled the thing up with petrol! DOH!
Car still on forecourt awaiting low loader to take it to garage for draining and whatever else needs to be done. Had very sleepless night (you'll see this post is timed at 05:20hrs, but been awake since 03:00hrs)
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If you have not started the engine then it should be a case of draining the tank and filling up with fresh diesel. To quote the AA in the UK.........
"If the car's still under warranty you should check with the franchised dealer regarding their advice and correct remedial action ? running with even a small amount of petrol in the tank might invalidate the warranty while some manufacturers advise that seals and filters should be renewed even if the engine has not been run.
Generally a small amount of incorrect fuel should not damage the engine as long as you have not started the car and top up fully with diesel fuel.
* If you've added more than 10% (5 litres in a 50 litre tank) petrol ? Drain the tank and refill with diesel
* If you've added less than 10% petrol (5 litres in a 50 litre tank) ? Top up with diesel and run normally unless the manufacturer has advised otherwise"
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Depending on age/warranty issues worth ringing AA Fuel Assist for advice;
AA Fuel Assist
In November 2007 the AA launched Fuel Assist, a specialist roadside service that drains, flushes and replenishes vehicle fuel systems on the spot, saving the customer both time, money and inconvenience.
AA Fuel Assist is available to the general public as well as to AA Members and will attend any vehicle providing the Fuel Assist van has enough capacity in its tanks.
The service not only retrieves the contaminated fuel but ensures that it is recycled through a waste management company with the end product being used to power cement kilns and furnaces for example.
Price starts at £176.25 for AA members and £199.75 (£218.50 from 1 February 2009) for non-members
Fresh fuel to refill the tank is charged at pump price
Operates Monday to Friday, 8am till 8pm
An appointment system is in place
Bookings and enquiries number for AA Fuel Assist is 0870 240 3985 (opening hours 7.30am till 7pm)
Dedicated, trained technicians ? who only do fuel drains, not general breakdowns ? arrive within an hour, on average
Fuel AssistSM is a registered Service Mark
More information about AA Fuel Assist.
Edited by Honestjohn on 15/03/2009 at 08:42
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Tack,
So long as you've not run the thing for more than a few moments it'll be fine, any competent garage can drain it, flush the fuel lines and put a new fuel filter on it for you to be on the safe side.
The last thing i'd do is tell the dealership or any manufacturer linked garage, should something go wrong with any part of the fuel system in the future they'll say the misfuelling has caused it.
Horrible worrying night you've had, trouble is it's so easy to do.
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I'm firmly with gb on this one.
Sounds like the car's not even been run, so all the fuel in the lines will be pure diesel.
Drain it from the tank outlet, slosh half a gallon of diesel in, drain again, refill and off you go.
You could almost do it yourself, except few of us have any means of dealing with/disposing of contaminated fuel.
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few of us have any means of dealingwith/disposing of contaminated fuel.
True but most garages have. My independent will take it, for a small fee as they have to pay to have it taken away, along with the sump oil, hydraulic fluid etc that all go in the same tank. (They say it gets made into new engine oil and that the new oil looks unusually yellow, smells nasty and should be avoided.)
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AA Fuel Assist:
Great tip, thanks Able1. I called them this morning on the off chance, and they were operating with volunteers who are after a bit of overtime. Someone is coming out at 12:30'ish.
So, although Mon-Fri operation if official, if it happens to anyone at the weekend it is worth a call to see if overtime bandits are about!
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Thanks to Able1
All done as of 5 mins ago.
I think the guy was the SAS of the AA, dressed in black (apart from hi-viz vest), and military boots. Interesting process to watch. He was pleased with his tea and packet of Hob-Nobs and a little something in his sky-rocket.
I parted with just under £200 with a big grin on my face. Tho' not a member, they charged me member rate as the guy who was booked for 9.30 failed to materialise.
A big thanks to Able1 for the info. Saved me from the clutches of dealership which probably would have cost me twice as much!
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Do you know if the RAC performs this type of service?
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>>"If the car's still under warranty you should check with the franchised dealer regarding their advice and correct remedial action
The dealer would be the last person I would consult, unless you can do so anonymously.
It's not as if you're likely to find anybody who knows what they're talking about, and worst case is that your warranty will be cancelled unless you replace half the fuel system at vast expense.
EDIT- apology for repetition, jumped in before reading rest of thread...
Edited by Manatee on 14/03/2009 at 09:22
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Good result tack.
Glad it was as hassle free as it's likely to get.
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Able 1
Thanks for this i didnt know it existed well worth knowing.
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great advice and a great result - this is what this forum is realy about
MVP
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Seconded! Bet tack is pleased to extricate himself. Shame about the sleepless night though!
Edited by nortones2 on 27/03/2009 at 15:12
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Glad it got sorted.
Has anyone come to any conclusions about the best devices to fit on a diesel to stop petrol being put in?
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How about a big plastic sign on the filler cap with "DIESEL" written on it or one of those annoying electronic things that shouts very loudly that you should only use diesel as soon as you open the filler cap cover.
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I am meant to have one of those annoying boxes I should fit - two in fact. The one I didn't fit to the Mondeo and the one for the Mazda6. The latter one arrived with a flat battery!
I do double check the nozzle each time I use it though. You never know when a moment of madness hits.
But you'd feel like a right one with this fitted... here's an example MP3.
www.dieselguard.com/sound/dieselfuelonly.mp3
Edited by rtj70 on 27/03/2009 at 18:17
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Did the same last year, if you haven't started it there'sno problem except the pain in the wallet.
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I have a large component installed above my cervical spine. It is commonly called a brain. Each time I fuel my Diesel car, this component obsessionally checks that the fuel I have chosen is Diesel.
It does this by looking at the colour of the filler pipe and by looking at the display on the fuel pump (it has an amazing visual input for this, eyes).
This component has not failed me as yet but it is prone to something called dementia, so I will not be arrogant or complacent in my faith in it.
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I am so obsessed with the price of fuel due to having to spend about £6000 a year on the stuff on the Backbridge "fleet" that I can't imagine putting the wrong type in any of our cars. This week alone I bought £250 worth. Can't possibly be distracted when you are doing that.......
:-(
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Misfuelling ? Are you kidding ? Not me, not a chance. That's for simpletons, I'm afraid I operate on a much higher plane altogether.
Always on the button, right on the money - at all times.
For heaven's sake the pumps are clearly marked - lets face it you'd have to be - you know, not the full shilling.
It beggars belief, dear oh dear oh dear. Hopeless and helpless I'd say - serves 'em right.
Let's be fair they shouldn't be on the road if they're capable of that, heaven help us.
Tell you what, I'd make it an endorsable offence - 3 points and no messing - stick that in your tank I say.
What's that you say ? Fifteen years ago? 10 day old Nissan ?
Hmmmm. What times the football on ?
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