Petrol in a CDI

[SamR]

It was a windy day... and I could just smell the Diesel from the filler cap. In any case Petrol stations often smell of petrol.

Thanks for the comment, though. At least what's done is done, and I can use the car tomorrow hoping I'm not aggravating the situation.

In respect of damage, is it like running a 2 stroke without the lube? So potentially there is scoring in the diesel pump, injectors etc. Pistons and cylinders should be ok, car's done 60k miles. Any damage should show up as loss of mpg on my averages? Or??? just shortened the life of the car, instead of 200k, it's a 100k car? Or, who knows...

After all, we use petrol to clean components, so the petrol itself isn't harmful, just that it's not a lubricant. Or are the materials used damaged by petrol?

I'm interested scientifically (I was once going to be an engineer, before I went into IT), and also on the practical side...

thanks

 

[Dieselman]

The petrol acts as a solvent so provides no lubricant for the pump and injectors. This causes rapid wear to both and can cause steel filings to float around the fuel system.
The engine itself won't be harmed, just the fuel system.

You'll have to suck it and see.

 

[BonzoDog]

My wife did the same two weeks ago on her B200CDI on a Saturday. Luckily she noticed and did not start it. Called Mercedes who sent a truck. 1.5 hours later she had it back - €300. Fantastic service.

 

[Darrell]

I did it on my transit,had it sucked out by one of the recovery companies and it ran with no probs for another 70,000 miles.