Wrong fuel but car is better

[Gh3382]

Last week I decided to drop 55 ltrs of unleaded into my 350ML which had 10 Ltrs of diesel in it.

I went about 500 yards and it died on me and I knew straight away what I had done.

The AA couldnt get fuel assist to me so they flatbedded it home and came out in the morning.
Nearly 2 hours later they had cleared it with their specialist kit and put £20 of diesel in it.
It started first time and sounded better than before. I filled it up and took in on a dual carriageway and gave it some stick

The car has never ran so good. I dont know if the petrol removed the crap from the injectors but it is quieter and far more responsive during driving and when I kick it down.

Not recommended though as it cost me £220 for fuel assist from the AA and £80 in wasted fuel but what a difference.

GH3382

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

Jesus, diesel doctor is only circa £130! £220 seems quite steep, especially if an AA subscriber

 

[clk320x]

Jesus, diesel doctor is only circa £130! £220 seems quite steep, especially if an AA subscriber

Ash I tried to send you a PM ago thank you for the bulb recommendation but your PM box was full.

Thanks!

They are out of stock but will keep an eye on the link

 

[MancMike]

Maybe the petrol did just clear it out a bit before it conked out.

If that's the case, maybe run the VPower (or equivalent) diesel for a bit, as it has detergents in it that might give you more of the same...

 

[Gh3382]

Wont be doing it again hopefully its dear motoring.
GH3382

 

[Dave.tam]

I did this once in a diesel car and the AA man told me the same, "it certainly won't do it and harm, and it may in fact be good for the engine"

Must admit, I never felt any difference in the car, but it was only a small Seat Ibiza

 

[MarkACLS]

The unleaded will also have removed lubrication from the diesel fuel pump, so take it easy and let the diesel lubricate the pump again.

 

[ampwhu]

I still don't understand how people can put the wrong fuel in their car. someone please tell me why this happens?

I have 4 cars in the house. 2 diesel and 2 petrol. its never happened to any of us.

when pulling up to a fuel pump, you get out and open the fuel filler cap. its quite clear at this point what fuel you need. is it not?

 

[MancMike]

I still don't understand how people can put the wrong fuel in their car. someone please tell me why this happens?

I have 4 cars in the house. 2 diesel and 2 petrol. its never happened to any of us.

when pulling up to a fuel pump, you get out and open the fuel filler cap. its quite clear at this point what fuel you need. is it not?

I'm like you, and I asked this exact question recently. I got several replies.

https://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/new...t-wrong-fuel-can-anyone-help.html#post2461497

 

[ampwhu]

thanks, ive read the thread and still don't get how you put the wrong fuel in.

maybe people are trying to update their facebook status whilst in the fuel station?

 

[Dave.tam]

For me it was simple, I drive an unleaded car, but that day I was driving a diesel. It's an automatic thing. I go to the pump, I pick up the unleaded pump, and I fill it up lol I'm not sure how anyone can NOT understand how easy it is to do lol

 

[pembssurf]

For me it was simple, I drive an unleaded car, but that day I was driving a diesel. It's an automatic thing. I go to the pump, I pick up the unleaded pump, and I fill it up lol I'm not sure how anyone can NOT understand how easy it is to do lol

Iv come very close to doing it, have a mixture of diesel/ petrol work cars and then had 1 petrol and 1 diesel car at home. Had a very stressful day one day and switched off at the petrol station in automatic mode. Next thing I realised I am holding a diesel pump in a petrol filling cap! I maybe young and foolish at the age of 36 but I don't have such a reckless attitude as to be updating my Facebook status like the rest of us young uns! Despicable!

 

[alzieboy]

Have to own up and admit to doing it to my Wife's Golf

 

[GeeJayW]

thanks, ive read the thread and still don't get how you put the wrong fuel in.

maybe people are trying to update their facebook status whilst in the fuel station?

As the nozzle fits, it's very easy to put petrol into a diesel car, especially if you also drive petrol car regularly.

Not so easy the other way round as the diesel nozzle is fatter than an unleaded petrol nozzle.

 

[John]

I've never mis-fuelled anything but for those questioning those who do, I would say you cannot judge other people's state of mind from your own.

I know this from three bereavements close to me in two years but you would have no idea otherwise!

Obviously there are could be many other factors...

If you can go through life without any external influences affecting you, I congratulate you and you are highly likely never to mis-fuel your car!

 

[dulayj]

Only done this once-v power unleaded next to vpower diesel nozzle
unfamiliar station and in a rush-momentary lack of concentration-luckily realised putting petrol in after 2.3 litres!-so filled up rest with diesel and carried on back after 140 mile drive back from Leicester no problems !

 

[leef44]

Only done this once-v power unleaded next to vpower diesel nozzle
unfamiliar station and in a rush-momentary lack of concentration-luckily realised putting petrol in after 2.3 litres!-so filled up rest with diesel and carried on back after 140 mile drive back from Leicester no problems !

Agreed, although I have not mis-fueled before, I am finding it trickier now with V-Power diesel more widely available. I keep having to do a second take and make sure I have the right nozzle.

 

[Monkeylegend]

My E220 CDi sounds so much like a petrol car I have to be very careful every time I fill up

 

[219]

I still don't understand how people can put the wrong fuel in their car. someone please tell me why this happens?

I have 4 cars in the house. 2 diesel and 2 petrol. its never happened to any of us.

when pulling up to a fuel pump, you get out and open the fuel filler cap. its quite clear at this point what fuel you need. is it not?

It can be down to force of habit .

After a lifetime of only petrol cars , I started a new job and went to fuel a works people carrier , which was Diesel . I drove up to the pump and had put about a fiver's worth in when I realised it was petrol . I immediately stopped and paid for the petrol out of my own pocket , then went back out and filled the tank with £50 or so of Diesel . The vehicle ran fine and no issues . No one was any the wiser .

I knew it wouldn't be a problem as we purposefully used to add petrol to diesel in my father's trucks during winter , to prevent 'waxing' of the diesel .

If you can't get a line down the filler neck to siphon or pump unwanted fuel out , it's usually easy enough to access the fuel gauge sender and get a line into the tank that way .

 

[219]

As the nozzle fits, it's very easy to put petrol into a diesel car, especially if you also drive petrol car regularly.

Not so easy the other way round as the diesel nozzle is fatter than an unleaded petrol nozzle.

Depends on the car - filler is just the same on older cars .