It’s easy to mix up diesel fuel with the kind that should be used in a car. You may be in a vehicle you aren’t used to driving or just are distracted at the gas station. Regardless, it can be a stressful situation to find out that you have used the Wrong Diesel.
Fortunately, there are ways to help reduce the issue if it occurs quickly. If you discover that you have put diesel in a petrol car, the first thing to do is not to start the car’s engine. Professional wrong fuel recovery can then extract the contaminated fuel before it leads to additional issues.
Wrong Fuel Recovers offers mobile wrong fuel recovery services for motorists who accidentally use the wrong fuel type when filling up at petrol stations, in homes and appropriate roadside sites.
What Does Wrong Diesel Mean?
The most common misuse of the word wrong diesel is when someone puts diesel into the petrol car or uses the wrong kind of diesel or fuel in the car.
The most frequent error people make is filling up their petrol car with diesel fuel. Fuels used in diesel and petrol engines are different. The engines of petrol cars are spark ignited whereas the ones of diesel cars are compression ignited. Thus, the improper fuel won’t function properly in the engine.
Diesel in a petrol car can lead to issues such as misfire, loss of power, smoke and stalling, the AA notes.
What Should You Do After Putting Wrong Diesel in Your Car?
The first rule is the most basic: Don’t start the engine!
If you can spot it at the gas station, park the car with the ignition off. Let the station personnel know, and request assistance to get the vehicle to a safe place while avoiding turning the key in the ignition.
Then, call a wrong fuel recovery company.
If the engine has already been started, turn it off immediately when it is safe to do so. While already underway, stop at a safe place before shutting down the power.
The RAC also recommends that drivers should not start their cars after misfuelling and should have the fuel drained and flushed professionally.
Why Is Diesel in a Petrol Car a Problem?
Diesel will not combust properly in a gasoline-powered engine. Can coat components of the fuel and ignition system instead of creating the combustion process the engine is designed to receive.
This can lead to a poor engine performance. You could notice:
- Engine misfiring
- Loss of power
- Excessive exhaust smoke
- Engine stalling
- Difficulty restarting
- A warning light that comes on the dashboard.
The longer the engine is operated with the wrong fuel, the greater the potential for problems. The AA points out that diesel may cause the spark plugs to become fouled, the fuel system to become clogged and can lead to damage of the catalytic converter if the engine keeps running.
So, early termination is always preferable.
What If You Have Already Driven With Wrong Diesel?
If the vehicle has already been driven after the incorrect fuel has been added, there is no need to panic.
Stop at a safe location and shut off the engine. After that, call in a professional recovery technician.
Describe what has just happened when calling for help. It helps to provide:
- Make and model of the vehicle.
- Correct fuel type
- Incorrect fuel added
- Approximate amount added
- If the engine was started or not.
- Approximate distance driven
- Any symptoms that you did observe.
This will give the technician an idea of what the situation is before they arrive.
The wrong fuel, start of the engine and fuel system of the vehicle can all have an impact on the recovery process.
Common Symptoms of Wrong Diesel
An accident sometimes happens when the driver is not immediately aware of the error. The car can still be operated for a short time without symptoms.
Some of the more common signs may be:
Misfiring
The engine might not run smoothly or as if it is not producing the necessary power level.
Loss of Power
You might see that the car doesn’t move as it should.
Excessive Smoke
If the fuel is not correct, it may result in abnormal exhaust smoke.
Stalling
Engine may fail to accelerate when traveling on the road or shortly after starting.
Difficulty Restarting
Once the vehicle stops, it could have difficulty getting started again.
Some of the symptoms the RAC mentions for diesel contamination in a petrol vehicle are misfiring, excessive smoke, failure to restart and stalling.
How Is Wrong Diesel Removed?
Typical steps in professional wrong fuel recovery involve a few steps.
1. Vehicle Assessment
The technician determines what fuel has been added and whether or not the engine has been operating.
2. Fuel Drain
Appropriate specialist equipment is used to remove the contaminated fuel from the vehicle.
3. System Check
If the engine has been started, the technician is able to determine if the wrong fuel has passed through the fuel system.
4. Flushing
Depending on the vehicle and situation, pieces of the fuel system might require further flushing to remove any remaining contamination.
5. Correct Fuel
After the contaminated fuel is pumped out, the vehicle can be refuelled with the right fuel.
The actual procedure differs with each car. Fuel systems of today may also have varying access requirements, and so professional assessment is important.
Can You Drain Wrong Diesel Yourself?
The fuel is easy to take off, and it looks like a great idea. But do not do self fuel draining.
Fuel is flammable and modern vehicles have more and more sophisticated fuel systems. You may not be able to completely remove the contaminated fuel if you don’t use the right equipment. You might also be making unneeded safety hazards.
The work can be performed in a controlled manner by a professional technician who has the proper equipment and experience.
This makes it more practical to pursue professional fuel recovery in most cases.
Why Choose Mobile Wrong Fuel Recovery?
Misfuelling can occur at any time and place. It may be at a busy petrol station, outside your home or on the middle of a journey.
The mobile recovery service can reach you at your place. This will often be the case, as you might not need to call towing services in advance before you can deal with the fuel issue.
Wrong Fuel Recovers offers mobile wrong fuel recovery services to help motorists at suitable locations throughout the UK.
This can ease the recovery process, and may prevent the use of a vehicle that could contain contaminated fuel in its system.
How Can You Prevent Wrong Diesel?
There are a couple of easy things to do that help minimize the risk of committing a fuel error.
Before refuelling:
- Look at the fuel indication of the vehicle.
- Look around the fuel filler label.
- Double-check the pump before putting in the nozzle.
- Be extra cautious of rented or unfamiliar vehicles.
- Don’t get distracted at petrol station.
- Don’t rush the selection of fuel.
The AA also advises using the pump, not just the nozzle colours, as well as the fuel grade.
Saving time will save a lot of trouble later.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I put wrong diesel in my car?
Avoid starting the engine. Turn off the car and call a wrong fuel recovery company.
Can I drive after putting diesel in a petrol car?
It is best not to drive. The engine running can cause the wrong fuel to flow through the system, and can cause damage.
Is diesel in a petrol car serious?
Can lead to engine performance issues and can damage engine components if operating with contaminated fuel. It’s best to get rid of the fuel as soon as possible.
What if I have already started the engine?
Turn off the engine when it is safe to do so. Next, call a professional technician and let them know what type of fuel was used and how long the car was operating.
Can wrong diesel be removed at a petrol station?
Many times, mobile wrong fuel technicians can drain the fuel at an appropriate petrol station. The manner in which the change occurs varies depending on the vehicle and conditions.
How long does wrong fuel recovery take?
Depending on vehicle, fuel tank design, amount of fuel that was the wrong fuel, and whether the engine has been run, recovery time will vary. Once the situation has been assessed, a technician can be able to give a more accurate estimate.
Can I drain wrong diesel myself?
Not recommended. Fuel is combustible and fuel systems may require specialist equipment. A better way is professional fuel draining.
Does Wrong Fuel Recovers provide mobile recovery?
Yes. Wrong Fuel Recovers offers on-the-spot wrong fuel recovery services for drivers who accidently fill their fuel tanks with the wrong fuel.
Conclusion
There’s nothing more troubling than putting the Wrong Diesel into your vehicle, but if you take proper action in a timely manner, it could stop the problem from escalating.
If you accidentally put diesel in your petrol car don’t start or drive it. Rather, leave the engine turned off and set up professional help.
Fuel system can be flushed by trained technician and can identify if it needs additional attention or flushing. Above all, don’t try to fix the issue by driving to a garage.
If you are in a situation where you’ve made a fuel mistake, Wrong Fuel Recovers can help you with professional mobile wrong fuel recovery. It is better to seek professional assistance immediately and get yourself on the road again safely.
This article contains information that is general in nature. Recovery procedure is dependent upon the vehicle and the type and quantity of fuel which has been entered into the vehicle and whether the engine has been started or run.