Doh - Petrol in a diesel engine!!!

sdfuk · 29 Aug 2007 at 14:05

OK, I've been stupid...

A couple of days last week I accidently put about 3 litres of petrol into my diesel engine. It already had about a 1/4 of a tank of diesel in it so on realising my error I continued to fill up the reamainder with diesel (55 litre capacity). Ratio is about 5% petrol to 95% diesel.

What will happen in the long term?

My father in law said don't worry about it (he builds engines etc) and so far he's been correct as it's done about 200 miles no problems. (I topped up with diesel again once I used 1/8 of a tank)

I've been on some websites that claim it can erode fuel pipes! Surely this small amount cant be a problem?

Any thoughts?
S

alexthecheese · 29 Aug 2007 at 14:08

I've heard before that it's OK, as long as it's not a great deal of it. Don't they put petrol in diesel in winter anyhow, to improve the combustibility (if that is a word!) of it?

sdfuk · 29 Aug 2007 at 14:12

Yea, lorry drivers used to do it before they brought out some special mix - it stops the diesel from freeezong (or geling) in cold weather.

My father in law said he used to do it to stop his diesel geling when he went to eastern Europe picking up bike parts!

lordrobs · 29 Aug 2007 at 14:13

It will be fine

Dogbreath · 29 Aug 2007 at 14:14

Very unlikley to cause problems with that little petrol, doubt you will notice any difference.

Stonedofmoo · 29 Aug 2007 at 15:04

Don't worry mate, I do this on a regular basis

A small dillution like that will have no adverse effect

jamief · 29 Aug 2007 at 15:10

Stonedofmoo said:
Don't worry mate, I do this on a regular basis

Round of applause for that man

laissez-faire · 29 Aug 2007 at 16:53

jamief said:
Round of applause for that man

I have a feeling he does it on purpose to increase the octane of his vegetable oil!

NathanE · 29 Aug 2007 at 16:57

Needs to be getting towards 30% petrol before it's going to cause damage.

5% is nothing and I'd doubt if the ECU even noticed!

One More Solo · 29 Aug 2007 at 18:08

My dad managed to brim our diesel with petrol on holiday in Italy this year, what a day that was.

BigglesPiP · 29 Aug 2007 at 18:45

It'll be fine, I've seen much stronger mixes come out fine, even on these newfangled high pressure systems.

People still add a bit of petrol in the winter and only do damage over a very long period of doing so. Diesel is perfectly capable of not waxing today tho.

Edit: Oh, nearly forgot; FAIL!

Trifid · 29 Aug 2007 at 19:06

One More Solo said:
My dad managed to brim our diesel with petrol on holiday in Italy this year, what a day that was.

Same, sisters graduation, he got 1.5 miles down the road and filled up with petrol. :/

BMW were great about it though. They cleaned the fuel tank out and had him back on the road 4 hours later. Charged £300 for it though, but only filled up to just over reserve. (not sure if that is good price or not...)