Fuel mix mistake

[gromit]

I need some advice. I just filled up and made the inevitable mistake - petrol instead of diesel! I put in about 16 litres before I realised. I topped up with diesel and estimate that I have 16 litres petrol and 62 litres diesel. Can I run it without doing any damage? (S320)

 

[dava]

You might just get away with that, you'll know if it's wrong, white smoke running rough.

 

[JEZ.S320L]

You might just get away with that, you'll know if it's wrong, white smoke running rough.

But wouldn't that indicate damage to the engine?

For what it costs to drain and replace - it would be a damn sight cheaper than a new engine etc.

 

[gromit]

Fuel mistake

Thanks for that Dava - seems to be running fine. I'll check it out for the smoke.

 

[dava]

Not really, I get up to 5 per week doing this and as long as they dont run it on pure petrol you usually get away with it and to be fair they dont run on pure petrol. If they are run for any lenghth of time with a high mix it tends to wash the high pressure pump of lubriacant and after some time you find difficulty starting.

But this is just my opinion others may feel different, if it was my car I would just keep topping it up and I might mix a small amount of oil in the tank, a ltr at the most. Many truck drivers add a gallon of petrol or parrafin in cold weather to prevent waxing of the deisel, so as long as the mix is not to high it should be ok.

 

[Old Hat Shop]

Generally speaking you should be able to get away with it at that ratio. At the earliest opportunity, stick a bit more diesel in.

Even the best of us make this mistake. 60 litres of petrol to 0 diesel. Pass the phone. That cost me £250 and fours hours work. and I did it again, but stopped at 2 litres.

Let us know how it turns out.

 

[rf065]

As above, even if you have only used 2 or 3 gallons, top up with more diesel for a while.

Russ

 

[television]

You cant get away with that much in a CDI engine, the only lubrication for the pumps is in the diesel.

The life will be serious shortened 6 liters in a full tank id the Max

 

[moosehead]

It's amazing that Mercedes haven't come up with a system to prevent misfuelling as Ford have done with the new Mondeo. Does anyone know if they have a similar system on the new 'C'?

 

[Xtractorfan]

As dava. Yea stick a half litre at least of engine oil into the tank, the petrol will act as a cleaner and spruce up the injectors, you may find the car hard to start. take it for a good drive, and top up with more diesel asap. when you are sure that the petrol has been mostly used up. change the fuel filter..the petrol can cause it to warp..oh and if it is really hard to start unscrew the fuel filter and clean out the fuel bowl, refill the bowl with diesel..heating oil/paraffin will do to get it running and replace the filter
and actually u can add 20% paraffin.heating oil per tankful during severe winter weatherto stop waxing

 

[st13phil]

It's amazing that Mercedes haven't come up with a system to prevent misfuelling as Ford have done with the new Mondeo. Does anyone know if they have a similar system on the new 'C'?

I have a new diesel C-Class and although I haven't tried putting an unleaded pump nozzle in the fuel filler, I see no reason why it wouldn't fit. How does the Ford system work on the Mondeo?

 

[st13phil]

You cant get away with that much in a CDI engine, the only lubrication for the pumps is in the diesel.

I echo Malcolm's comments on this. VAG PD engines and the latest generation of very high pressure common rail systems don't like much petrol mixed in with the diesel at all. Not sure of the maximum amount that you can get away with, but perhaps a call to an MB dealer or two would be helpful?

 

[FIBAMAN]

You have approx. 25% petrol in your tank, most advise 10% mix for waxing protection so that proportion should be safe. Drop half your tank and refill, then you are there or thereabouts, without the damage worry. Keep the drainings and reuse in the correct proportion, so your waste is minimised..

 

[television]

I echo Malcolm's comments on this. VAG PD engines and the latest generation of very high pressure common rail systems don't like much petrol mixed in with the diesel at all. Not sure of the maximum amount that you can get away with, but perhaps a call to an MB dealer or two would be helpful?

On all of the diesel seminars that I have been on they have estimated that under 10% would be the max

 

[st13phil]

On all of the diesel seminars that I have been on they have estimated that under 10% would be the max

Thanks for the info, Malcolm

 

[Autofix]

My advice, based on both my experience and the training I have done on modern common rail systems is to not drive it. Get it drained, flushed and refilled with diesel. Even a small amount of petrol can cause serious (expensive) damage to the fuel system.

 

[mattkh]

system to prevent misfuelling as Ford have done with the new Mondeo. /QUOTE]
Hi
What is this system ?

 

[moosehead]

Not sure what the system is specifically but they quote this in their marketing blurb. Probably best to pop into a Ford dealer and ask them.

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Not sure what the system is specifically but they quote this in their marketing blurb. Probably best to pop into a Ford dealer and ask them.

Here we go:

Easy Fuel

Ford's solution -- which it has patented -- is Easy Fuel, a device that prevents a thinner, unleaded petrol nozzle from being inserted into a car with a diesel engine. The mis-fuelling inhibitor consists of a sealed filler pipe insert and fuel nozzle locator that guides the nozzle to the tank opening. The insert contains a mechanically operated diameter detector which only allows the larger diesel fuel nozzle to be inserted into the filler pipe, and locks out the thinner gasoline nozzles.

 

[astradave81]

Ford diesel engines are that noisey i don't know how anyone could put the wrong fuel in, if i were them i'd try and develop a car that was actually nice to drive!! Anyway back on topic if i were you i'd get the tank drained just in case we'd probably charge around £50 for the pleasure i wouldn't have thought any other indie would charge much more.. A small price to pay for piece of mind.