Petrol into the diesel tank

[no46]

I am new here and to Mercedes - apologies if this in wrong forum.

Tonight I put about 1 gallon of unleaded into my c220, I believe I had about 1 gallon of diesel remaining in the tank.

Any ideas of what to do next.

NB I drove about 1/2 mile from the petrol station to home after realising my stupidity.

 

[Ian Brown]

you will need to fill the tank to dilute the petrol,

 

[no46]

you will need to fill the tank to dilute the petrol,

And no real harm done ? Heard horror stories about serious engine damage.

 

[Ian Brown]

And no real harm done ? Heard horror stories about serious engine damage.

I used to put petrol in when it was winter time to stop the diesel from freezing about half a gallon per full tank with no damage to the engine. i have heard that it can do the fuel pump in on the cdi engines. But just keep topping the tank up and keep diluting it

 

[cubicincubi]

if you are sure it was only a gallon (were talking about 5 litres right? fill the tank up with diesel, keep sticking a fiver in when it goes down, do that half a dozen times and it'll be ok. If your worried then drain it. the dilution should save any seal or engine wear or pump failure.

it is more of an immediate concern to put diesel in a petrol car as it wont run.

 

[maldon]

Been there NO 46 as have a few others on here. Really is a horrible feeling...

I had put about a gallon in just under a quarter of a tank in my ML - I filled absolutely to the brim with diesel and kept topping up 1/8 tank after 4/8th's moved on to 1/4 tanks, then half etc.

 

[no46]

Went back to the petrol station and the tank took about 57 litres of diesel, drove to work (15 miles) - noticed no difference. If any serious damage was occuring what would be the symptoms and when would you expect them to be seen.

 

[mike65]

I suspect 5 lires of petrol diluted with 57 litres of diesel will be enoigh to prevent any damage. Once upon a time you could sling up to 20% into derv and not do any harm, fancy modern fuel pumps/injectors are much more picky.

Mike.

 

[SLinKyjoe]

if you were going to have a problem you would have found out already!

 

[no46]

Thanks for the advice. Hope not to make that mistake again.

 

[Garrycox]

When I picked up my ML diesel three weeks ago the dealer went to great lengths to explain that I should not start the engine in the event I mistakingly put any petrol in.

Interesting to read other experiences of this though. I know two people that have done this and ended up with engine rebuild bills in four figures.

 

[tom7035]

Dealerships are always after your cash, for any reason. Your two unfortunate acquaintances must really have gone to town with the petrol mixture though.

 

[maldon]

Was talking to the saleman at MB dealership about this subject - he admitted that once, on a delivery, he took the new Owners to the garage and put about a tenners worth of petrol in a ML270 CDI and then soiled his knickers.

He phoned the dealership and they said no sweat, fill the car up with diesel and you'll be fine.

Surprised he admitted it.

 

[Blobcat]

With 'older' non direct injection diesels you can get away with petrol in diesel. As per previous posts quite a few manufacturers used to recommend up to 25% petrol mix in winter months. (Isuzu and Vauxhall to my knowledge).
With high pressure direct injection diesels it is not recommended at all and you could be looking at a 4 figure rebuild. However you have only 5 lts in 60 or an 8% mix so fingers crossed and keeping it topped up with diesel you should be ok.

 

[dava]

Hi gang the worry for me was that you drove it home with the one gal of derv and petrol, it would have been better if you filled it straight up with derv and not run the car. We have up to 10 vehicles (CDI Sprinters) per week do this and the only thing I can say it does, is damage is the high pressure pump, but these are vehicles that have ran on petrol till they stop, so you may be lucky. After a while it may have difficulty starting as it tends to wear the pump prematurly. Merc recomend you change the fuel lines pumps and injectors, but dont go allong with that idea. Modern CDI engine run at extremly high pressures,so tolrances in pumps etc are highly critical. Hope it's ok for you.
Regards
Ray

 

[Wezzel]

A colleague of mine did just this in his diesel Honda. He put a gallon or so of petrol in but then topped it up with diesel and drove it home where he rang the dealer.

The dealer told him that they would have to clean out (or change - I can't remember which) the fuel tank and then replace most of the fuel system components. The bottom line was in the region of £3,500.

He went ahead with the work but claimed the money on his insurance policy.

Incidentally when he telephoned the dealer they knew the cost of the work to the nearest penny without looking it up. It is obviously something they do regularly!

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Did you say 'B0llocks' when you did it?