ACCIDENTALLY DIESEL IN PETROL CAR - WE CAN FIX YOUR WRONG FUEL MISTAKE

Accidentally putting diesel in a petrol (gasoline) car is also a common mistake and can lead to problems if not addressed promptly. Diesel and petrol have different properties, and using the wrong fuel can cause engine damage and affect vehicle performance. Here's what you should do if you've put diesel in a petrol car:

Stop Driving Immediately: If you realize you've added the wrong fuel, stop driving the vehicle as soon as it's safe to do so. Running the engine with the wrong fuel can cause further damage.
Don't Start the Engine: Avoid starting the engine after adding the wrong fuel. Starting the engine could circulate the mixed fuel throughout the fuel system and exacerbate the issue.
Contact Roadside Assistance: If you're not able to move the vehicle on your own, contact roadside assistance or a tow truck to safely transport your car to a repair facility.
Drain the Fuel System: The fuel tank and fuel lines will need to be drained to remove the mixed fuel. This should be done by a professional mechanic. They will also need to flush the fuel system to remove any residual diesel.
Inspect for Damage: Once the fuel system has been drained and flushed, the mechanic should inspect the engine and related components for any potential damage that may have occurred due to the wrong fuel.
Refill with Petrol: After the fuel system has been properly cleaned and inspected, refill the tank with the correct petrol fuel.
Test and Monitor: After the repairs, the mechanic should test the vehicle to ensure it's running properly. You should also monitor the vehicle's performance in the days following the incident to ensure there are no lingering issues.

It's important to act quickly if you've added the wrong fuel, as the longer the mixed fuel remains in the system, the higher the chances of causing damage. Additionally, repairs resulting from putting diesel in a petrol car may not be covered by warranties, so it's best to avoid this mistake altogether.

To prevent this kind of mistake in the future, always double-check the fuel pump and fuel type before refueling, and pay attention to the labeling at the fuel station to ensure you're using the correct fuel for your vehicle.

WRONG FUEL IN CAR SYMPTOMS

- Excessive/abnormal smoke (more excessive usual)

- Lack of power (slower than usual acceleration)

- Engine stalling/misfiring

- Struggling to start or not starting at all

- Unusual smell Petrol in Diesel give off distinctively different smells

- The engine management light illuminating

- Engine stopping altogether

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU PUT DIESEL IN A PETROL CAR

If you put diesel in petrol car and start your engine, the diesel will form a coating on your spark plugs and fuel system, which often leads to misfiring. You may also notice that your engine emits smoke, cuts out or even fails to start at all.

Have you put the wrong fuel in your petrol car? Follow our guide to avoid a crisis.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS THAT I PUT DIESEL IN PETROL CAR?

If you have added diesel fuel to a petrol car, you may notice:

Excess smoke coming from the exhaust.
The engine misfiring.
The engine cutting out.
The engine failing to restart.

Put wrong fuel in car and broken down on the roadside

I PUT WRONG FUEL IN HIRED CAR

When using a hire car service, you should take extra care to ensure that you are using the correct fuel type for the hired vehicle. You will be subject to the terms and conditions of their contract – and may be liable to pay for the full cost of repairs if you add the wrong fuel and damage the car.

Put wrong fuel in car - wrong fuel drain service

Exploring Wrong Fuel Repair Costs: What to Expect?

How much does wrong fuel recovery cost?

If you’re a vehicle owner, you may have experienced the sinking feeling that comes with putting the wrong fuel into your tank. Whether it’s adding diesel instead of petrol, unleaded in diesel car or AdBlue in diesel fuel tak, this common mistake can have costly consequences. Luckily, there are professionals out there, who specialize in repairing this type of mishap. So, what can you expect when it comes to wrong fuel repair costs?

The cost of repairing wrong fuel varies depending on several factors. Firstly, the type of vehicle you own plays a significant role. Cars with larger engines or those that require specialized fuel can incur higher repair costs. Additionally, some vehicles have more complex fuel systems, making it more challenging and time-consuming to remove the wrong fuel.

Another factor that influences the cost is how soon you notice the mistake and take action. The longer the wrong fuel stays in your vehicle, the more damage it can cause. So, it’s important to act promptly and not to start the engine if you realize you’ve added the wrong fuel. If the fuel is replaced before any engine damage occurs, the repair costs will likely be minimal.

To give you an idea of the costs involved, a basic wrong fuel drain service can range from £120 to £1000. Remove the AdBlue from the diesel tank can cost £300 to £1500. This service typically involves draining the contaminated fuel from the tank and flushing the fuel system. However, if the wrong fuel has caused significant damage to the engine or other components, the costs can escalate.

In some cases, additional repairs may be needed. This could include replacing fuel filters, fuel injectors, or even the entire fuel pump. Depending on the extent of the damage, these repairs can add several hundred pounds to the overall cost.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DRAIN THE WRONG FUEL FROM CAR?

The wrong fuel recovery process can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. The timescale will depend on the main factor, what is the make and the model and also depend on other factors such as how much of the wrong fuel type has been added - the accessibility of the tank and if the vehicle was driven or not.

In 85% of our cases the wrong fuel drain not take longer than 35 minutes.