Wrong Fuel in a Diesel Car?
Don’t Worry, We All Make Mistakes
Putting petrol in a diesel vehicle is a common mistake, but it can also be a super-costly mistake if not acted upon quickly and professionally. Putting petrol in a diesel car can be dangerous and may lead to serious operational damage. Avoid starting your vehicle and don’t panic. You can trust our expert team to provide emergency fuel recovery services wherever you are in Melbourne or Geelong. Just give us a call and we will come to your rescue!
If you’ve mistakenly added petrol to a diesel engine, you may notice the following:
Difficulties starting your engine
A large amount of smoke emitting from your exhaust
A loud noise when accelerating
Reduced power and acceleration
Unusual noises such as knocking, pinging or rattling
Strong odor which may be noticeable inside and outside the vehicle
Engine failure, misfire, rough running or stalling
Stay Safe - Know What to Do
Knowing what to do in this situation is vital for both your personal safety and to minimise damage to your vehicle. Due to the differences in the chemical properties of petrol and diesel fuel, as well as the engine design, several components can be damaged. Petrol in a diesel vehicle acts as a solvent, reducing lubrication and can cause critical damage to your car engine, diesel pump and fuel injection system.
Starting your engine circulates the petrol through the system, causing additional contamination to other parts. Petrol is highly flammable; contaminated diesel can explode at any time if you start your engine, causing severe damage. Keep the keys away from the ignition so you don’t accidently prime the fuel pump. If damage occurs to your vehicle through mis fuelling, it is not covered under warranty and insurance policies may not provide cover. You will need a professional service to safely drain the fuel tank and flush out the incorrect fuel from your vehicle’s system to avoid further damage.
