Diesel in a petrol car
 

Just filled up with V Power at my local when a lady asked me if I could help with her (Basic Citroen C3 courtesy) car.

She told me she couldn't get the nozzle in the filler. Cause was obvious as the cap on the car said "UNLEADED 95 RON" and she was holding the Diesel pump. My cars a diesel was her excuse. So I asked had she managed to get any diesel in, and she said yes look at pump 0.44 litres. I said fill it up and it'll probably be OK. Problem was she wasn't going far so only put 2 gallons in.

So off she went with about 5% diesel in her petrol. My guess is that it will probably be OK (would certainly be no prob in an old banger) but how will a new modern car behave. Any opinions or experience would be useful to help my consience when I should have told her to ring the garage and confess.

Cheers, Diccy.

No problem, Might just smoke a little while the diesel is in the system, but will do no harm

A mate put £5 diesel in petrol van of mine a few years back (S reg Vauxhall Combo 1.4) ran ok for first 10 - 15 miles then running like a pig. After ringing me to ask what could be wrong it came out that he'd put diesel in!!! So you get it sorted I said. He drained the tank and flushed the fuel system through and refilled with petrol and it roan ok for a bit, but graduallly got worse. . . . It had knackered up the cat, when you revved it hard you could see bits of Titanium or whatever it is coming out of the exhaust!

Cost him a new cat and I think it had a new sensor as well.

Bob

Half a litre with a full tank and there'd be no problem at all. 2 gallons and half a litre of diesel may see a small loss in power. It wouldn't like half a litre of diesel mixed with 2 litres of petrol, although it would probably just about run.

I wouldn't worry, don't sound like she did!

If it's a courtesy car who cares :norty:

Just my consience and it is only a courtesy car as Steve points out. Had a C3 in Lanzarote a few years ago and it was not much of a car anyway, bits kept falling off it. Sounds as if she'll get away with it anyway and I shall sleep OK tonight. Thanks for the comments guys.

Cheers, Diccy.

D1CCY,

Good for you giving a Toss, most people nowadays don't.

Regards.

Alan MaC