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-   -   Petrol instead of diesel put in van - advice please (https://www.scoobynet.com/non-scooby-related-4/756053-petrol-instead-of-diesel-put-in-van-advice-please.html)

Account deleted by request 28 March 2009 07:17 PM

Petrol instead of diesel put in van - advice please
 
Hi all,

I leant my van a 98 hilux pickup, 2.4TD to a mate today. It was nearly out of fuel and he put unleaded in by mistake. He realised after 10 litres and phoned RAC, they advised him that as it was a 65 litre tank and there had been no more than 20% put in that it would be ok to fill with diesel and run as normal.

If I had been there I would have preferred it had been drained, he has done about 40 miles since and it seems ok. I can keep topping it up with diesel to keep thinning any remaining unleaded.

Will it be ok or should I go and get the tank drained? Love the old girl and would be devestated if it screwed the engine or similar.

Thanks for any advice

Chop :)

JonMc 28 March 2009 07:35 PM

It will be fine mate, my old nova TD had a bit in te manual that said I should add some unleaded every now and again because something in it would help clean out the carbon deposits. I did it about once a month and never had a problem.

Modern diesel has added detergents in now anyway so it's not necessary, but it won't harm it:thumb:

worley 28 March 2009 07:37 PM

Shouldn't be a problem, I've done similar with BP unleaded - damn BP and their labelling - in a VW diesel (12 litres in a 55 litre tank).

Fuel consumption dropped by 15 percent until the next fill-up.


Nik

David Lock 28 March 2009 07:38 PM

Hmmm.....

And will the RAC cough up for a new fuel pump in a few weeks?? We both know the answer :Whatever_

Some diesel in a petrol is OK but NOT the other way around. Realistically you will probably be OK but I would get it drained and make sure your mate pays!

dl

scubbay 28 March 2009 08:14 PM

Will be fine just keep filling up with diesel. A small amount of engine oil mixed in will also add a little extra lube.

Account deleted by request 28 March 2009 08:15 PM

Thank for quick replies.

David - I agree with your comments, not sure I would have trused RAC. To be fair he is a real good mate and I feel a bit awkward, my gut feeling is to have it drained but knowing me I would not ask him to pay. Wouldn't want there to be any bad feeling, he also spoke to a joint friend who is a mechanic (who got the van for me many years ago) and he said it would be fine. It has never missed a beat and I have not spent a penny in terms of repairs. I would be a little upset if the fuel pump or similar went.

Having done some googling and it seems to suggest that it will be ok without a drain.

What to do :confused:

Chop

rallycol 28 March 2009 08:18 PM

Drive it off boost ,to limit detonation.

David Lock 28 March 2009 09:00 PM


Originally Posted by chopper. (Post 8607267)
Thank for quick replies.

David - I agree with your comments, not sure I would have trused RAC. To be fair he is a real good mate and I feel a bit awkward, my gut feeling is to have it drained but knowing me I would not ask him to pay. Wouldn't want there to be any bad feeling, he also spoke to a joint friend who is a mechanic (who got the van for me many years ago) and he said it would be fine. It has never missed a beat and I have not spent a penny in terms of repairs. I would be a little upset if the fuel pump or similar went.

Having done some googling and it seems to suggest that it will be ok without a drain.

What to do :confused:

Chop


Well the consensus on here seems to be "take a chance" and who am I to argue with the collective wisdom that is SN :D Adding a drop of oil is a good tip.

But you seem to have got away with it so far so what the hell!


Beware of reading too much Google.....

AA Fuel Assist : misfuelling - what to do if you've put petrol in a diesel car - The AA - this is what is called "covering their backs".


david

dpb 28 March 2009 09:04 PM

There supposed to bombproof right, top gear said so

The Zohan 28 March 2009 09:47 PM

If it is an older Diesel, likely not one of the later generation with very high pressure pumps and fuel rails/injectors. Rule of thumb if it is before '98 then usually ok.


Usually what goes in the high pressure diesels is the fuel pump which is big bucks on one of these £ 800.00+ new. It can sh@g other items as well but usually the fuel pump gets it.

Account deleted by request 28 March 2009 10:31 PM


Originally Posted by Paul Habgood (Post 8607423)
If it is an older Diesel, likely not one of the later generation with very high pressure pumps and fuel rails/injectors. Rule of thumb if it is before '98 then usually ok.


Usually what goes in the high pressure diesels is the fuel pump which is big bucks on one of these £ 800.00+ new. It can sh@g other items as well but usually the fuel pump gets it.

I hope a £800 fuel pump doesnt go :eek:

So, do you think I will be ok or not?

Just been out for a spin in her, seems to drive ok.

Chop :)

gpssti4 28 March 2009 10:33 PM


Originally Posted by rallycol (Post 8607274)
Drive it off boost ,to limit detonation.


:Whatever_ I think you'll find that's how diesels work!

dunx 28 March 2009 11:06 PM

I regularly chuck a glug of two stroke oil in my Scooby, lube the fuel pump and smells nice !

Might save your diesel fuel pump too !

HTH

dunx

rossyboy 28 March 2009 11:14 PM

Mate, its a Hilux FFS. Have you not seen the Top Gear episodes where they tried everything to kill one? It'll be fine.

The Zohan 29 March 2009 07:48 AM


Originally Posted by chopper. (Post 8607509)
I hope a £800 fuel pump doesnt go :eek:

So, do you think I will be ok or not?

Just been out for a spin in her, seems to drive ok.

Chop :)

Hi,

Not too familiar with that model/engine, if still running ok after 500 miles then likely to be OK. Keep topping it up with derv.

do not think it matters too much if you thrash it, if a high pressure system then it will run at constant high pressure so will not make much if any difference. the issues are that with a high pressure system the derv lubricates the pump.

Chances are as a workhorse of a vehicle that model Toyota/engine is used all over the world, likely with that engine will need to be reliable and simple so likely to be an older lower pressure unit. It is the more modern and high performance/out put diesels that run the very, very high pressures, and the pumps complex. The high fuel pressure fuel delivery is the main reason they get the higher outputs from them.

Hope that helps a bit.

Account deleted by request 29 March 2009 09:02 AM


Originally Posted by Paul Habgood (Post 8607959)
Hi,

Not too familiar with that model/engine, if still running ok after 500 miles then likely to be OK. Keep topping it up with derv.

do not think it matters too much if you thrash it, if a high pressure system then it will run at constant high pressure so will not make much if any difference. the issues are that with a high pressure system the derv lubricates the pump.

Chances are as a workhorse of a vehicle that model Toyota/engine is used all over the world, likely with that engine will need to be reliable and simple so likely to be an older lower pressure unit. It is the more modern and high performance/out put diesels that run the very, very high pressures, and the pumps complex. The high fuel pressure fuel delivery is the main reason they get the higher outputs from them.

Hope that helps a bit.


Thanks, had a check it is a low pressure unit. Will pop to halfrauds and pick something up to lube the engine.

Chop :)

Account deleted by request 29 March 2009 09:04 AM


Originally Posted by David Lock (Post 8607348)
Well the consensus on here seems to be "take a chance" and who am I to argue with the collective wisdom that is SN :D Adding a drop of oil is a good tip.

But you seem to have got away with it so far so what the hell!


Beware of reading too much Google.....

AA Fuel Assist : misfuelling - what to do if you've put petrol in a diesel car - The AA - this is what is called "covering their backs".


david

That interesting, it was nearer 20% than 10% in mine. Fingers crossed I have been lucky.

A little annoyed as I have never done this and now worried because I'm good enough to lend out to close friends. Might put a stop to that.

Chop :)

MOTORS S GT 29 March 2009 12:44 PM

Years ago it was common practice in the winter on hgv's & construction plant to add petrol to diesel to stop the freezing/waxing problems in extreme temp's, usually about 15% mix.
Its only the seals on modern fuel systems which don't like the diesel in petrol & vice versa.

The Zohan 29 March 2009 01:05 PM


Originally Posted by MOTORS S GT (Post 8608285)
Its only the seals on modern fuel systems which don't like the diesel in petrol & vice versa.


Er no, not strictly true:), the seals are an issue, on a high pressure pump the derv lubes the pump, without the correct lubrication it can pack up. It does not take oil from the engine, just the fuel, dilllute the fuel, or run on petrol and the pump stops working due to lack of lubrication.

Probably not a big issue on old plant kit although may become one with tightened emmision laws/higher output engines.


Also putting diesel in a petrol car usually requres a change of the fuel filter along with destroying the cat - oh and shed loads of black smoke!:) Best to drain and refil with petrol.

pwhittle 30 March 2009 08:52 AM

neighbour ran petrol Shogon (fairly new model) on deisel, drove it to work before realing.

Wrote the car off (financially) - £18k estimate for repair.

Older ones seem to run on anything though.

LG John 30 March 2009 10:17 AM


Originally Posted by rallycol (Post 8607274)
Drive it off boost ,to limit detonation.

Lol, a classic dose of FAIL :D :p

Account deleted by request 30 March 2009 10:56 AM

Thanks for replies.

Decided in the end having taken lots of advice to keep diluting the unleaded by topping up the tank and added a 'glug' of motor oil.

Seems to be driving ok.

Chop :)

The Zohan 30 March 2009 11:07 AM


Originally Posted by pwhittle (Post 8609773)
neighbour ran petrol Shogon (fairly new model) on deisel, drove it to work before realing.

Wrote the car off (financially) - £18k estimate for repair.

Older ones seem to run on anything though.

FECK

assuming you mean 18K not 1.8k

Engine £5,500.00 - new engine ans injection components (est.)
Fuel system and cat £ 2,000.00 (est)
Labour £ 1,200.00 (12 hours est.)
so lets say £ 8,700.00 in total + VAT

Either i am a mile out with my estimates and i thought i was being generous or god knows how much the fairly new Shogun was worth at the time!

Gear Head 30 March 2009 11:28 AM


Originally Posted by rallycol (Post 8607274)
Drive it off boost ,to limit detonation.

Nomination for the 'most stupid post' award! :D

rallycol 31 March 2009 01:18 AM

So you cant get detonation (pre-ignition) problems with a diesel? Stick to reading your Max Power mags :)

LG John 31 March 2009 08:58 AM

Dude, there is no 'ignition'. Diesels self-ignite.

David Lock 31 March 2009 09:15 AM


Originally Posted by Paul Habgood (Post 8609946)
FECK

assuming you mean 18K not 1.8k

Engine £5,500.00 - new engine ans injection components (est.)
Fuel system and cat £ 2,000.00 (est)
Labour £ 1,200.00 (12 hours est.)
so lets say £ 8,700.00 in total + VAT

Either i am a mile out with my estimates and i thought i was being generous or god knows how much the fairly new Shogun was worth at the time!

Paul - I raised my eyebrows at that estimate as well. I think someone is having a Giraffe ;)

I also wondered what damage the diesel would have done. I thought if you put in a small quantity then engine would run but with a bit of extra smoke. If you put a lot of diesel in then engine wouldn't fire. I can see a main dealer saying "replace everything" but I wonder.......

Perhaps price included a valet :D

dl

The Zohan 31 March 2009 09:24 AM


Originally Posted by David Lock (Post 8612039)
Paul - I raised my eyebrows at that estimate as well. I think someone is having a Giraffe ;)

I also wondered what damage the diesel would have done. I thought if you put in a small quantity then engine would run but with a bit of extra smoke. If you put a lot of diesel in then engine wouldn't fire. I can see a main dealer saying "replace everything" but I wonder.......

Perhaps price included a valet :D

dl

I does seem a little excessive, maybe the fuel tank, lines fuel injection system and the cat/full exhaust would need replacing to keep the warranty.

I cannot see how it would affect the engine either.

He didn't drive into a swimming pool full of diesel by mistake? that might well account for it.

The Zohan 31 March 2009 09:27 AM

Re Rallycol's comments

Boys and girls, correct me if i am wrong here - if you compress petrol it will ignite - and at lower compression than diesel - det?!? However, I think it would need to be run on neat or nearly neat petrol to achieve det (during compression).


My pug goes on boost at 1700 revs which is about normal for most diesel cars so would be impossible to drive 'off boost'

LG John 31 March 2009 10:38 AM

In a diesel engine fuel is normally injected right at the end of the stroke hence the high pressure of the fuel systems to get the fuel into the cylinder which is already being compressed hard. Thus when the fuel actually goes in it's basically at the point where you want it to ignite. Obviously firing petrol in isn't ideal but its unlikely to detonate the engine to death in the way one would expect if a scooby started to det it's ass off.


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