benkei Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 So one of the guys at work has put petrol into his diesel Focus he realised shortly after and filled the rest up with diesel and drove it around until it died shortly after. He's had it repaired partially, a 'particular filter' I think he said, but now the turbo is being looked at as he said it made a loud whistling noise, which it never used to. I know you shouldn't mix fuels, but what is it that is different about them which causes damage? And only one can work in the other, right? I take it that that would be diesel in a petrol car? Can someone explain this in more detail as I'd like to know what happens, and what the dmamage would be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wile e coyote Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 Also the high presure pump may go next Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al02uk Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 Petrol won't ignite in a diesel engine as it relies on the spark plug to ignite when the piston reaches the top of the cylinder. Those Ford diesel particulate filters are really expensive, we were quoted over £800 for one fitted today by the dealer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
absz Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 diesel is a oil based fuel so the high pressure pump&injectors are lubricated with the diesel fuel, petrol has no lubrication capabilitys so the high pressure pump in a diesel car suffers first. normally a tank drain and new fuel filter does the trick but long term the injectors and pump will fail due to lack of lubrication even if its run for a short while, the diesel particular filter will also overheat as its not designed to burn off petrol tempertures. the turbo will not be affected the noise can just be a boost pipe leaking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy442 Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 As above really, diesel is an oil which is a lubricant as well as a fuel. Petrol is an excellent degreaser, as you well know if you spill some on your hands. Modern diesels are really complicated so running without lube causes lots of wear, the high pressure pump may go, the injectors may also pack up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benkei Posted February 7, 2012 Author Share Posted February 7, 2012 Oh right, so there's a lot of potential damage here, and expensive it sounds too! No wonder he's selling it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyson Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Petrol pump nozzles are bigger than diesel ones in petrol stations to prevent this from happening How did he manage to get it in to fill it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pig Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Petrol pump nozzles are bigger than diesel ones in petrol stations to prevent this from happening How did he manage to get it in to fill it? Isn't it the other way around? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyson Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Isn't it the other way around? I thought diesel in a petrol just made it smoke like a bugger rather than destroying it that's why the nozzles were that way round? I think we need some confirmation here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyson Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Isn't it the other way around? You are correct sir, but it makes no sense why they would do it this way round Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benkei Posted February 8, 2012 Author Share Posted February 8, 2012 Petrol pump nozzles are bigger than diesel ones in petrol stations to prevent this from happening How did he manage to get it in to fill it? Even more worrying is he's had the car for 5 years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyson Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Even more worrying is he's had the car for 5 years Very expensive mistake to make .. or was he wanting a new car but his missus said no Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wile e coyote Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 try claim on his insurance , i did this when my new transit sucked up water through the breather pipe on the fuel tank, yes the water was deep , needed new fuel pump, injectors and fuel lines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyson Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 try claim on his insurance , i did this when my new transit sucked up water through the breather pipe on the fuel tank, yes the water was deep , needed new fuel pump, injectors and fuel lines Looking at all the things that are going to die they would more than likely completely write it off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Should have gone into the station at the time really and told them, they have recovery people on hand who can deal with it for a small(ish) fee. Apparently they get 2 or 3 a day putting in wrong fuel! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wile e coyote Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 In the old days they would put petrol mix in diesel to stop it freezing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now