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MPV Section - Forums for Multi Purpose Vehicles: => Ford Galaxy Forum - Mk1 / Mk2 inc. VW Sharan and SEAT Alhambra (1995-2006) => Topic started by: mikebutler on June 20, 2019, 07:51:54 AM

Title: Petrol in should be diesel.
Post by: mikebutler on June 20, 2019, 07:51:54 AM
Hello everyone. Did a really daft thing yesterday n put 7lts of petrol in my diesel mk 2 before I realised. Then put Ã,£38.00 of diesel in. Lousy to start but drove to Liverpool and back with no problems. Have a done any harm please. I'm a bit embarrassed. Never put wrong fuel in before. Thanks guys and gals.
Title: Re: Petrol in should be diesel.
Post by: regw on June 20, 2019, 04:15:45 PM
Ã,£38 At say Ã,£1.34/litre that 28 litres (ish) of diesel and adding 7 litres of petrol
if the tank was empty that would be about 25% ratio
but I doubt it was, so 25% petrol is a worst case scenario

Whatever, Petrol dilutes the lubrication properties of deisel and may damage other components like seals etc
so you want it gone ASAP.
Strictly speaking, you want to drain and refill with deisel and maybe some injector cleaner

If you're down to say a quarter of a tank, you could keep topping it up with deisel to reduce
the petrol diesel ratio and hope for the best, but it's a bit of a gamble.

Personally I'd drain and refill so I could sleep at night.
Title: Re: Petrol in should be diesel.
Post by: Mirez on June 20, 2019, 09:55:31 PM
Wouldn't bother as that's not much in reality, brim the tank with derv and dont let it go down past 3/4s for a while. In reality, the PD engine is unlikely to bat an eyelid at a little petrol so rest easy.
Title: Re: Petrol in should be diesel.
Post by: johnnyroper on June 21, 2019, 06:16:53 AM
Echo what mark said just keep it topped up with derv for a while,the PD will be fine with such a small amount of petrol. Them agricultural lumps ainââ,¬â,,¢t nothing like the modern common rails.
Title: Re: Petrol in should be diesel.
Post by: mikebutler on June 21, 2019, 08:06:04 AM
Than you guys. It seems to be OK at the moment.
Title: Re: Petrol in should be diesel.
Post by: SirDavidAlhambra on June 21, 2019, 10:22:35 AM
Should you keep on diluting it as much as you can with the best wuality BP or Shell petrol
Title: Re: Petrol in should be diesel.
Post by: Mirez on June 21, 2019, 11:49:46 AM
Quote from: SirDavidAlhambra on June 21, 2019, 10:22:35 AM
Should you keep on diluting it as much as you can with the best wuality BP or Shell petrol

That's what got him in this mess in the first place lol :) Yes, keep on diluting it. Regular diesel is fine, I wouldn't use the enhanced ones purely as they have cleaners and chemicals which can also reduce lubrication. The PD engine is solid though with an excellent fuel system, as Johnny says had it been the newer common rail system it would be a different story and the requirement to clean it all out much, much more important.

It's not uncommon for our PD friends in the colder climates to mix a small amount of petrol into the diesel every fill up during the winter periods as it helps with combustion. A once off isn't likely to cause much concern but to be safe, keep on diluting it down by not letting the tank drop below 3/4 for a little while.
Title: Re: Petrol in should be diesel.
Post by: Kristaps Baltais on June 22, 2019, 05:34:15 PM
Never heard of filling gassoline in PD's up north. Need to look into it. In winters we have a terrible  consumption.

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Title: Re: Petrol in should be diesel.
Post by: SirDavidAlhambra on June 23, 2019, 09:22:47 AM
Normal diesel from the petrol station should be fine. Not sure if itââ,¬â,,¢s wise to put petrol in the tank of a diesel vehicle