Why Diesel in a Petrol Car Can Destroy Your Engine (and How to Stop It)

One of the stressful accidents that one may commit is the process of putting diesel in a petrol car. Perhaps you were in a hurry or were on the phone, or simply lost track of things a bit, and before you realise, the wrong nozzle is stuck in. It is aggravating, but that is not the end of the world. The most important thing is the speed with which you respond after you realise what has occurred. Severe consequences of using diesel in a petrol engine occur when there is no immediate action taken; however, with the correct course of action (and expert assistance), your car can be rescued with minimal to no harm. Wrong Fuel Experts are experts, fast and reliable in diesel recovery.

What Happens When Diesel Enters a Petrol Engine

The petrol and diesel engines work in very different ways. The ignition of the air-fuel mixture in petrol engines is done through spark plugs, whereas in diesel engines, it is done through compression. Diesel fuel is heavier, oilier and does not vaporise as petrol. Therefore, when diesel is introduced in a petrol engine, it coats the parts of the engine like spark plugs and fuel injectors, and this does not allow combustion to take place.

You will probably find the engine misfiring, or jerking, or losing power, should you get it started. You can even get a lot of grey smoke through the exhaust. The engine might eventually stall or not start at all. This is because diesel will interfere with the fine balance of air and fuel on which your petrol engine relies. Running it in such a fashion may result in injector, filter and even your catalyst converter damage.

How Much Damage Can Diesel Cause?

The extent of the damage is solely dependent on the response rate. Then you are lucky because, in case you have not started the car after refuelling, a simple drain and clean of the fuel tank will normally solve all the problems. However, when you have driven the car, you will find that the diesel will have passed through the whole fuel system, which may cause clogging, corrosion, or even the failure of the parts.

The more time the wrong fuel remains in your system the more it costs to repair it. What might have been a £150 job could turn into a four-figure repair if ignored. That’s why time is everything in these situations.

What You Should Do Right Away if Diesel in a Petrol Car Can Destroy Your Engine

The moment you realise you’ve put diesel in your petrol car, stop everything. Turning the key works your fuel pump and forces diesel further into the system. When you find yourself in a petrol station, make the employees aware and ensure you park the car somewhere safe as much as you can.

Wrong Fuel Experts specialise in the on-site drainage and cleaning of the fuel system of your vehicle. It takes their mobile crews roughly an hour to arrive anywhere in the UK, empty the polluted gasoline, rinse the system, and replace your tank with unruined gasoline. They use pumps of professional quality, there is safe disposal of the mixed fuel, and they will have you back on the road quicker than a conventional tow up to the garage service.

After cleaning and refilling your tank, your car might run a little bit unequally, but temporarily because until the right fuel is cleared, then it will run smoothly, but it will soon be fixed. Trying to fix it yourself or using siphon hoses is never recommended not only is it messy, but it’s also dangerous.

Why Like Wrong Fuel Experts Professional Help Matters

Many motorists commit the error of believing that they can drive to a garage or burn the diesel by filling it with petrol. That’s a recipe for disaster. Professional services such as Wrong Fuel Experts are furnished with special equipment that eliminates all remnants of diesel with maximum efficiency to help avoid expensive damage in the long run. They have certified technicians who are on call round the clock.

You are given a quick roady service as opposed to towing or spending money on garage storage. The crew also makes sure that all the polluted fuel is properly disposed of in a safe manner that complies with the environmental standards. Not only is it convenient, but it is also the safest and most cost-effective option when it comes to dealing with the misfuelling.

Long-Term Risks of Ignoring the Issue

Using diesel in your petrol car will soon destroy your spark plugs, injectors and filters. Diesel is not able to evaporate like petrol, and that is why it causes sticky residues within the fuel system. This residue may accumulate and obstruct vital parts and cause engine misfiring, poor performance and even corrosion eventually.

In case diesel gets to the catalytic converter, it may burn itself out and overheat, and this may cost a lot of money to replace it. All this is normally avoided by taking immediate actions to address the issue as soon as it has been misfuelled. After being emptied and cleaned appropriately, your car will perform in the same manner that it used to perform before the error.

How to Avoid Putting Diesel in a Petrol Car Again

The simplest method of ensuring that this mistake does not occur in the future is to take it slowly and make sure before refuelling. The handles of petrol pumps in most UK petrol stations are green and those on diesel pumps are black or yellow, but it is always better to check the labelling on the pump.

Unless you have one car, or you drive a petrol and a diesel car, then pin a reminder label close to your filling cap or dashboard. Another cheaply available misfuel prevention device prevents the use of diesel nozzles in a petrol filler neck, and such a device is not a big expense; it might save you a sizeable bill in the future.

Final Thoughts

Incidentally, filling a petrol car with diesel may be stressful, and it is a solvable problem. It is not to hurry to panic, but only not to start the car immediately and seek the assistance of professionals. Wrong Fuel Experts have 24/7 operations throughout the UK at the disposal of the customer, capable of arriving at the site, empty your tank, and have you on the road again within minutes.

Anyone can cause an error at the pump, but with the right reaction, it is possible to transform a possible catastrophe into a mere setback. The next time you fill up, however, do not forget to take second second to check your nozzle, it could save you hundreds of pounds and a lot of stress.

FAQs

What will be the result of driving a short distance with diesel in my petrol car?

In case you have to drive a short distance, parking once it is safe to do so is always a good idea. Already, diesel will have spread in your system, but most of the damage can still be undone by a professional fuel drain. Do not continue the drive; the further you travel, the more chances you have to damage your injectors and catalytic converter.

Is it possible to DIY repair diesel in a petrol car?

It’s strongly discouraged. The process of siphoning fuel by hand is unsafe, not always effective and can also cause more damage to your car. It is always best to hire a professional misfuel recovery service, such as Wrong Fuel Experts, who are equipped with the correct tools, experience and protective gear to carry out the task correctly.

Would a professional drain be sufficient for my car?

Yes. When the problem is corrected in time and by professional technicians, then the vehicle will have no problem running after the system has been emptied and flushed. In the majority of cases, long-term harm is not done when the contaminated fuel is emptied.