engine oil

[boro1986]

What would happen if diesel oil was put in a petrol engine. I ask because the girlfriend trying to help while i was away checked the oil and put diesel oil in. She only put a quarter of a litre will my car be ok. Thanks in advance

[dilligaf]

You may get away with it but it doesn't cost much for an oil change these days just to be on the safe side.

[stanleyman]

If you mean deisel engine lub oil then it won't make any difference as it is usually of a higher spec anyway. Many fleet operators use the same oil for all vehicles. Don't worry, she might have helped your engine in a very, very small way and at least she is capable of looking after the car, full marks for that.

[Littlejohn]

Totally agree with stanleyman (making the same assumption as to what you realy mean). The base oil is pretty much the same but the diesel lube oil will have a higher detergent content, however in the quantity you quote it will have no noticable effect.

[boro1986]

Its the oil you put in the tank, the one you use the dipstick to check

[Littlejohn]

In that case both Stanleyman & I made the correct assumption.

[boro1986]

Thanks for your help guys much appreciated

[Toureman]

You like many people who ask questions on cars have not stated what car you are talking about!

Some car manufacturers are very specific on what specification oil is used in the engine, they will do anything to get out of repairing your car if it is under warranty, if your engine needs replacing under warranty and they find the wrong oil in there they will not pay out!

Change it, it's cheap to do.

[stanleyman]

It'll be fine until your next service. In the very unlikely scenario toureman describes the oil would have to be lab tested to find out what it was and the 250 ml of deisel engine oil in it. The oil will exceed the manufacturers minimum spec anyway. I think toureman has oil shares or is being unrealistic and scaremongering!