petrol in diesel engine

[whatnext]

what should one do if one puts some petrol in a diesel engine?

[richard1982]

depends on how much? 2litres then filled the tank with 30+ then you'll be fine, say 10+ litres of petrol and 30+diesel and drove it back not so good, Also depends on car type and engine?
If the car has 60 litre tank and it was near empty i.e. the light just come on, You filled it at the pump with 5-10 litres of fuel and drove off i would not move the car and get the breakdown service out to drain the tank!
If the car has 60 litre tank and it was near empty i.e. the light just come on and you filled it up with petrol i.e 40 litres then the damage is done driving it home with regards the injectors and pump's
Remember a 1 to 15 ratio of petrol to derv is fine as in cold cold conditions it will stop derv freezing anything more and there is chance of damage

[Agent_Smith]

get the butler to call the men from the garage!

[mr rusty]

It depends on what sort of engine you have. If you have the old style low pressure indirect injection type, usually has a mechanical pump driven by the cambelt, no seperate in-tank pump, and mechanical injectors, then you'll be alright as they'll run on anything-the petrol will just act as an injector cleaner.

If you have the modern type high pressure direct injection engine- usually identified by electronically controlled injectors, lots of other electronic gizmos and plastic covers under the bonnet and HDi or similar on the boot, then do NOT drive it, get the fuel system cleaned out- it'll cost but not as much as having the system replaced will.....modern diesels do not take kindly to even a small amount of petrol in the system and with high pressure pump systems costing usually over a grand to replace you really don't want to take the chance!

Unless of course you are going to get rid of it in the next 6 months or so........

[Toureman]

One should give one's self a kick up one's arse !

[pianoman81]

not really an answer, just to say agent-smiths reply is ace. bravo.