Putting petrol into running car ?

Melion

I've never even thought of this before but I'm in a bit of a predicament. What damage could I do if I pulled up to the pump and put 6/7 ltrs of petrol into a car with the engine running?

jhegarty

Is it a petrol car ?

Yawlboy

They used to do it in F1 all the time - worst that can happen is you become engulfed in a huge fireball

Kenny Logins

You'll bend time and cease to exist.

pajo1981

The worst that could happen is you set fire to yourself - go for it!

andyseadog

i often still start to pump with the turbo timer still counting down

why would the risk be greater with me filling my car still running than me parking up with my engine on next to a pump where a car is being filled?

genuine question

bbam

I'd say risk is the whole thing. Particularly in hot weather when more vapour is being given off the petrol. I watched a sky documentary on this from the states and it seem most fires were caused by static than from the engine running.

It's hardly worth the risk though, have a look on YouTube, there are some mighty impressive examples.

eirator

OP can't you get someone to fill up a can for you?

Matt Simis

OSI wrote: »

I managed to do this just last weekend.

Pulled up to pump, was chatting to my GF before getting out, then went to make sure radio was still on so she could listen to it while I was filling up, jumped out, filled it to the brim and when I get back in, went to turn the engine on and noticed the revs were already sitting at idle. Was surprised the car let me open the fuel flap while it was running, but it did, and there was no harm.

Good case for a louder exhaust for safety reasons..

07Lapierre

You could be left standing on the forecourt holding the hose, while some scumbag jumps into your car and drives away??

testicle

OSI wrote: »

I managed to do this just last weekend.

Pulled up to pump, was chatting to my GF before getting out, then went to make sure radio was still on so she could listen to it while I was filling up, jumped out, filled it to the brim and when I get back in, went to turn the engine on and noticed the revs were already sitting at idle. Was surprised the car let me open the fuel flap while it was running, but it did, and there was no harm.

I note paying wasn't part of the procedure!

Senna

I'm guessing the OP meant he put petrol into a diesel car as the engine was running. Otherwise why would he say he's in a "predicament", unless he wrote the message as the 6/7 litres where actually going in.

eirator

Senna wrote: »

I'm guessing the OP meant he put petrol into a diesel car as the engine was running. Otherwise why would he say he's in a "predicament", unless he wrote the message as the 6/7 litres where actually going in.

I was thinking he had a flat battery or charging or starter motor problem and couldn't switch the engine off because he couldn't restart it again?

Matt Simis

OSI wrote: »

Would want to be one seriously loud exhaust to make enough noise at idle to over power the multiple noises on a busy forecourt.

Sounds like a target has been set!

ninty9er

It would be fairly common practice in the motor trade from my experience of test-drives in cars low on fuel.

tossy

OSI wrote: »

Would want to be one seriously loud exhaust to make enough noise at idle to over power the multiple noises on a busy forecourt.

You just need the right engine

Melion

Eirator is correct. Problem with the battery, once it starts I don't want to turn it off

seamus

The concern really is sources of ignition. While the engine is running, the spark plugs are firing. There's a chance that the vapour from the petrol you're pumping could ignite and that will make you have a bad day.

The fact that most cars have engine at the front and tank at the back means that the chances of this are probably close to non-existent.

F1 is a whole other beast, there's little distance between the tank and the engine (and the exhaust) and the fuel is under high pressure, so the risk is much higher.