Petrol in diesel car?

woody33

Help please, about a third of a tank of petrol gas been added to our nearly empty 2004 Octavia diesel, and it's been driven 18 miles or so. It's home again but won't restart for a short trip to top up with diesel. It's a 110hp TDI.
Is there any way I can drain the tank myself? I imagine it has an anti siphon thing in the filler.
It's had some petrol in it before, but the mistake was spotted at the filling station and topping up with diesel worked ok. At the time I put in a little two stroke oil as well to help lubrication.
I'd like to not cause any further damage to the fuel pump, maybe drain fuel from tank level sender under the back seat? I do have one if those electric oil-sucking pumps lying around.
Or, maybe the best bet would be to leave it to the professionals on Monday.

biko

Go buy diesel in a jerrycan using another car?

If you have breakdown insurance (most do) then you can get a mechanic to call out and handle it.

AuldDaysul

Under the rear seat bench, take out the fuel sender, that will give you top access to the tank. The 110bhp doesn't have a lift pump in the sender unit so you'll still have to purge the lines up to injection pump or turn it over for a good while. Your fuel sender is similar to below video.

https://youtu.be/4hnFhg2qAhs

woody33

Thanks, that video looks daunting to me, I have to admit The car made it home, thank God, so maybe breakdown insurance is the way to go. I wonder if pumping the fuel out at the filter in the engine bay would cause extra wear and tear on the pump, how to the pros do it?

AuldDaysul

A pro would empty tank refill with diesel, replace diesel filter and draw diesel up to injection pump. You car doesn't have an in tank lift pump though unlike the later pd engine which does. The ve injection pump on your engine effectively sucks fuel from the tank. If the video looks daunting then it's best to leave it to someone else.

drunkmonkey

Fill the rest up as normal should be ok, or is it the other way round you can't put diesel in a petrol.

AuldDaysul

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Fill the rest up as normal should be ok, or is it the other way round you can't put diesel in a petrol.

Yeah should be ok, the ve engine and injection pump are fairly bulletproof so I wouldn't be worried about damage or anything, get some bit of diesel to the injectors and it will start.

Still it ain't that hard to open the tank from the top and suck out whatever is in there first!

un5byh7sqpd2x0

Did you not learn your lesson the first time?

blueser

woody33 wrote: »

... It's had some petrol in it before, but the mistake was spotted at the filling station and topping up with diesel worked ok. At the time I put in a little two stroke oil as well to help lubrication.

Please don't tell me you did it before as well?

Jimmy Bottlehead

woody33 wrote: »

Help please, about a third of a tank of petrol gas been added to our nearly empty 2004 Octavia diesel, and it's been driven 18 miles or so. It's home again but won't restart for a short trip to top up with diesel. It's a 110hp TDI.
Is there any way I can drain the tank myself? I imagine it has an anti siphon thing in the filler.
It's had some petrol in it before, but the mistake was spotted at the filling station and topping up with diesel worked ok. At the time I put in a little two stroke oil as well to help lubrication.
I'd like to not cause any further damage to the fuel pump, maybe drain fuel from tank level sender under the back seat? I do have one if those electric oil-sucking pumps lying around.
Or, maybe the best bet would be to leave it to the professionals on Monday.

Petrol gas?

You mean petrol????

Toyotafanboi

If it's not starting then draining the tank from the tank wont work as the lines and filter are full of the petrol diesel mix. You need to drain the tank and flush the lines and either drain or change the fuel filter. Better off get fuel rescue or the likes out for the price they charge it isn't too bad.

blueser

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

If it's not starting then draining the tank from the tank wont work as the lines and filter are full of the petrol diesel mix. You need to drain the tank and flush the lines and either drain or change the fuel filter. Better off get fuel rescue or the likes out for the price they charge it isn't too bad.

https://www.fuelrescue.ie/

woody33

Right. let's see...the petrol gas thing I didn't notice, some kind of auto text correction, I assume.
Re lessons learned, don't point a finger at me please. Not naming names or anything but apparently how it went was...Number one grandchild through closed car window "Is it the green nozzle?" The lovely and talented Mrs.W. then nods vigourously. Or so I'm told.
Anyway, fingers crossed, and tomorrow a call to the insurance people and a local auto place.

blueser

woody33 wrote: »

Right. let's see...the petrol gas thing I didn't notice, some kind of auto text correction, I assume.
Re lessons learned, don't point a finger at me please. Not naming names or anything but apparently how it went was...Number one grandchild through closed car window "Is it the green nozzle?" The lovely and talented Mrs.W. then nods vigourously. Or so I'm told.
Anyway, fingers crossed, and tomorrow a call to the insurance people and a local auto place.

Family, eh? Don't you just love 'em?

KB22

blueser wrote: »

https://www.fuelrescue.ie/

blueser I looked up the site you mentioned fuel rescue.ie . The worst example of a site I've seen in a long time. No reflection on you of course.

Toyotafanboi

I've had a few good experiences with fuel rescue through customers and also through a family member. €200 for the callout and €20 for new diesel. I think it's reasonable for what it is compared to say a local mechanic, particularly if you are in a non start situation.

CoBo55

I've saw a local mechanic using one of those sucker pumps up at the fuel filter, maybe you could try that.

CoBo55

CoBo55 wrote: »

I've saw a local mechanic using one of those sucker pumps up at the fuel filter, maybe you could try that.

Vacuum Pump.

I've used one recently to change the oil in my car (vacuumed through dip stick). Do you know anyone that has one? Probably wouldn't get the petrol out of the fuel lines though.

johnayo

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

I've had a few good experiences with fuel rescue through customers and also through a family member. €200 for the callout and €20 for new diesel. I think it's reasonable for what it is compared to say a local mechanic, particularly if you are in a non start situation.

It also solves the problem of disposing of the tank of petrol/diesel mix.

KB22

KB22 wrote: »

blueser I looked up the site you mentioned fuel rescue.ie . The worst example of a site I've seen in a long time. No reflection on you of course.

What exactly do you expect? Video testimonials, a case study from KPMG and a 30 day free trial?

It’s a specialised service provided by insured and qualified technicians/mechanics running Mercedes vans with a serious fit-out (pressure tank for fuel mix, correct pumps, antistatic setup etc) stocked with a load of spare filters etc. Exactly what is needed when someone f’s up on a forecourt and ends up with a major headache on their hands.

You can’t please some people.

blueser

KB22 wrote: »

blueser I looked up the site you mentioned fuel rescue.ie . The worst example of a site I've seen in a long time. No reflection on you of course.

I wouldn't be too worried about the quality of their website. It's the service they provide that would be the bottom line with me, if I ever needed them.

KB22

JayZeus wrote: »

What exactly do you expect? Video testimonials, a case study from KPMG and a 30 day free trial?

It’s a specialised service provided by insured and qualified technicians/mechanics running Mercedes vans with a serious fit-out (pressure tank for fuel mix, correct pumps, antistatic setup etc) stocked with a load of spare filters etc. Exactly what is needed when someone f’s up on a forecourt and ends up with a major headache on their hands.

You can’t please some people.

Read what I said. I did not question the veracity of the firm! It was the badly designed web site I wrote about . P.S. How are your shares doing in this firm in the current climate ?

KB22

KB22 wrote: »

Read what I said. I did not question the veracity of the firm! It was the badly designed web site I wrote about . P.S. How are your shares doing in this firm in the current climate ?

Someone has helpfully suggested a business who could help the OP or someone else ending up needing the sort of service they provide. I've no idea if there are many such providers, but a quick google shows they're not the only ones. It's good to inform others that there are actually companies who can help with this sort of thing. I think that's the point of mentioning them in the first place.

I've no vested interest. Plenty of people on boards have had good experiences with them in the past AFAIR. I think most of the people who need their help just need a phone number and someone who can sort them out without hassle. A website is a pretty insignificant thing to bother anyone really. It's a roadside service after all, not a software subscription their customers are buying.

woody33

Ok, the story so far...Homestart insurance policy will cover the cost of bringing the car to our friendly local garage, who will drain the system and replace the fuel filter. Just waiting for a phone call from the recovery people now.

woody33

woody33 wrote: »

Ok, the story so far...Homestart insurance policy will cover the cost of bringing the car to our friendly local garage, who will drain the system and replace the fuel filter. Just waiting for a phone call from the recovery people now.

Question. What are you going to do to ensure a third time doesnt occur?

BronsonTB

If you have breakdown cover with your Insurance, give them a ring.
Most will have a set fee to sort you out. If you don't ring your local recovery company & see what they charge to do it.
Do not try restarting the car at all. Get it drained & refilled with correct fuel before anything else.

Sorry I see you are doing that now....

FYI - This cost me 60 euro to give a rough idea on cost to have this job done.

TherapyBoy

BronsonTB wrote:

Do not try start the car at all.

It’s too late, the car has already been driven home.

BronsonTB

TherapyBoy wrote: »

It’s too late, the car has already been driven home.

Sorry, I ment do not try restarting the car after it was driven home.
Let them get it drained & refilled & see how it is...

woody33

The recovery bloke got it out of the drive on the starter motor in reverse gear, a bit scary to see to be honest. Anyway, it's at our friendly local garage now. Later: Great, the car is back home, 100 bucks including a new fuel filter and sure enough, he got at the tank from under the back seat. I've just been for a drive, it's going better than ever, not bad for a car that's been as far as the Moon. If you see what I mean.Thanks for the input guys.

TheBoyConor

A 2004 diesel car driven 18 miles on petrol added to an empty tank? Rather than a mechanic I'd say you'd be better off calling the scrap man to collect the car. Fuel pump is probably knackered at this stage.

Miscreant

TheBoyConor wrote: »

A 2004 diesel car driven 18 miles on petrol added to an empty tank? Rather than a mechanic I'd say you'd be better off calling the scrap man to collect the car. Fuel pump is probably knackered at this stage.

You might want to look at the OPs post directly above yours....... Looks like it was sorted and the car is back up and running, no need for a scrap yard here.

Toyotafanboi

TheBoyConor wrote: »

A 2004 diesel car driven 18 miles on petrol added to an empty tank? Rather than a mechanic I'd say you'd be better off calling the scrap man to collect the car. Fuel pump is probably knackered at this stage.

Sure what can OP do now but drive on. Car seems fine, sounds like he got away with it.

ELM327

I'm a bit surprised that just toppiong her up wouldnt fix the issue?
The mk1 diesel octavia had the earlier vw diesel engines which ran for me in a mk4 golf on various fuels and mixes. Even on 20% waste motor oil, 5% petrol and 75% "diesel"

AuldDaysul

Ready now for the return trip from the moon, no scrap yard required. All the petrol did was give it a bit of a clean! Tolerances in the VP37 pump are nothing like a modern HP pump, emission regulations are obviously driving this 'progress' I'll continue to drive me aul daysul as long as it's allowed on the road.