Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Please note that it is not permitted to have referral links posted in your signature. Keep these links contained in the appropriate forum. Thank you.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2055940817/signature-rules
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Fuel spill on engine

  • 18-05-2020 12:19pm
    #1
    Poweller37
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 31 ✭


    Just looking for some help with a job I did on my 2016 focus. I replaced the fuel filter. I went to start the car but no joy. Service car warning light. Tried to turn over again and still no joy. Noticed one of the fuel lines disconnected as it wasnt clipped in properly. Fixed that. But there is a fuel spill now on the engine. Car started now no issues there, warning gone and no fuel is leaking as i cleaned up as much of the spill I could get to. Question is, Is it safe to drive even there is still some spill around the engine in places? Any advice would be great.

    Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    biko
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81,220 ✭✭✭✭biko


    It's probably fine, but you can take this opportunity to clean the engine and the bay a bit.


  • #3
    Poweller37
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 31 ✭Poweller37


    Did that as much as i could. Took the Air Filter housing out and dried up around there. Seems like most if it went on the ground under the car. Just a little paranoid the thing will go on fire if enough heat is generated.


  • #4
    Toyotafanboi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,917 ✭✭✭✭Toyotafanboi


    Diesel be grand once it's not down on the DPF or the likes. If you are worried, get a can of brake cleaner and spray down the area.


  • #5
    case_sensitive
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 853 ✭✭✭case_sensitive


    Might be worth mentioning which fuel your car uses.
    Petrol will evaporate quite quickly, with a lovely smell, leaving behind not much.
    Diesel on the other hand will leave a smelly, greasy, oily residue that you'll really want to get rid of.
    Blue paper towel, or kitchen roll to absorb whatever you can.

    Put down something under the car, ideally a drip tray, but a big flat Ikea storage box or even a few old towels will do, to collect the dribble.
    Spray a lot of brake cleaner, or any evaporating solvent, mentholated spirits will do. Oddly, I've seen people sometime use petrol to clean diesel spills.
    Worst that'll happen is that it'll burn off with a bad smell if it's diesel. Petrol needs to be compressed with air to explode, it just burns vigorously otherwise. I left the oil cap loose on my first car, popped off on a long run, lots of oil spit all over the engine bay. I think I burned through 3 cans of brake cleaner and a bin-bag full of paper towel wiping it all down. Engine bay was concourse-ready by the end of it.


Advertisement