Even the most careful rider can end up getting the wrong fuel in their car! You may be driving a new car or being in a hurry to get to a destination. By the time you realise which you’ve fed into the wrong car, it’s a case of Mixed Fuel. This results in a blended fuel issue requiring a correct solution.
The good news is that it’s often possible to avoid more complications if you see a doctor right away. The most critical is to not start the engine once the error is found. If you have driven off avoid stopping until it is safe and go to professionals for guidance.
Motorists can get data about wrong fuel recovery and skilled fuel drain help at MR Fuel Fixer. This article clarifies the mixed fuel concept, what the problems are and what you must do if you make this common mistake.
What Is Mixed Fuel?
Mixed fuel typically means the wrong fuel is filled in a vehicle’s fuel tank. For instance, a petrol car may get filled with diesel or a diesel car may be refuelled with petrol.
Both fuels are used in vehicles, but have different characteristics and operate in different engine systems. So if the engine needs to run properly, it is impossible to get it to do so if the wrong one is used.
The following are common mixed fuel situations:
Petrol in a diesel car: Petrol can decrease the lubricating properties of the diesel fuel to critical fuel system parts.
Filling a petrol car with diesel: When filling a petrol car with diesel it doesn’t burn properly and can cause damage to the fuel system and ignition system.
Wrong fuel blends: If fuel is added to the tank, it will mix with the fuel that is already in the tank.
Insufficient or contaminated AdBlue: AdBlue is not a fuel. It can cause significant damage when it enters into a diesel fuel tank and needs special handling.
The severity of the issue is related to the vehicle, quantity of wrong fuel and if the engine has been started.
What Happens When You Put Mixed Fuel in Your Car?
The results depend on the type of fuel that has been placed in the tank. But, for both the petrol and the diesel engine, the correct fuel is required for safe running.
Petrol in a Diesel Engine
One thing that can be especially worrisome is petrol in the diesel car. Many diesel fuel systems use diesel fuel for lubrication purposes. Petrol does not lubricate the moving parts and can actually cause friction in the fuel pump and fuel injectors.
When starting the engine, the contaminated mixture can flow through the system. This exposes the risk of damage and expensive repair.
There are potential signs of warning, such as:
- Unusual engine knocking.
- Failure to maintain control of vehicle during driving.
- Excessive exhaust smoke.
- Starting problems.
- Engine warning lights, stalling.
But it is not recommended to just start the vehicle to check for these symptoms. When in doubt, consult a professional before using mixed fuel.
Using diesel in a petrol engine.
Filling up petrol cars with diesel is also a cause of trouble. Diesel will not ignite like petrol and the engine may not run properly.
You may experience rough running, misfiring, smoke and/or starting problems. In some instances the motor might shut off completely.
If the car seems to be running fine at first, this should not be interpreted as meaning that the fuel is safe to use. Before continuing on your trip, you should evaluate the situation with a professional.
What Should You Do If You Have Mixed Fuel?
If it is discovered that the wrong fuel has been used, do not panic. By taking the appropriate actions you can minimize the chances of further damage.
1. No Starting of the Engine!
When refuelling, if the mistake is detected, leave the engine engine off. Do not start the ignition unnecessarily as some cars may turn on the fuel pump before the engine starts.
If you have made a mistake with the fuel, the RAC’s wrong fuel recovery guide says to keep the engine off.
2. Tell the Petrol Station Staff.
If your car is in the petrol station, tell a petrol station employee. They are able to organize a safe method of transporting the car if you require hiring one. Avoid trying to chase it out of the building.
3. Call a Fuel Recovery Specialist
A professional will be able to look at the situation and provide explanation of what now needs to be done. Tell them what fuel you put in the tank, how much fuel you added and if you started the engine.
The information this provides to the technician assists in choosing the correct recovery method.
4. Set up a Professional Fuel Drain.
Depending on the vehicle and situation, a specialist might have to drain the contaminated fuel and flush the fuel system. Then they can determine if it is needed to be checked prior to restarting the engine.
How Does a Mixed Fuel Drain Service Work?
A mixed fuel drain service is designed to eliminate the wrong fuel without harm and to get the car ready for additional inspections.
While the exact steps depend on the method, the typical method entails the following steps.
- Initial assessment: The technician verifies the details of the vehicle and determines what has happened.
- Fuel removal: appropriate equipment is utilized to remove contaminated fuel from tank.
- System cleaning: If required, the tech washes parts of the fuel system as needed for the vehicle.
- Proper fuel replacement: Any fuel replacement must be done when the system is handled safely.
- Final testing: The technician can now decide whether the car can be restarted or if further diagnostic testing is needed.
Certain vehicles cannot be returned to normal operation after draining only. An extra inspection or repair may be needed if there was a mixture of fuels, such as diesel and petrol.
Can Mixed Fuel Damage Your Engine?
Yes, mixed fuel can cause problems to your vehicle, but the damage will depend on a number of factors.
The fuel type, amount of fuel added and if the engine is running all affect the result. The fuel systems of modern diesel vehicles can sometimes be sensitive to petrol contamination and depend on lubrication for proper operation, which may be at high pressure.
Similarly, fuel systems components can be contaminated in a petrol engine by the diesel being used.
It’s best to take action immediately, don’t think that a little bad fuel won’t hurt anything. Vehicle designs and manufacturer recommendations vary, so online fuel mixing ratios cannot be guaranteed as safe.
How Can You Prevent Mixed Fuel Problems?
There are a few simple things you can do to avoid an expensive and stressful mistake.
- Before fueling, look at the label to identify the fuel.
- Check if the car is a petrol or diesel car.
- Drive extra safely when driving a rented car or another person’s car.
- If you frequently switch between your car and truck, you may want to place a reminder by your fuel cap.
- Do not use colour of a pump handle as sole indicator. Examine the fuel grade and fuel label.
If using fleet vehicles, ensure drivers know the fuel needs of individual vehicles. An extra check before fueling will avoid unnecessary downtime.
Why Contact MR Fuel Fixer for Mixed Fuel Assistance?
If you have a mixed fuel issue, timely help and clear guidance can help make it easier to deal with.
MR Fuel Fixer offers motorists faulty fuel recovery services and mobile fuel drain services throughout the UK. The company also has a website that offers support for vehicles; including cars, vans, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles.
If you’ve accidentally placed petrol in a diesel car or diesel in a petrol car, please chat to the team and let them know of your circumstances and what help is available.
The appropriate fix will rely on the vehicle and circumstances. So, if your engine starts again, fully describe what took place and then follow the technician’s instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What does mixed fuel mean?
Mixed fuel typically refers to the issue of the wrong fuel being put into a vehicle’s fuel tank. Typical examples are putting petrol into a diesel engine, or diesel into a petrol engine. The mixture may have an impact on engine operation and can cause harm to fuel system parts.
2. What should I do if I put petrol in my diesel car?
Never start the engine. If you have already started driving, stop as soon as it is safe. Call a wrong fuel recovery service and tell them the amount of petrol you used.
3. Can I drive with mixed fuel in my tank?
No, do not drive if you find that you’ve used the wrong fuel. If the mixture is allowed to continue, it can circulate the contaminated mixture and make damage more likely.
4. Can a mixed fuel problem be fixed without replacing the engine?
Often the contamination issue can be addressed with proper fuel draining and cleaning. If the vehicle has been driven, and parts are damaged, additional repairs might be required.
5. How long does a mixed fuel drain take?
This will depend on the type of vehicle, the quantity of contaminated fuel and whether extra cleaning is necessary. An expert will be able to give a more accurate quote after inspection.
6. Is petrol in a diesel car worse than diesel in a petrol car?
Fuel oil in a diesel engine can be a serious problem as it can cause fuel system lubrication problems. Running diesel in a petrol car can also result in issues with operation. Both circumstances are not to be overlooked.
7. Can I remove mixed fuel myself?
A trained professional would be safer to use. Fuel is flammable and should be handled, stored and disposed of properly. There may be special equipment needed for modern fuel systems, too.
8. Does MR Fuel Fixer provide mixed fuel recovery across the UK?
MR Fuel Fixer’s website promotes incorrect fuel recovery in the UK. Please check with the team to ensure they’re available and how quickly they will respond to your location.
Get Help With Mixed Fuel Today
If you put the wrong fuel in your car, it can be upsetting, but it can be resolved so that the issue doesn’t get worse. Do not start the engine and consult a professional as soon as possible.
If you are in need of mixed fuel assistance, click here on MR Fuel Fixer where they will tell you more about their wrong fuel recovery services and offer you their help.