Petrol put into Diesel car

el tel

After driving diesels for 14 years my old man has just put petrol into his diesel car. It's a 2003 Seat Toledo TDI. The tank was empty and he put 7 litres of petrol in before realising. He then filled it up with 40 odd litres of diesel to dilute and drove home (about 2 miles). He hasn't been able to drain the tank out himself so far.

I know the score about what running 100% petrol in a diesel does but
on the internet I can't find much about the quantity of diluted petrol can be taken. I've heard that up to 10-15% petrol is tolerable but am not so sure if this is to be relied upon as there's so much contradictory crap on the subject. Can anyone shed any info on this or have any suggestions/experiences?

Thanks.
el tel.

Gurgle

el tel wrote:

I've heard that up to 10-15% petrol is tolerable

It should survive.
7l/47l = 15%
I remember it used to be common enough for people to put in £2 petrol with £20 diesel when I worked in a garage ('95), don't know if modern engines will take it better or worse.
Don't rev too hard and keep an eye on the temperature gauge. Top up with diesel as soon as theres room in the tank.

And don't quote me if it all goes up in smoke and bits of pistons.

maidhc

My mother put 5l worth of petrol into her Avensis D4D. Toyota recommended filling up the tank, and everything should be ok. The Avensis tank holds 62L so the petrol was reasonably well diluted.

Only danger if the petrol isn't diluted enought is that the diesel pump relies on diesel to lubricate itself, petrol is much thinner so you can destroy stuff.

If you really want to drain the tank the easiest way is to use a siphon!

crosstownk

Gurgle wrote:

It should survive.
7l/47l = 15%
I remember it used to be common enough for people to put in £2 petrol with £20 diesel when I worked in a garage ('95), don't know if modern engines will take it better or worse.
Don't rev too hard and keep an eye on the temperature gauge. Top up with diesel as soon as theres room in the tank.

And don't quote me if it all goes up in smoke and bits of pistons.

I'd tend to agree with this. It might also be an idea to change the fuel filter once your satisfied all the petrol is gone. AFAIK a Toledo has a catalytic converter - hopefully the petrol won't damage it - fingers crossed.............

maidhc

Gurgle wrote:

7l/47l = 15%

The toledo has a bigger tank than 47L, probably between 55-60.

el tel

Thanks for the replies guys.

He tried a siphon but couldn't get any fuel out. The plan in the meantime is to keep it topped up with diesel to increase the dilute and have a chat
with a VW/Seat specialist he knows. Hopefully it will work out ok. A new fuel filter will also be in order when the system is finally clear.

FuzzyWuzzyWazza

It should be ok.

A bloke I know was putting his diesel 4x4 through the NCT and he knew it would fail on the emissions, so he put in a few € of petrol and it passed no bother.
So he reckons it dosen't do amy harm at about the cocentrations you might be talking about.

MercMad

It wont do any harm in that quantity and you wont even need to change the fuel filter.

FuzzyWuzzyWazza

FuzzyWuzzyWazza wrote:

It should be ok.

A bloke I know was putting his diesel 4x4 through the NCT and he knew it would fail on the emissions, so he put in a few € of petrol and it passed no bother.
So he reckons it dosen't do amy harm at about the cocentrations you might be talking about.

It must be an older car. Petrol will damage newer diesel engines.