What happens if you mistakenly put petrol into a diesel engine or vice versa?
IF you own a car or have a driving license, you surely know that there are generally two main types of fuel, namely petrol and diesel. Both of these fuels are very different and serve as the fuel for two different types of engines.
However, errors in filling fuel are quite common, such as mistakenly filling petrol into a diesel engine vehicle or vice versa.
This mistake can be caused by various factors such as forgetfulness, frequently changing cars, lack of awareness, or any other reason that could be the cause.
In this article, we will explore what happens if you mistakenly fill fuel or oil into a vehicle. Most importantly, we will also look at what can be done to ‘fix’ that mistake.
What are the consequences of the wrongdoing?
The consequences or effects of this error essentially involve damage to engine components. Each petrol or diesel engine operates differently, and petrol and diesel have different properties.
It’s like if you were supposed to add sugar to a drink, but mistakenly added flour, the drink would surely be ‘spoiled’, right?
Diesel in a petrol car
In actuality, it’s quite difficult to include diesel in a petrol car. This is because diesel nozzles mostly do not fit into a petrol car’s fuel inlet. However, if diesel is included, it will damage the internal engine components and fuel system.
Petrol is thinner and diesel is denser. If diesel is introduced into a petrol engine, it will cause blockages in the system since petrol engines are not designed to handle the denser diesel fuel.
Subsequently, the fuel injectors will be blocked, the spark plugs will also be damaged. The engine will stutter, there might be white smoke before the engine dies and cannot be restarted.
Petrol in a diesel car
The likelihood of filling petrol in a diesel vehicle is higher. This is because petrol nozzles are smaller and can easily fit into a diesel tank inlet. Unfortunately, filling petrol into a diesel tank will cause greater damage to the diesel engine.
In a diesel engine, compression ignites the fuel. Therefore, the fuel will enter the internal engine parts, and the fuel also acts as a lubricant.
So, if petrol enters this engine, its evaporation properties can damage the engine components. Fuel injectors that require lubrication will not function properly as well. The worst part is, it’s not easy for us to realize the presence of petrol in a diesel engine.
By the time you realize it, it is likely too late, and the engine is severely damaged.
What can be done if a mistake is made?
Now, let’s also look at what can be done if a mistake is made.
Diesel in a petrol car
If you realize it while filling, don’t worry, if it’s still a small amount, continue filling the tank with petrol. If a little diesel has mixed in, you can still safely drive the petrol car.
The best course of action is to remove all the diesel from the tank and refill it with petrol.
If you filled it up completely, do not start the engine. Immediately contact a tow truck to take your car to a workshop for further action.
Lastly, if you’ve already started the engine, turn it off immediately. Contact a tow truck and take it to a workshop.
If you have driven a long distance, stop and turn off the engine immediately as well. This is the worst-case scenario, and if you realize it, the car’s fuel system needs to be inspected and cleaned. Components like fuel filters and spark plugs may need to be replaced.
Petrol in a diesel car
Handling this situation is almost the same as above. When you realize you have filled petrol, immediately tow the vehicle so the fuel system can be cleaned and refilled with diesel.
If you’ve already started the engine, petrol might have flowed further in. Your diesel engine will need a thorough inspection.
The worst situation is if you have driven the vehicle for some time. Petrol may have entered all areas of the engine and many components will be damaged. Immediately stop the vehicle, turn off the engine, and contact a tow truck to take the vehicle to a workshop.
Tips to prevent filling errors
Some tips to prevent the above situations from happening are:
- Use fuel stickers – These act as quick warnings so you do not mistakenly fill the wrong fuel.
- Double-check when entering a gas station – Always be aware of the station and pump you are entering.
- Get out of the vehicle when refueling – It’s better to step out of the vehicle than to let the attendant do everything for you. Also, make sure they are filling the correct fuel into your vehicle.
