Just filled up with petrol that's causing engine problems

[RS1T]

I have a 2003 Honda Civic 1.6, which has been running fine since I bought it in the spring. The fuel light came on and I pulled into a Esso/Tesco petrol station to fill up with 40 quids worth of fuel. I filled it up with unleaded, which is what the receipt says as well so I'm sure it wasn't diesel.

Within 30 seconds of leaving the station the problems began. The engine does not accelerate smoothly anymore, and shakes and pops when you try to. The car is also seriously down on power, and was struggling up hills. The engine light on the clocks turned on, and now alternates between flashing and being a solid light. I can't imagine this being caused by anything else but the fuel; the car was running like a dream for the entire drive before filling up.

What's the best course of action to take? I've been thinking about draining the tank and refilling it myself but I'm unsure how easy to do this is on my car. If anyone has any ideas I'd be appreciative if you shared them.

What's the likelihood of there being permanent engine damage from this? I quite like this car and don't want to have to change or splash out fixing it.

Also, what can I do in regard to Tesco, in terms of a refund or similar?

Thanks for the help PH

[ctdctd]

Does the petrol filler cap smell like diesel?

[4key]

I'd phone the store to see if theyve had any other complaints for a start, just in case of contaminated fuel.

[danp]

got homestart breakdown cover?

[TomTheTyke]

How far did you go on reserve fuel OP? Could be the old chestnut of getting petrol full of dirt from the bottom of the tank?

[RS1T]

I'm afraid I don't have breakdown cover of any kind. I have found this site though http://www.doyourselfjustice.co.uk/contaminated.as... which gives a fair deal of information about what to do, but all the links to tesco claim forms are dead.

[SSBB]

TomTheTyke said:

How far did you go on reserve fuel OP? Could be the old chestnut of getting petrol full of dirt from the bottom of the tank?

What, the bottom of the tank as in where the fuel is always drawn off from? Through the fuel filter

[TomTheTyke]

SSBB said:

What, the bottom of the tank as in where the fuel is always drawn off from? Through the fuel filter

Fair enough, I am aware that cars have fuel filters but I was always told by my dad/grandad not to let the fuel get too low for this reason. Sorry if it's utter rubbish but I'm not a mechanic and it was just a thought.

[james0]

Fuel is sucked from the bottom of the tank, so if the contamination floats it will get sucked in when the tank gets low.
Not so likely I'd have thought with modern injection systems as the fuel is constantly circulated.
As said I would call the store.

Also the fuel filter becoming clogged will also affect the car, its just a lot cheaper than new injectors.

Edited by james0 on Sunday 22 July 14:18

[HustleRussell]

TomTheTyke said:

SSBB said:

What, the bottom of the tank as in where the fuel is always drawn off from? Through the fuel filter

Fair enough, I am aware that cars have fuel filters but I was always told by my dad/grandad not to let the fuel get too low for this reason. Sorry if it's utter rubbish but I'm not a mechanic and it was just a thought.

This is a bit of a relic from the days when fuel tanks were made of steel.

[98elise]

HustleRussell said:

TomTheTyke said:

SSBB said:

What, the bottom of the tank as in where the fuel is always drawn off from? Through the fuel filter

Fair enough, I am aware that cars have fuel filters but I was always told by my dad/grandad not to let the fuel get too low for this reason. Sorry if it's utter rubbish but I'm not a mechanic and it was just a thought.

This is a bit of a relic from the days when fuel tanks were made of steel.

This, its just not an issue these days. Also fuel etc gets sloshed about when driving, so any crap would move about.

[Riley Blue]

ctdctd said:

Does the petrol filler cap smell like diesel?

Have you sniffed it yet? It sounds suspiciously like mis-fuelling to me.

[BFG TERRANO]

From your explanation I also suspect the fuel. If you know the car well enough and it sounds like you do I agree. As previously advised re visit the station. Don't be talked away, hang around speak to others who may have drawn fuel from the same pump.

[Magic919]

Isn't just Esso fuel and a Tesco shop? Don't get too carried away with the Tesco contamination case as it's not their fuel.

[Ki3r]

Magic919 said:

Isn't just Esso fuel and a Tesco shop? Don't get too carried away with the Tesco contamination case as it's not their fuel.

Often yes. Although there are some Tesco fuels/Tesco shops too.

[littleredrooster]

Riley Blue said:

Have you sniffed it yet? It sounds suspiciously like mis-fuelling to me.

Do you really think that a petrol engine would run on almost neat diesel with only a slight power loss? Given that the fuel light was on, there couldn't have been much petrol left to dilute 40-quids' worth of diesel...

Water contamination sounds more likely, but the EML light being on suggests the lambda probe has suffered from whatever it is.