Petrol into a diesel hire car - what to do.

[Golaboots]

I have a colleague visiting from the states who has put 10 litres of Petrol into his Diesel Peugeot 5008 hire car.
He's done 26 miles on the petrol.

What are his options?

[Bluebarge]

Any damage will have been done already as fuel is in the system. Brim it with diesel and run it for a bit, then hand it back, is probably the way to go.

[Bluehawk]

I think General concensus here is to Brim it with correct fuel and hope for the best, as previous poster said, any damage will already be done

[Golaboots]

I did wonder if that might be the best course of action.

It's actually a Pug 3008. He did say that it wasn't easy to get the fuel in, hence only bothering with 10litres.
Do these have a ford style 'correct fuel only' type device fitted? If they do its only 95% effective evidently.

[Gruber]

It's almost impossible to completely design out the adverse effects of stupidity. A 95% success rate it pretty good going.

[cat220]

If he's keen he could syphon the petrol out as it should sit on top of the diesel. Done this many years ago with a brand new e-class and never suffered any problems.

[Monkeylegend]

A bit left wing I know, but he could stop driving it and tell the hire car company.

[AndStilliRise]

....perhaps leave it somewhere where the ECU or something goes wrong with it......

He should be covered by the hire insurance? I guess he doesn't want to pay the excess.

[anothernameitist]

Petrol into diesel isn't as bad as the opposite way.

Yes with modern ECUs it may be worse than in old diesels.

Brim with Diesel and hope for the best

[Calza]

Monkeylegend said:

A bit left wing I know, but he could stop driving it and tell the hire car company.

I'm not sure why but that really made me laugh

[HonestIago]

Monkeylegend said:

A bit left wing I know, but he could stop driving it and tell the hire car company.

I wouldn't call that remotely left wing, as it would entail taking responsibility and making oneself accountable for one's actions!

[Dog Star]

Brim it with diesel. It'll be fine.

I've heard all kinds of bolleaux about "lubricating the fuel pump" and knackering seals, I have never come across this actually occurring and it strikes me as just a massive scam so main dealers can charge six grand for a new fuel system that isn't needed.

[anonymous-user]

I put a quarter of a tank of green in my diesel Hilux. Realised what I was doing, then topped up with the black, and it didn't miss a beat. Absolutely fine and dandy.

[xxChrisxx]

anothernameitist said:

Petrol into diesel isn't as bad as the opposite way.

Yes it is, of the misfuelling scenarios 100% petrol in a common rail diesel is the worst. Diesel acts as the lubricant for the high pressure pumps and injectors, which unleaded does not do.

Diesels are more forgiving to partial misfuels. If he got 26 miles and not ground to a halt, he's not burnt through the petrol yet. So top up fully with diesel and run it through.

Dog Star said:

Brim it with diesel. It'll be fine.
I've heard all kinds of bolleaux about "lubricating the fuel pump" and knackering seals, I have never come across this actually occurring and it strikes me as just a massive scam so main dealers can charge six grand for a new fuel system that isn't needed.

Ever done a full tank misfuel?

Edited by xxChrisxx on Thursday 2nd October 15:15

[graham22]

I'm assuming as it's a hire car, it has to go back full of fuel, perhaps re-fuel every 50-60 miles or so to dilute the mix even more.

[Soov535]

Brim it with Super Diesel.

[Bebee]

It will clean the injectors, tell him send the hire company a bill for cleaning them.

[jonah35]

Be honest and tell the hire company and ask for advice.

If this was my business id be upset with people harming my cars and just trying to paper over it.

[rigga]

anothernameitist said:

Petrol into diesel isn't as bad as the opposite way.

Yes with modern ECUs it may be worse than in old diesels.

Brim with Diesel and hope for the best

Wrong unfortunately, and nothing to do with modern ecu's, but very much to do with high pressure fuel pumps, replaced quite a few that have borked due to having petrol run through them.

[shalmaneser]

Deffos fill with diesel and get on with your life. But do it ASAP!