Over the course of the past decade, there has been a surge in incidents of people mis-fueling their vehicles. Whether this is due to the sometimes confusing systems at petrol stations, or the times at which we refuel our cars – usually early in the morning or late at night before and after work – when we may not be at our most alert, the frequency of people making this mistake is rising. This is why we’ve compiled a guide to help anyone in this situation, whatever type of mis-fueling mishap they may have made.
First thing’s first
If you find yourself in this situation, the first thing to do is not to panic. Handfuls of people make the same mistake every day, and the issue is totally fixable, given the right procedure. Once you’ve realised your mistake, we strongly advise that you do not switch on the ignition and start the vehicle, whether you drive a diesel or a petrol motor. If you are at a petrol station with a forecourt, the staff will have seen this happen many times, and will – with any luck – be helpful and sympathetic to the incident, putting you at ease. Next, use your phone to research or ask somebody if you are at a petrol station about local companies to provide fuel removal services. Most providers will be able to get to you and your vehicle in under two hours, meaning that – though an inconvenience – this incident does not have to ruin your day and have you running hopelessly late. If you are driving and realise your mistake, stop immediately and park your car in a safe position by the side of the road or in a secure spot, and arrange for the service company to come and collect your car or carry out the procedure here.
Next, use your phone to research or ask somebody if you are at a petrol station about local companies to provide fuel removal services. Most providers will be able to get to you and your vehicle in under two hours, meaning that – though an inconvenience – this incident does not have to ruin your day and have you running hopelessly late. If you are driving and realise your mistake, stop immediately and park your car in a safe position by the side of the road or in a secure spot, and arrange for the service company to come and collect your car or carry out the procedure here.
Once you have arranged for help with the relevant service company, leave your car untouched and await their arrival.
Different types of engine
The protocol for the two different types of mis-fueling are fairly similar, and are as follows:
Petrol in a diesel engine
As mentioned previously, the engine should not be switched on in the instance of filling a diesel motor with petrol. The AA’s recommendations – taking the car manufacturers’ recommendations into account – in this instance are to remove any diesel contaminated with petrol from the tank, replacing it instead with clean fuel prior to the ignition being turned on and the car being started.
Diesel in a petrol engine
Again, in this instance the engine should not be turned on under any circumstances. Luckily, this occurrence is much less common and somewhat easier to avoid since the standard diesel refuelling nozzle is too large to fit the filler neck on modern petrol cars. However, when incorrect fuelling of this type does occur, any petrol contaminated with diesel should – in line with the car manufacturers’ recommendations – be removed from the tank, and replaced with clean, uncontaminated fuel prior to the car’s ignition being switched on and the vehicle being driven.
What will misfuelling a vehicle cost?
Unfortunately, though a repairs service may be able to sort your car out and get it back on the road in an efficient manner, it will come at an unavoidable cost. Not only may you waste a tank of fuel, but you will have to pay for the service on top of this. The price ranges for different types of recovery are as follows:
- For mobile roadside fuel draining, expect to pay between £175 and £300 to your service company. This removal type is quick, cheaper than others and enables you to get back on the road soon. However, any ancillary equipment that has been damaged by the mis-fueling is not fixed and may cause the vehicle to fail to restart.
- For the collection of your car, its recovery to a local dealership forecourt and the draining procedure, you are likely to pay anywhere from £300 to £400. This is beneficial for addressing any deeper issues arising from the mis-fueling process, but does mean that the fuel spends longer in the car, as well as the whole process being more expensive and time-costly.
- For a vehicle that is currently under warranty, you may be tempted to fork out between £2,000 and £10,000 for a full clean and decontamination. This is recommended in the instance that the incorrect fuel has been in the car for some time, as the service will work to replace all the equipment associated with the fuel tank, and its storage and delivery system, eliminating any subsequent issues that may arise the longer it is left.
Will there be lasting damage from misfuelling?
Though difficult to assess at the time of the mis-fueling, there are various elements of the fuel system and motor which may be affected.
- The fuel pump
- Contamination of the fuel tank
- Injectors
- Catalytic converters
- Valve guides and valve seats
Though these problems may arise in the instance of the incorrect fuel being left in the vehicle for a prolonged period of time, the draining and flushing service for motors has come on leaps and bounds, meaning most vehicles can successfully have their mis-fuel mishap put right without any lasting damage. The only incidents of failure to drain arise after numerous failed attempts by desperate drivers to start their engines, a situation known as starter motors, with no known road vehicles that are currently unable to be drained by expert car repairs companies.
At Oaks Services, we are a leading provider of professional, affordable breakdown and recovery services for customers in the South East. We will get you and your car out of situations like mis-fueling in an efficient and friendly manner. For more information, or to arrange for one of our services, get in touch with our friendly team of experts today – we’ll be happy to help with any enquiry.
