Fuel Petrol into CTDI!

wisha · 26th October 2006, 11:38

Okay I've gone and done it! Last night after a long day at work put petrol into a near empty tank at the local BP station. Drove off for a mile, car starts misfiring, a little blue smoke out the back, call the RAC and the car is now at the local Honda stealership. Luckily its a company car so cost of fixing it will be covered by my very nice employers. Doesn't stop feeling like a complete muppet though......

So opinion wanted on how much damage may have been done and if its a relatively easy thing to fix...empty tank, drain lines, change filters etc.

Bungle · 26th October 2006, 11:45

I believe it can be done by simply flushing the wrong fuel out and letting the engine run on clean fuel for a while. But the dealers will replace lots of stuff - because they can.

Damage can be done to diesels running on petrol due to lubrication, but I am not that technical. There could be damage to the piston sleves and linings, and possibly the fuel pump. The filter will definately need replacing.

Hope it gets fixed soon! I reckon they should have different shaped nozzles for different fuels. I know one is bigger than the other, but that does not prevent this from happening!

misterpro · 26th October 2006, 12:01

Over the past few years I drove like 15'ish different cars for my work, both diesel & petrol.

It's a good tip imho to check the inside of the fuel filler cap BEFORE filling up.

All modern cars have a sticker or marking telling you what to fill up with.

And I do hope they don't (have to/want to) replace to much on your car.

Velocity · 26th October 2006, 12:34

Hi Wisha, Some years ago while serving in the R.A.F. one of my mates managed to stuff up a 12,000lb fork lift by putting diesel in the hydraulic tank

wisha · 26th October 2006, 13:33

Thnaks for the comments.....still waiting to hear from dealer/company car scheme administrators. One thing is certain...I LOVE my car and the replacement car I have now (Pug 307 1.6) only confimrs that.....

Copycat · 26th October 2006, 13:42

Someone else here had done that. Or was that the other way around? Might be worth searching.

wisha · 26th October 2006, 13:52

Apparently diesel into petrol engine is much worse for various reasons????

Nice · 26th October 2006, 15:12

ERRR.....hate to say this but ( and entirely in my own words )

Referring to relevant shop manual drain the fuel tank completely
Remove the fuel sender module from the fuel tank
Flush the fuel tank and sender module with clean diesel fuel
Disconnect low pressure supply and return lines from the high pressure pump, flush fuel lines completely with clean diesel fuel
Replace the high pressure fuel pump, during this operation check carefully the pump drive system (Timing belt or chain) for any damage that may have been caused if the pump has seized.
Empty and flush common rail with clean diesel fuel.
Replace all fuel injectors and seals.
Replace all high pressure lines
Replace fuel heater (If applicable)
Clean and flush fuel strainer assembly and fit new fuel filter element.
Fill fuel tank with clean diesel fuel
.

Knat · 26th October 2006, 15:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nice

ERRR.....hate to say this but ( and entirely in my own words )

Referring to relevant shop manual drain the fuel tank completely
Remove the fuel sender module from the fuel tank
Flush the fuel tank and sender module with clean diesel fuel
Disconnect low pressure supply and return lines from the high pressure pump, flush fuel lines completely with clean diesel fuel
Replace the high pressure fuel pump, during this operation check carefully the pump drive system (Timing belt or chain) for any damage that may have been caused if the pump has seized.
Empty and flush common rail with clean diesel fuel.
Replace all fuel injectors and seals.
Replace all high pressure lines
Replace fuel heater (If applicable)
Clean and flush fuel strainer assembly and fit new fuel filter element.
Fill fuel tank with clean diesel fuel
.

13. Profit

Nick7 · 26th October 2006, 15:17

As Nice said.... it could be costly

Bungle · 26th October 2006, 15:36

Most dealers and garages will prefer doing the whole thing 'just in case', for many reasons.

You may get away with a system flush and just replacing the essential parts. You might be fine, or you might find you have done damage and need more replacing.

New car, company car, get the whole lot done. Older car, private, might be worth trying your luck with just draining it and filling it with the right stuff.

wisha · 26th October 2006, 16:11

Should get some news tomorrow now they say......things is I have no experience of the current dealer.....usually use dealer in London. Either just want the car back.......

misterpro · 26th October 2006, 16:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by wisha

Apparently diesel into petrol engine is much worse for various reasons????

It's thicker and clogs up everything so they basically have to take it all apart afaik.

Bigger Brother · 26th October 2006, 22:12

The fuel system on a modern diesel car is far more complex than it's petrol counterpart. Therefore, fixing a case of diesel in petrol is much easier than petrol in diesel. However, it takes a very special person to put diesel in a petrol car as the nozzle is bigger but it's easy to do if you have put diesel in a fuel can designed for petrol.

The procedure for fixing a case of petrol in diesel depends very much on how far the car has been driven and the concentration of the petrol in the tank. Dealers should judge each car independantly. The most important thing is to be honest to the dealer about how much fuel you put in and how far you've driven the car since then.

Pottsy · 26th October 2006, 22:19

Wisha, bet you're glad you're not paying for that list! Would be interesting to know how much it all costs at a main dealer though...

pcr · 26th October 2006, 23:54

Agee with Bungle. My daughter did this and was quoted £300 to fix. We drained it, filled it up, and away she went, after several attempts to start and some spluttering.

wisha · 27th October 2006, 17:06

I have requested a copy of the invoice the dealer send to the company running our scheme....I sense they will be charging/changing as much as they can.....in the end though if it gets the car running as was then I can't really complain. Driving a new Jetta 1.9 tdi now....oh my god...what a tractor...and i remember when i used to think that engine "wasn't bad for a diesel"......2.2 owners are really spoilt!

Maldax · 28th October 2006, 14:58

It's harder to put diesel in a petrol these days as the holes are smaller

Civic Centre · 29th October 2006, 10:58

Hi, had to call out the AA for my car (flat battery), got talking to the AA guy and he had just left someone at a Honda dealership who had put petrol in his 2.2 CTDI Civic.

He also said that the dealerships strip the fuel pump out as the specification of it uses the diesel passing through it as some sort of lubricant, and the contamination of the petrol screws it up????? (Not sure if this is right)!!

Any way I asked the AA guy if this is something he had seen before and he said he had had two other Civics (an 06 and a 65 reg).

He had found out how much the repair had cost from a main dealer which he said was in range of £4000. Ouch!!

Wisha - hope this isn't the case, but I supoose being a company car it wont be too much of a problem.

Civic Centre

wisha · 29th October 2006, 12:07

Cheers CC. The RAC guy who picked me up said the whole cost issue is one big rip-off with everyone looking to over-estimate the true extent of damage.....still though £4000 is not good.......

26th October 2006, 11:38	#1 (permalink)
wisha Valve Cap Join Date: 4th July 2006 Location: London Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Petrol into CTDI! Okay I've gone and done it! Last night after a long day at work put petrol into a near empty tank at the local BP station. Drove off for a mile, car starts misfiring, a little blue smoke out the back, call the RAC and the car is now at the local Honda stealership. Luckily its a company car so cost of fixing it will be covered by my very nice employers. Doesn't stop feeling like a complete muppet though...... So opinion wanted on how much damage may have been done and if its a relatively easy thing to fix...empty tank, drain lines, change filters etc.

26th October 2006, 15:12	#8 (permalink)
Nice Wheelnut Join Date: 4th October 2006 Posts: 65 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	ERRR.....hate to say this but ( and entirely in my own words ) Referring to relevant shop manual drain the fuel tank completely Remove the fuel sender module from the fuel tank Flush the fuel tank and sender module with clean diesel fuel Disconnect low pressure supply and return lines from the high pressure pump, flush fuel lines completely with clean diesel fuel Replace the high pressure fuel pump, during this operation check carefully the pump drive system (Timing belt or chain) for any damage that may have been caused if the pump has seized. Empty and flush common rail with clean diesel fuel. Replace all fuel injectors and seals. Replace all high pressure lines Replace fuel heater (If applicable) Clean and flush fuel strainer assembly and fit new fuel filter element. Fill fuel tank with clean diesel fuel .

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This thread is about: Petrol into CTDI!, it's in Engines and Transmission at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; Okay I've gone and done it! Last night after a long day at work put petrol into a near empty tank at the local BP ...

26th October 2006, 11:45	#2 (permalink)
Bungle Rocketship door handle Join Date: 3rd July 2006 Location: SE London/Kent Posts: 1,217 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I believe it can be done by simply flushing the wrong fuel out and letting the engine run on clean fuel for a while. But the dealers will replace lots of stuff - because they can. Damage can be done to diesels running on petrol due to lubrication, but I am not that technical. There could be damage to the piston sleves and linings, and possibly the fuel pump. The filter will definately need replacing. Hope it gets fixed soon! I reckon they should have different shaped nozzles for different fuels. I know one is bigger than the other, but that does not prevent this from happening!

26th October 2006, 12:01	#3 (permalink)
misterpro Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 25th September 2006 Location: Flanders, Belgium Posts: 118 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Over the past few years I drove like 15'ish different cars for my work, both diesel & petrol. It's a good tip imho to check the inside of the fuel filler cap BEFORE filling up. All modern cars have a sticker or marking telling you what to fill up with. And I do hope they don't (have to/want to) replace to much on your car.

26th October 2006, 12:34	#4 (permalink)
Velocity Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 21st August 2006 Location: Rotherham Posts: 343 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Wisha, Some years ago while serving in the R.A.F. one of my mates managed to stuff up a 12,000lb fork lift by putting diesel in the hydraulic tank

26th October 2006, 13:33	#5 (permalink)
wisha Valve Cap Join Date: 4th July 2006 Location: London Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thnaks for the comments.....still waiting to hear from dealer/company car scheme administrators. One thing is certain...I LOVE my car and the replacement car I have now (Pug 307 1.6) only confimrs that.....

26th October 2006, 13:42	#6 (permalink)
Copycat Galaxy class starship Rocketship door handle Join Date: 5th May 2006 Location: Helsinki, Finland Posts: 1,050 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Someone else here had done that. Or was that the other way around? Might be worth searching.

26th October 2006, 13:52	#7 (permalink)
wisha Valve Cap Join Date: 4th July 2006 Location: London Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Apparently diesel into petrol engine is much worse for various reasons????

26th October 2006, 15:17	#10 (permalink)
Nick7 Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 10th August 2006 Location: Croatia Posts: 449 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	As Nice said.... it could be costly

26th October 2006, 15:36	#11 (permalink)
Bungle Rocketship door handle Join Date: 3rd July 2006 Location: SE London/Kent Posts: 1,217 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Most dealers and garages will prefer doing the whole thing 'just in case', for many reasons. You may get away with a system flush and just replacing the essential parts. You might be fine, or you might find you have done damage and need more replacing. New car, company car, get the whole lot done. Older car, private, might be worth trying your luck with just draining it and filling it with the right stuff.

26th October 2006, 16:11	#12 (permalink)
wisha Valve Cap Join Date: 4th July 2006 Location: London Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Should get some news tomorrow now they say......things is I have no experience of the current dealer.....usually use dealer in London. Either just want the car back.......

26th October 2006, 22:12	#14 (permalink)
Bigger Brother Valve Cap Join Date: 21st June 2006 Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The fuel system on a modern diesel car is far more complex than it's petrol counterpart. Therefore, fixing a case of diesel in petrol is much easier than petrol in diesel. However, it takes a very special person to put diesel in a petrol car as the nozzle is bigger but it's easy to do if you have put diesel in a fuel can designed for petrol. The procedure for fixing a case of petrol in diesel depends very much on how far the car has been driven and the concentration of the petrol in the tank. Dealers should judge each car independantly. The most important thing is to be honest to the dealer about how much fuel you put in and how far you've driven the car since then.

26th October 2006, 22:19	#15 (permalink)
Pottsy Administrator Civinfo guru Join Date: 10th April 2006 Location: Leics Posts: 4,985 Thanks: 8 Thanked 91 Times in 49 Posts	Wisha, bet you're glad you're not paying for that list! Would be interesting to know how much it all costs at a main dealer though...

26th October 2006, 23:54	#16 (permalink)
pcr Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 5th September 2006 Location: Shropshire Posts: 847 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Agee with Bungle. My daughter did this and was quoted £300 to fix. We drained it, filled it up, and away she went, after several attempts to start and some spluttering.

27th October 2006, 17:06	#17 (permalink)
wisha Valve Cap Join Date: 4th July 2006 Location: London Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have requested a copy of the invoice the dealer send to the company running our scheme....I sense they will be charging/changing as much as they can.....in the end though if it gets the car running as was then I can't really complain. Driving a new Jetta 1.9 tdi now....oh my god...what a tractor...and i remember when i used to think that engine "wasn't bad for a diesel"......2.2 owners are really spoilt!

28th October 2006, 14:58	#18 (permalink)
Maldax Supporter Rocketship door handle Join Date: 12th June 2006 Location: Reading, Berks Posts: 1,050 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	It's harder to put diesel in a petrol these days as the holes are smaller

29th October 2006, 10:58	#19 (permalink)
Civic Centre Valve Cap Join Date: 21st October 2006 Location: Aylesbury, Bucks Posts: 20 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi, had to call out the AA for my car (flat battery), got talking to the AA guy and he had just left someone at a Honda dealership who had put petrol in his 2.2 CTDI Civic. He also said that the dealerships strip the fuel pump out as the specification of it uses the diesel passing through it as some sort of lubricant, and the contamination of the petrol screws it up????? (Not sure if this is right)!! Any way I asked the AA guy if this is something he had seen before and he said he had had two other Civics (an 06 and a 65 reg). He had found out how much the repair had cost from a main dealer which he said was in range of £4000. Ouch!! Wisha - hope this isn't the case, but I supoose being a company car it wont be too much of a problem. Civic Centre

29th October 2006, 12:07	#20 (permalink)
wisha Valve Cap Join Date: 4th July 2006 Location: London Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Cheers CC. The RAC guy who picked me up said the whole cost issue is one big rip-off with everyone looking to over-estimate the true extent of damage.....still though £4000 is not good.......