OK, the title probably says enough...

Had to make an unexpected trip into town this evening. First time out in the car for a month. Forgot to take my wallet. Realised I was running low on fuel, but reckoned I had enough to get me there and back (10 miles), but ran out on the way home. It was getting dark, and drizzling heavily. Called the wife to bring the can of fuel she bought last weekend for the ride-on. Half an hour later she was back, I refuelled from the can, the car restarted OK, but then stalled. Oh, methinks, the fuel must be taking a while to get through. Tried again a few times, but no joy. Then the penny dropped. Phoned the wife (who by now was nearly home) and asked, "When you put fuel in the can last weekend, did you fill it with diesel?" (She drives a diesel.) Long silence. You've already guessed the answer.

Those clever nozzles that are supposed to stop this from happening don't help much when you're refuelling from a can.

I moved the Panda to a safe place, locked up, and we drove home in silence.

So, what's the damage likely to be, physically to the engine, and financially? I've never been in this position before, so I haven't a clue. Would you use one of those fuel doctor chappies, or what?

Youve put 4.5 litres in a 50 litre tank..

You could just brim fill..and keep topping up..

But the catalyst might not like the derv..

See if you have misfuelling cover...

If not.. you could probably get most of it out yourself

Can't brim it easily, as its immobile and a fair way from the nearest fuel station...

Don't have misfuelling cover, because "it's impossible to fit a diesel nozzle into a petrol Panda's fuel tank, so I don't need it." Famous last words...

Those mobile "fuel doctors" look like the modern-day equivalent of highwaymen. Am wondering whether it might be better / cheaper to get a local garage to rescue it. Problem is, there are no Fiat specialists (including independents) within 20 miles of me. Will the locals know what they're doing?

10 plastic fuel cans from your local parts place and then 10 fills up. Cheaper.

To avoid suspicion, perhaps use 3/4 different stations as it may look 'unusual' otherwise, particularly if you have a face and demeanour ill-suited to innocence.

AB100 said:

particularly if you have a face and demeanour ill-suited to innocence.

Click to expand...

Thanks.. but what about the O.P.



I Think it would be far better to tow it somewhere safe.. sounds like your home address isnt too distant

An hour getting the back seat up and either pump removed.. or just a hose from it into a can.. you KNOW how little is in the tank

(That can go into her Diesel car)

If youve got misfuelling cover.. great

(My relative was always misfuelling.. they keep the £60 tankfull unless you can provide safe can storage.. )

Ring Fiat specialists you've taken car to in past for advice. Believe can drain fuel via the engine. Then case of buying 3 or 4 bottles of Redex (half a bottle per tankful) and put 4 tankfulls of Shell Vpower or Esso 97 (which my Twinairs have been especially partial to). And cross your fingers. Have The AA got a flat fee for one of their misfuel trucks to meet you where the car is?!
typecastboy has recently solved a fuel leak on a recent project, possibly he may know if can drain anything from under the wheelarch. He has also reassembled a fuel pipe under rear seats which needed retaining clip putting back. Nothing you should attempt yourself by the way, but prod someone qualified who just needs to know where to look. Percentage of a 35 litre tank, you might get away with it.

gar074 https://www.theaa.com/breakdown-cover/fuel-assist

I've got breakdown cover through my Nationwide bank account, but it doesn't cover misfuelling (only towing to a garage). Any fuel draining work is chargeable. I'm not sure which breakdown service they use, as I've never had to trouble them before, and the documentation doesn't say. Most breakdown services seem to sub-contract misfuelling cases to the specialist fuel drain firms (i.e. the highwaymen) anyway.

Update: my Nationwide breakdown cover is through Britannia, who I believe just sub-contract to other providers...

Yeah syphon out as much as you can ...and fill the tank ...fingers crossed it will be fine ...

There will be demountable fittings under the bonnet

But then youve still got a line full of diesel..

Uncoupling at the pump will minimise the diesel remaining

Up to you
but I would grudge a @£60 fee.. and delay.. for a job you could do yourself

Either way.. best of luck

And let us know how it goes

I'm parked up at the side of a busy road, so I'm reluctant to attempt a roadside repair, especially as I don't know my way around the fuel system. To syphon it where it is, I'd need to stand in the road, which isn't wise. I'd happily pay someone £60 to do the job, but the fuel drain firms seem to charge at least 4x that.

Cannot tow it yourself?

gar074 pay the AA misfuel fee. If at side of a busy road, what price your life?! If just use breakdown firm, make sure turn up with a flat bed with a winch.

Might be cheaper to say the wife misfuelled it.. and claim on insurance


Where are you based.. East of England ?

I wasnt aware anybody had suggested syphoning.. not sure that is even possible with modern filler necks.

Joking aside.. get the breakdown you DO HAVE to recover it

Either local garage ..or your home address.. might be nearer

Local garage wont be as expensive as specialist pumpout from what youve said

Had a contrary occurrence years ago in Switzerland. Tipo tds - filled up with green hose at the south end of the Saint Gottard tunnel; ten miles later - in the tunnel - blue smoke from exhaust and just eased car into emergency layby; tow truck appeared, driver highy amused (!) frequent occurrence and the petrol station is BP haha. Taken to south end of tunnel at Airolo, Peugeot garage; mechanic starts to disconnect power steering reservoir - fortunately I speak Italian - me "That's the power steering reservoir." - mechanic "Who's doing this job, you or me?" Car full to brim with luggage, wine, oil - all taken out, petrol drained - massive charge to dispose of petrol - refilled with diesel - on our way four hours later and much poorer. Didn't seem to damage diesel system.

If you're doing anything yourself with the tank DISCONNECT THE BATTERY first to eliminate the risk of a spark.

I'm based in the wilds of NE Suffolk - just south of Bungay.

My local(ish) independent, Alfashop in Norwich, reckon it should be OK once the diesel is drained off. They didn't think it would need to have the fuel lines blown through. Apparently you can syphon fuel from these new syphon-proof tanks, with the right kit. There's no point having it recovered into Norwich if it's a straightforward fuel drain job, so I'm now looking into whether a local garage can recover it and do the necessary. If not, I'll have to risk the highwaymen!

What a waste of a morning.

Update: local garages can't recover a 4x4 or do a roadside repair, so City Fuel Services are en route, having relieved me of £174. If that's the full extent of the damage, I'll be very relieved (I guess).

All sorted, by a lovely chap called Mark, of Fuel Doctor, who braved a cloudburst to pump the diesel out. Started first time, and appears to be running smoothly. No need to blow through the fuel lines or take the plugs out (which would have been his next step).

Lesson learned.

Good news

Out of interest how did he get it out ?

Filler tube.. or elsewhere ??

Charlie

Sorry to hear of your woes!

Just occurs to me that you should not be able to get a diesel pump nozzle into your petrol tank. The delivery nozzle should be larger than your tank and should not fit. To prevent exactly this issue. Please tell trading standards so they can resolve this for others!

You can get a petrol nozzle into a diesel tank..... I know this from bitter experience. It cost me an awful lot more as the car had to be left 150 miles from home on a Friday night and recovered on Saturday.... £174 is actually a very decent charge for this job. When you factor in a call out charge, travel and time it also does make you feel a bit better about it.

The golden rule if you mis-fuel is DON'T START THE ENGINE, then its just swapping out the fuel again.

Anyway I'm glad you are running again.