[Closed] I'm a huuuge idiot - Petrol in a Golf TDI

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Its not [i]that[/i] big a deal that way round is it? How much went in?

I did it a few months ago, but realised at the petrol station, AA dropped it off at my local garage and it cost £100 to drain and stuff (not incl fuel costs lost) AA wanted £170 to do the job. It will cost you a bit more, because fuel lines have to be cleared and filter changed etc. Possibly you've done some damage, diesel engines rely on diesel to lubricate the parts, but you won't find that out until they do the job. Fingers crossed. You are in Oxenhope? right? I use that place in Keighley (Riddlesden) called Keighley Diesels I think, for all my Diesel engine stuff. They are very good and in my experience, very honest. I once had an issue with my injection pump(s), which apparently costs upto £1000 to replace, they realised it was just a broken wire sending duff info to the management system, it cost me £150 to get sorted, most of that was labour, stripping down the engine to get at the pump and reassembling (only then did they find the broken wire). They could have fleeced me completely if they wanted.

The car was pretty much empty and I filled up with unleaded!

Engine was on for about 2 mins and then cut out. Didn't realise until the RAC man turned up and the other half found the receipt..........

Still can't believe it, both are vehicles are diesel so no reason to make the mistake.

Did it in a turbo diesel van .I just drained it then put diesel back in and it was ok ,hope you are as lucky

You are in Oxenhope? right?

How did you guess? 😀

I'll bare them in mind if my mate can't sort it. I presume we will know pretty quickly if I've done major damage.

petrol in a diesel is worse than diesel in a petrol

Diesel in a petrol will just not fire.

Petrol in a diesel will pre-detonate. But your cars ECU should have picked up on it instantly and shut down.

and yes, the tank and HP pumps are lubricated by diesel but that is the least of your worries at the moment.

Will probably be fine.

The car was pretty much empty and I filled up with unleaded!

Oh, that might not be so good then, sorry! I've done it before but only a bit in a half full tank, just filled with diesel and it was fine. Then there was the other time..... 😳

I Thought I recognised your username, wasn't sure tho. Yes, they will know pretty quickly if you've done any damage to the system.
The injection pump unit might be damaged, possibly what AndyL alludes to, then that is expensive to replace.

2007 - common rail diesel, which means lots of bits are now broken, probably the same bits that would have broken in a years time anyway tough.

Just see it as predicting the future for car repairs.

I did it in an A4. Got about 500 yds and it conked out in the middle of a junction. Tank drained and refilled, fuel lines flushed and there was no damage. Stop worrying.

We have a petrol and a diesel. The diesel has mis-fueling device http://www.stopdieselmisfuelling.co.uk/ which although it means you need to wear gloves at the petrol station, it means you can't get the wrong fuel in. Well worth it IMHO.

Hope alls ok OP. I'd also stick in a couple of bottles of diesel redex

I'd also stick in a couple of bottles of diesel redex

After the system has been flushed and cleaned, this will be pointless.

(just saved link to the misfueling devise - about to get a diesel for the first time ever and I am sure my wife will manage to misfuel otherwise).

I wouldnt put redex in. Especially not now.

B.A. Nana - yup,

It is common rail so should have a system with a tank pump - like a petrol car does but different and a high pressure pump driven off the engine which is what pressurises the fuel to over 1300bar (not sure what the golf pressure is but my HDI is 1360bar which is 17,000psi!). Most 2nd generation and onwards common rail diesels seem to be about 1800bar.

Both of these pumps are lubricated by diesel and are normally bought in from big names - eg Bosch for the HP pump. The worst case for the pumps is running them dry, petrol is not a good lubricant but better than nothing.

I would put a few pennies away a month on the off-chance somethings life has been shortened. But common rail parts are easy to get used/reconditioned now so don't worry too much. Think of it as refreshing the engine as pumps do get worn and lose performance anyway.

If all cars ran on petrol, (as they should be doing in the first place, not flipping truck and tractor [s]fuel[/s] sludge) then nobody would have this problem.
And your cars wouldn't sound like a skeleton having a wnak in a biscuit tin either.

And your cars wouldn't sound like a skeleton having a wnak in a biscuit tin either.

#whispers in Petes ear# there is no actual bone in a boner 😉

😆

Hi mastiles_fanylion the misfueling device is a very minor hassle but well worthwhile having. Shame that it won't help the OP!

And your cars wouldn't sound like a skeleton having a wnak in a biscuit tin either

It's damn right too for the old Citroen XUD diesel we used to have, but my current diesel is quieter than the majority of petrol cars. Your thinking is a bit outdated. I've had plenty of passengers don't recognise my car is a diesel.

Update- All flushed through and it has started and seems to be running ok.

Not sure what the tell tale signs are that I will have done long term damage?

I've done it too, filed with petrol from almost empty! Drained, refilled etc (by the AA) and its been fine since.

but my current diesel is quieter than the majority of petrol cars. Your thinking is a bit outdated. I've had plenty of passengers don't recognise my car is a diesel.

Someone at work has done this twice to a Landrover TD5 recently, 😳 first time he only put £30 petrol in before realising and topped it up with diesel and it ran fine. second time he completely filled it from empty and the AA came and sucked all the fuel out on the forecourt refilled it with diesel and again it was fine.
None of this flushing it out business 😆

[i]And your cars wouldn't sound like a skeleton having a wnak in a biscuit tin either[/i]

I actually find it extremely easy to put the correct fewwell in my vehicle.
And your description doesn't do justice to the deep rumbly nature of the rattle my Saab produces.. 🙂

Not sure what the tell tale signs are that I will have done long term damage?

i'd flog it and let someone else find out...