diesel in the petrol tank [HELP!!!]

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by newsman, Nov 14, 2005.

  1. newsman

    newsman Guest

    My wife has accidentally put diesel in the petrol tank of the Volvo (1985
    760 T ) She worked it out when she went to pay and did not start the car.
    What is the best course of action? She only put 25 liters into a 60+ liter
    tank that was practially empty, can the diesel be diluted ? or do I need to
    drain, where's the drain?

    Thanks in advance


    Paul
     
    newsman, Nov 14, 2005
    #1
  2. newsman

    Tim.. Guest

    Typically if you fill it to the brim with petrol, so its 50/50, this is
    still too much diesel. You could get away with about 25%, if the weather is
    not too cold (it wouldnt start cold) and you may well get cronic detonation
    under boost.

    So, sorry, you'll have to drain (at least partially) or rig the fuel pumps
    on, disconnect a line and pump it out.

    Tim..
     
    Tim.., Nov 14, 2005
    #2
  3. newsman

    Marc Onrust Guest

    I once witnessed the result of this, only to see an incredible (and I really
    mean INCREDIBLE) amount of smoke from the back of that specific car. And that
    was only a couple of liters, not even close to 50%.

    Marc
     
    Marc Onrust, Nov 14, 2005
    #3
  4. newsman

    James Sweet Guest


    Siphon out as much as you can and then fill it up with petrol, you
    should be fine then. If you suck on the hose to start the siphon be sure
    you use a *clear* hose so you can see when the fuel starts to flow and
    don't get a mouthfull.
     
    James Sweet, Nov 14, 2005
    #4
  5. newsman

    Ken Pisichko Guest

    I did this with a Voyager mini-van (carburetted) in 2.2l engine (Chrysler). It
    WOULD NOT run worth anything - Idle, OK, but no load. I had it towed to a
    garage and they emptied most of the fuel (they disconnected the line from the
    tank to the carburetor, put a line from a red gas can to the carb, put that red
    can on the roof and started the engine up). The fuel pump (mechanical) emptied
    the tank while the engine was running - that is what they said - and the diesel
    mixed with gas went into a "collection tank". It went to the contaminated
    organic solvent place (WHIMS stuff) and there was an environmental fee
    attached.

    That mistake cost me over $100 Canadian to solve.
     
    Ken Pisichko, Nov 16, 2005
    #5
  6. Ken Pisichko schreef:
    Why didn't you just use the stuff in a diesel car? Here in Belgium, we
    sometimes add some petrol to our diesel (some years when it freezes
    quite early, there isn't any 'winter diesel' available yet), so I
    suppose it doesn't harm as long as you don't mix too much petrol. If
    necessary, don't add all at once in the tank, but split it up. So if you
    have a diesel car or know a diesel car owner, that's a cheaper option.

    Groetjes,

    Maarten
     
    Maarten De Munck, Nov 17, 2005
    #6
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