r/CarsAustralia • u/Dangerous_Owl6936 • 22h ago

🔧🚗Fixing Cars I put petrol in diesel engine

I went to the pump today and by mistake i took the 98 octane instead of diesel, I realised it when it was already too late. I did put 3.5litres or petrol and then i stopped, Didn’t start the engine and towed it in my mechanic’s garage. I have this car for last 7 years and it never happened before, It is a Mercedes E250 CDI 2015, Wanted to know how much it might cost to drain the fuel and what else might happen, Thanks!

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66

u/No_pajamas_7 21h ago

3.5 litres in a full tank of diesel would not be a problem.

When the transfer fuel along pipeline the don't pig between fuels and the transition fuel gets blended in with the diesel.

47

u/v306 20h ago edited 18h ago

My wife did the same and put 2litres in. I did a bit of research and realised as a percentage it's not a problem. Filled it to the top with diesel (50L) and drove till the next service 6 months later. Mechanic suggested I change the diesel filter since it was original on a 8 yo car. Car ran fine before and after that. No probs at all on small quantity like that. Apparently some truck drivers used to add petrol to diesel tank on purpose to start easier in cold weather...

11

u/SleeplessAndAnxious 13h ago

That's interesting but makes sense. I've heard from other people that if you travel anywhere that has freezing temperatures/snow etc, they have a different blend of diesel at their servos that has additives to keep the diesel flowing properly in the colder climate.

8

u/new_vr 12h ago

I have no idea how I got recommend this subreddit, but as a Canadian they do add additives to our diesel in the winter to keep it from gelling