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I filled up with the wrong fuel. How to drain fuel from the tank?
Sometimes, a moment of inattention is enough to reach for the wrong filling gun. Such a moment can cost dearly, because refueling a gasoline engine with diesel and vice versa can have disastrous consequences. Filled with the wrong fuel? Check what to do. How to drain fuel from the tank? We give you a hint!
- Why is pouring the wrong fuel so dangerous?
- What to do if you fill up with the wrong fuel?
- If you filled up with the wrong fuel and realized your mistake at the gas station
- If you start the engine after filling with the wrong fuel
- Is pumping the fuel out of the tank enough?
- Filling diesel instead of gasoline or gasoline instead of diesel – which is worse?
It's easy to make a mistake when refueling. They may happen if you use a rented or borrowed car from a friend. They are not uncommon when someone uses different cars on a daily basis and may instinctively reach for the wrong distributor's gun.
If this has never happened to you, it's worth being prepared - what to do if you fill up with the wrong fuel? Then from the beginning...
Why is pouring the wrong fuel so dangerous?
Gasoline and diesel engines are significantly different from each other. They cannot work properly with the wrong fuel. Gasoline poured into the diesel or diesel poured into gasoline usually causes damage to the engine, which is one of the most expensive components in every car. Therefore, it is worth knowing what to do if you have bad fuel.
In petrol cars, filling up with diesel also leads to blocked injectors and contaminated spark plugs. This can also cost you dearly.
What to do if you fill up with the wrong fuel?
You wonder what should you do if you fill up with the wrong fuel? It all depends on at what stage you realize your mistake. This is crucial. After all, potential damage may depend on it!
If you filled up with the wrong fuel and realized your mistake at the gas station
Do not under any circumstances start the engine. In this situation, you can still deal with the problem without damaging important vehicle components. Usually s is enoughreleasing fuel from the tank. Unfortunately, this activity is not easy.
How to pump fuel from the tank? You can't do it on your own. You need equipment available in car repair shops. You will need a channel or lift to access the chassis and drain the incorrect fuel from the tank.
When you realize your mistake, call roadside assistance who will tow the car or tow the car to the workshop. Such a service will be definitely cheaper than repairing the engine when you start the vehicle and take it to the service center yourself.
If you start the engine after filling with the wrong fuel
It sometimes happens that after refueling with the wrong fuel, the driver realizes the mistake only after starting the car and driving a few kilometers. If the offending substance is low, the engine will likely start running erratically. The car may dim and lose power from time to time and consume more fuel.
In case bad fuel in the tank is more, the car will probably stall. Diesel drive units, after refueling with gasoline, initially show no symptoms and then become completely damaged.
Unfortunately, if you start the engine after filling it with the wrong fuel, sooner or later the car will go to a workshop to have a component replaced.
Is pumping the fuel out of the tank enough?
Draining fuel from the tank is necessary, but it is not everything. After a mistake, you also need to check the remaining elements of the fuel system and make sure that the wrong mixture has not had time to spread throughout it. The engine should be thoroughly cleaned and checked for any defects.
At this stage, it is also worth taking care of the drive unit itself. How to care for the engine? We recommend it My Auto Engine Doctor engine regenerator. It is a preparation that increases engine efficiency while reducing fuel consumption.
My Auto Engine Doctor regenerator for diesel and gasoline engines
The preparation also helps reduce friction in the drive unit, and thus extend its service life.
Also read: Engine oil additive – what is it?
Filling diesel instead of gasoline or gasoline instead of diesel – which is worse?
Diesel poured into gasoline? If you pour a little bit of diesel into a gasoline engine, it shouldn't damage the engine. In this case, the car usually loses power and chokes, but after refilling the tank with the appropriate fuel it should function properly. The key is to add gasoline to it as soon as possible and reduce the percentage of diesel fuel in the mixture.
Bigger problems arise in the opposite situation, i.e gasoline poured into the diesel. Such an event may lead to failure of the injection pump, injectors and fuel pump. Gasoline does not have the same lubricating properties as diesel oil, so it causes the above-mentioned elements to seize almost immediately.
Of course, in the case of gasoline engines, flooding diesel does not cause serious damage only if you fill it with a small amount. A larger portion will probably damage the drive unit.
Filling with the wrong fuel can cause serious problems for the engine. It is worth remembering not to start the engine. Unfortunately, it may be necessary to drain the fuel from the tank. How to pump fuel from the tank? Unfortunately, we cannot handle this task on our own and we will need help. We hope that our article will be helpful.
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