Gas in diesel tank! Help!!

[Oliverp]

Hi

My dad has made a bit of a mistake tonight. He was filling up the S320 at a gas station and accidentaly put 18 litres of premium unleaded into the diesel tank

Luckily he noticed and called mercedes who have towed his car to a yard overnight and will take it to a merc service centre in the morning for the fuel to be removed.

Firstly, will this cause a problem? (the engine hasn't been started)

Secondly, I'm worried that some fool might start the engine in the yard or when they get it to the service station - will this ruin the engine??

Thanks in advance!!

[90mbenz]

Originally Posted by Oliverp

Hi

My dad has made a bit of a dumb mistake tonight. He was filling up the S320 at a gas station and accidentaly put 18 litres of premium unleaded into the diesel tank

Luckily he noticed and called mercedes who have towed his car to a yard overnight and will take it to a merc service centre in the morning for the fuel to be removed.

Firstly, will this cause a problem? (the engine hasn't been started)

Secondly, I'm worried that some bozo might start the engine in the yard or when they get it to the service station - will this ruin the engine??

Thanks in advance!!

All they need to do is drain the fuel tank and put in enough diesel to get back to a station. DO NOT let them try to pull everything apart, 'clean' the injectors, replace the seals, or even replace the fuel filter.

Gasoline mixed with diesel fuel, in appropriate quantity, will not damage the system. In fact, in the early 80's, GM recommended mixing gasoline with diesel fuel in their cars up to 20%(!) when outside temps remained below freezing. Ask me how I know.

[dougmcp]

I agree, drain the tank, refill with diesel and drive it. #1 diesel is similar to mixing #2 diesel and gasoline to keep it from gelling. In an emergency, the earlier MB diesels will run on 100% gasoline with a much reduced power output.

[Duke2.6]

If the tank was near empty, and assuming it's something in the range of 70-100 liters capacity, filling it up with diesel will yield no more than about 30 percent gasoline, which probably won't harm anything.

Nevertheless, draining the tank and filling it with diesel will ensure that no damage is done.

Duke

[Oliverp]

Thanks for the replys guys!

This has put my dad's mind at rest.

We've just had a call from Mercedes saying we can pick the car up this afternoon. It was £300 to drain the tank and refill! Plus the towing cost of £200!

What an expensive mistake

[halman2228]

At this a.m.'s exchange rate that would be $574.17USD to drain the fuel tank?!!!