petrol in TDi 130 estate !! Help

[megoodsen]

Hi,

Yes I put £20 worth of petrol into my pretty much empty 2003 passat tdi 130 estate last nite.
I noticed what I had done as I put the nozzle back in the pump.
I haven't started it, but have towed it away and left it, far too displeased to be in the right frame of mind to attend to it (and it was dark and cold).

My questions are:
Does the passat pump fuel when you unlock the car? If so, am I screwed?
Is there a fuel tank drain plug? I couldn't see one with a quick look.
Is the fill up point syphon protected?

What should I do for the best to salvage the situation?

[Lex Luthor]

Well, you could wing-it and fill the tank with diesel and hope.....or have it professionally drained, which will be the best answer. They can dispose of the 6 gallons of petrol easier than you can (legally).
There is no electric pump on a PD so if you have not started the engine your ok.

[Huweth]

There is a lift pump in the tank, but I'm pretty it doesn't come on when you unlock.
There is no drain plug in the tank. You will have to remove the fuel the hard way.
Fold the back seats forward, take out the carpet from the boot. You will see a round plastic section. Under there is the access to the tank. I'm sure you can work out how to get into it...
Once in, you'll have to syphon it all out. Do what you will with the fuel.
Since you now have petrol in there, which easily ignites, you MUST disconnect the battery before you start or you risk explosion.
Once it's all back together, get as much Diesel as you can into it to reduce the concentration of the petrol to as little as possible.
You should be absolutely fine!

P.s. Some older diesels specify in the handbook that you can mix petrol up to 20% in 'emergency situations'. Not a good idea in the TDI, but should reassure you somewhat. Some americans use petrol to help stop their diesel/biodiesel freezing in extreme low temperatures.

[megoodsen]

Thanks Lex and Huweth, put my mind at rest somewhat, and some useful advice.

There was hardly any diesel in it (computer was saying 35miles range left) so with £20 of petrol I'd reckon the resultant mix should be OK for petrol cars no probs?

Got two people with petrol cars who will take some free petrol I'm sure...

[onzarob]

Not to put a downer on it, But petrol can be deadly in a deisel, risk on dentonation!!. I did read that the newer TDI start priming the car even when the car not started, so you were wise not to even start it.

I would get it drained and the system flushed before starting, not that expensive compared to a rebuild.

Rob.

PS On the TDIclub forum the practice of puting petrol (and old engine oil...the yanks get up to all sorts) in is really frowned on when it comes to VAG diesels.

[megoodsen]

[quote=onzarob;18384]
I would get it drained and the system flushed before starting, not that expensive compared to a rebuild.

Rob.


Rob, My plan was to syphon all the petrol out, put a fair bit of diesel in and go for it.
How would/could I flush the system myself?

[onzarob]

I wouldn't do it, you need the system purged, removing the diesel form the pump and injectors. If it was a £500 deisel van than i would say give it a go, But an expensive Audi i would get it done properly. Give a couple of garages a ring i'm sure you'll be suprised at the cost....they would have done a few by now as this is getting more common.

As I said it will cost £1000's to fix a blown engine, £100 max to purge the system.

Rob

[megoodsen]

Thanks Rob.
I'll have a look at emptying all the petrol out myself, then see about getting it purged at a garage.

[gresty]

Been there, done that! Did it in my works van (toyota hi-ace)load of crap)). Put about 15 quids worth in, realised what i had done and then brimmed it with derv. Run like a complete sack of poo for a good few weeks. Just about back to its original bhp of two rabbits and a donkey!!

[snapdragon]

It's Common Rails which suffer with even smallish amounts of petrol.
I still think any more than 10% petrol is too risky.
I'd simply drain the tank and refil with 10 litres of diesel, and leave it to idle and warm up for a while before driving so that the fuel is mixed and any petrol dregs will not be burned when the engine is turning quickly, under load and with advanced injection timing.

Some garages seem to charge a lot for draining, as it is classed as hazardous waste.