Fuel mix up?

Quick hypothetical question 'If a gallon of petrol has been accidently poured into a half full tank of derv will it do any harm to to engine?

Fill the tank wiv diesel and keep topping it up.

redhand said:

Fill the tank wiv diesel and keep topping it up.

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I didnt say id done it But thanks any way.

10% won't do any harm.
in cold climates they add petrol to doozel to stop it waxing

I wouldn't even think twice about it if I did this accidentally or otherwise - if it was nearer 50/50 then I would start thinking about adding some engine oil to bring the viscosity back up a bit. It used to be a fairly common to add petrol to diesel in the winter in particular to stop it from waxing and help with cold starts etc…

Thanks to you both,if ever i do slip up and do the above i will know not to worry.Snigger.

In my army days with diesel Leyland Hippos and AEC Matadors we ALWAYS filled the tanks in winter with 3 cans Derv and 1 of Gasoline.

Never yet had one wax up on us.

CharlesY (ex-Rupert RCT)

It's when you put diasil in yer potrel tank you wanna start worrying.

or diesel in yer radiator.

muddythelandy said:

or diesel in yer radiator.

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When I had my garage way back in the 70s, a lady asked me to tow her Mini in to sort it out as her father had done some DIY servicing.


He had drained and refilled the oil and the coolant.


He had filled the radiator to the top with engine oil, and he had filled the ENGINE to the top with antifreeze!

She had started the engine and it had made "funny noises" so she stopped it and sent for me.

She drove it away next day none the worse for the experience, but it was some job getting the oil out of the cooling system. DAZ did it eventually.

What a mess!

CharlesY