What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
FIAT Doblo - Diesel van fuelled with petrol instead of petrol - Neil of Three Oaks

Son in law accidently put 1/4 tank of petrol in his diesel van but immediately filled the remaining 3/4 of a tank with diesel. He did not start the engine with petrol only in tank. Has since driven van and has received conflicting advice on what to do: one garage says to have tank and fuel system drained; another independent machanic says it is OK to continue driving but not to over-rev and to add upper cylinder lubricant periodically.

Is it not the diesel fuel pump which is vulnerable to petrol because it does not contain oil lubricant?

Grateful for advice on how best to proceed

FIAT Doblo - Diesel van fuelled with petrol instead of petrol - Collos25

The first garage wants to make lots of money the second is the correct advice.

FIAT Doblo - Diesel van fuelled with petrol instead of petrol - skidpan

2nd garages advice is correct but do not add upper cylinder lubricant to the fuel. Any additive can cause problems with a modern vehicles emmisions systems. All he need to do is keep topping up frequently with diesel for a few weeks to dilute the petrol as fast as possible.

Petrol in a diesel will damage the fuel pump if at too high a concentration, it needs the diesel to lubricate it. Does not need any snake oil, just diesel.

FIAT Doblo - Diesel van fuelled with petrol instead of petrol - gordonbennet

It`ll do no harm to put half a litre of two stroke oil in for the extra lubrication it provides

Agreed, and top the fuel up again when you can squeeze a couple of gallons in.

Gallons...none of that foreign litre jiggery pokery...;)