I picked up my nearly new Renault Megane 1.5 dCi from a Renault dealer on Friday. As promised he'd filled the tank. I drove it 4 miles before it started juddering badly, cut out and wouldn't re-start. The dealership recovered the car and it turned out they had filled it with petrol not diesel. They've drained the tank & fuel system etc and claim it will be okay: I'm not convinced.
Any advice - I assume that it will have been running hot on a lower viscosity fuel. Piston rings and valve seats could be damaged. I've also heard petrol can degrade the seals used in diesel cars and diesel is often used to lubricate components due to its greater viscosity.
cheers, Chris Rob.
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Sounds like Renault have surpassed themselves on this one!
Engine should be fine, its the Diesel fuel system you need to worry about. Potential damage to the pump and injectors.
For a similar situation, for example, a Mercedes dealer would require tha the entire fuel system be replaced (if a customer did it......).
If Renault won't replace the fuel system then I would suggest getting letter from the dealer outlining what has happened and accepting liability for any fuel system faulure attributable to 'misfueling' for the remainder of the warranty period.
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Thanks Aprilia - sound advice.
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Chris
I would go further; reject it and claim all your money back - and any costs incurred.
If, following a future failure, this turned into an argument between you and the dealer over who was going to foot the mega-bucks bill - then, they've got your car locked in the workshop and you've got some vague assurances.....
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I agree send it back. This car will fail early. Regards Peter
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>accepting liability for any fuel system failure attributable to 'misfueling' for the remainder of the warranty period.
But the trouble with that is dealing with subsequent problems when the warranty expires - who then carries the can?
The only solution is to reject it, and start again with another vehicle.
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Screwloose, Local Yokel, Peter D, Aprilia:
Thanks for the advice all round - I really appreciate getting some sound opinions.
I went back to the dealership this morning and rejected the car. They tried to return it to me with flushed fuel tank and new filters, but when I rejected it they agreed to give me a full refund so rapidly that it was clear that they knew they were a long way out.
I figure they'll put it straight back on the forecourt - I don't want to name and shame them via this site but if anyone is interested in checking whether their nearly-new Renault Megane 1.5 dCi has got a potential fuel problem, drop me a line on chrisrob1970@gmail.com and I'll let you know the which Renault dealership it was and the reg of the car.
cheers, Chris
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Well done on standing your ground, though by the sound of things they were that close to giving in anyway. I'm sad to hear they didn't make the first move by offering you the full refund, as it does seem to me that they tried it on at first.
I do feel sorry for the guy who takes it on not knowing - but I guess anyone buying a S/H diesel takes that risk.
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