Petrol in diesel tank = $$$$s

[kaanage]

So should they make the nozzles for 95 and 98 octane bowsers incompatible with regular 92?
And E85 different again?

[gldgti]

one thing i dont get though... surely everyone used to using a petrol pump ISNT used to unhooking the diesel pump from under its metal flap on the bowser that says 'warning diesel' on it. You have to do a different 'action' to actually get it off.... isnt that enough? obviously not I guess.

[wai]

Not all diesel nozzles have the additional catch to release it from the bowser. The Woolworths Caltex diesel ones do have the catch, however the Caltex ones (no Woolworths link) do not (e.g. the Lavington Caltex heading north to Sydney). They are exactly the same as the petrol nozzles. There is a "slight" difference in that the nozzle is removed from an "edge" of the bowser, however not everyone will notice this.

Mis-fueling preventers are there for when you are distracted or have something else on your mind. In the end it is a choice. People can choose to fit one or not. It is much like buying insurance for "peace of mind". The difference here being that for a relatively small cost you are prevented from doing the wrong thing. Of course you can bypass it, however you are unlikely to bypass it by accident, whereas you can accidentally put the wrong fuel in without one.

[maelgwn]

Guys and Gals,

Just get a diesel mis-fuelling device that replaces the fuel cap and prevents a ULP nozzle from entering the tank.

They can be obtained from the RACQ and RAA SA. They cost around $60 for members ($70 for nom-members) plus P&H. Cheap insurance even at the non-members price.

Oh yes. I contacted RACQ and they said that members of other motoring groups around the country with whom they have reciprocal member arrangements can purchase the item and get the same benefit as RACQ members.

Tried the Caparo RightFuel device (same as the RAA sells ...) and it doesn't fit my MK5 golf - sticks out too far to let the flap on the outside close - Dissapointed as their website says it is ok. Going to send it back (unless someone in Adelaide wants it...)

[wai]

Tried the Caparo RightFuel device (same as the RAA sells ...) and it doesn't fit my MK5 golf - sticks out too far to let the flap on the outside close - Dissapointed as their website says it is ok. Going to send it back (unless someone in Adelaide wants it...)

I originally bought a Caparo unit but then bought a Diesel Key unit. It does not protrude as far. The Diesel Key is a bit more expensive.

Now, if anyone is looking at one, the Caparo will fit a Caddy without causing any problems with the flap.

If you want to look at a Diesel Key, talk to them and see if they will send it on approval. I know they did for me.

You can search for Diesel Key to see where to get one.

[jwaller]

Ya dude. Once at a friend's marriage day, my cousin got drunk and did the same. He drove it back as well to the apartment ( 100m away). When he woke up and saw the receipt the next day it was then he realized his blunder. Any way the climax was that i had to unplug the fuel pipe from underneath the car as well as from the engine. Drained every bit of diesel ( used it in my car) and then poured an extra 2 litres mayb just to wash the tank. Time taking but for sure saved my $800.

[bluey]

Its worse when like me you have one petrol and one diesel.

Have to be on your game or disaster will strike.

So far so good for 2 1/2 years LOL.

I consider the risk too high. Easier to make a clean break to diesel - all or nothing.

[Hillbilly]

I consider the risk too high. Easier to make a clean break to diesel - all or nothing.

Not a good idea going diesel in the Polo who's longest trip is about 40ks once a month and usually about 12k once a week to do the shopping. DPF would be stuffed in a short time.

Easier just to let the wife fill it up as she doesn't drive the diesel LOL

[bluey]

Not a good idea going diesel in the Polo who's longest trip is about 40ks once a month and usually about 12k once a week to do the shopping. DPF would be stuffed in a short time.

At this point, I am not clear how rapidly a DPF will clog up using the recommended fuel. All VAG engines with DPF I have looked at specify diesel fuel CN51. Almost no off the pump diesel fuel in Australia is specified to minimum CN51. The original formula BP Ultimate did have a cetane improver and a higher cetane number until about 2010 when BP deleted it. On Transporter's original suggestion, I have been using Morey's Diesel Smoke Killer. The difference is visible out the tailpipe in our short trip non-DPF Polo.

So a big part of the DPF clogging problem I believe is due to using lower cetane diesel than recommended by VAG. The stupid part is that VAG doesn't highlight this problem - presumably because of "Marketing" perceptions. VAG wears the cost of any warranty DPF failures. It would be interesting to see this one go to court one day, which it will when someone gets a big bill for a DPF replacement just outside the warranty period.

I think 12-40km would be enough for the exhaust system to be well warmed up anyway.

[Transporter]

I can say that those who are aware of the DPF in their cars and understand that they have to use the diesel with the highest CN number and even use the fuel additive should get the predicted life from the DPF. Assuming they also use correct engine oil and change it as they should.

Our 2 TDI Tiguans are doing well despite short trips. The 2012 model does 7km in the morning and 7km back in the afternoon with one 20km trip from the city to south and it's enough for the DPF to regenerate. The fuel is BP with the fuel additive at the correct ratio.

As the time goes, we will probably find that the once problematic DPF doesn't cause problems any more. Just like in the old days when the catalytic converters made its way into our cars.

What is also getting more sophisticated is the ECU monitoring much closely the way you drive your car, so when it goes to the court the manufacturers will have very reliable data to use.