BHPian __.gxr.__ recently shared this with other enthusiasts: My dad drives a 2016 Tata Zest Revotron turbo-petrol, and the car has covered around 120,000 km. Today, while refuelling, the pump attendant filled in diesel by mistake. The car’s Distance to Empty (DTE) range was low prior to this incident. Around 24 liters of diesel must have been filled. Post refuelling, the car ran hardly 1 km when it jerked violently and stalled. My dad attempted to crank the engine again; it started up but stalled soon after. This happened twice, as per what he recounted. My father is not an automobile person and wasn’t sure what to do at the moment. After a few failed cranks, he went to the fuel pump, suspecting wrong fuel, where the logs revealed that diesel had been filled by mistake. They arranged for a guy who removed the diesel from the car via a fuel line outlet in the front (I’m not quite sure how they did this). Thereafter, 25L of petrol was filled, but the car refused to start and had to be towed to the TATA workshop nearby. I am aware that filling diesel in a petrol car can be catastrophic. The fuel pump has owned up to their mistake and offered to reimburse repair costs. We are really happy with the car and want to keep it for at least five more years. However, considering the age and mileage of the car, I am really worried about the damage that might have occurred. As per what I know, the spark plugs have to be replaced, and the fuel lines and fuel injectors have to be inspected.What parts might have been damaged and what should be inspected?Could this affect the long-term reliability of the car?What other issues could occur in the long term?I’d really appreciate it if I could get some advice from fellow members. Thanks Here’s what BHPian Turbanator replied:Not really, the other way around is the problem. Diesel does not burn the way Petrol does, so once it is bled out from the fuel lines/ oil filter, the engine will start. Most likely, you will need to replace the fuel filter, and you will be good. Worst case, spark plugs. After the engine is started, you can add any additive. Most manufacturers, like Tata/ Toyota, have their own branded products. It happened on our Petrol Innova many years ago, and nothing happened.Here’s what BHPian ArTigor replied:Don’t worry, shouldn’t cause a major issue. Tata engines have a high tolerance. My dad had filled up Petrol in my diesel Tigor when it was just 30000 kilometers old. The car ran 6 kilometers on diesel! With violent jerks in the last 100 meters. Took the car to the Tata service center and they did a fuel system & engine flush, changed all fuel filters, ran the car on idle for 8 hours and my car was back in shape. The engine never had issues, and I completed 1.08 lakh km before selling the car.Here’s what BHPian OffRoadFun replied:It should not cause much damage, I believe. My mechanic once filled in diesel instead of petrol in my (Audi Q5: Petrol, turbocharged and Direct Injection) car, and it has been running fine since then (more than a year). Diesel in a petrol engine is not that bad, reverse can be catastrophic as diesel is compressed to ignite and petrol in a diesel engine would explode much before full compression, possibly causing damage. Coming back to the point, you just need to bleed the fuel lines, injectors and there is a good likelihood you may be fine.Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.
