XC70: General Put 1lt petrol in with 50lt of Diesel

[flyingant]

Hi, Volvo XC70 2012 2litre Diesel. today absentmindedly started filling tank with petrol instead of diesel. stopped after 1 litre. Added 50 litre diesel & drove 3 miles to home with no noticeable problem.
Do I need to drain tank & dispose of contents ? Anything else I should check ?
Much appreciate any advice.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by flyingant

Hi, Volvo XC70 2012 2litre Diesel. today absentmindedly started filling tank with petrol instead of diesel. stopped after 1 litre. Added 50 litre diesel & drove 3 miles to home with no noticeable problem.
Do I need to drain tank & dispose of contents ? Anything else I should check ?
Much appreciate any advice.

no, if it is running quietly with no smoke all ok ...

[jeffmasson]

As long as it's a small amount it can't do any harm as it will just thin out the diesel a little if there is to much the diesel will loose it lubricating properties and kill the pump. I would keep topping the tank up to dilute the petrol as much as possible just in case if your planing on keeping the car for a long time 3 or 4 times from 3/4 to 7/8 full back to full should make sure.

[green van man]

Back in the day we used to put a small amount of petrol in the diesel in winter to stop it waxing in the cold weather.
If you are worried about the petrol reducing the lubrication properties of the diesel add some mineral 2 stroke oil.
I don't think you have anything to worry about in truth.

Paul.

[volvoski]

If you are worried chuck a 250 ml of two stroke oil in. That will prevent the petrol being harsh on your pump. We put petrol,in the diesel tanks of lorries in the winter to keep it thinned down all the time.

[NL Craig]

Won't hurt at all but as said, if worried keep topping it up from 3/4 for a while.
Petrol in the truck tanks. You are showing age with that one. Diesel has had additives for years to stop waxing.

[Tatsfield]

It's a matter of degree. 1 litre in 70 is not going to do appreciable harm. Added 2-stroke oil will reduce any lack of lubricity. Years ago I foolishly put 5 litres in about 50 in a Peugeot 305D and within a couple of weeks the main pump was showing signs of excess wear. I thought I was doing what someone explained would reduce waxing, which was prevalent then, but I didn't realise the risks of over doping the fuel. If you are feeling nervous, stick in the 2-stroke oil to lubricate the pump until you can get the fuel back to normal.

[Mr R Design]

I did this also with my V70 D5 and pretty much with the same amount.

As people have said keep it topped up (with diesel!!) for 500/600 miles it will be fine and don't bother flaffing about putting any additives etc in.

I kept topping mine up to the brim after I had used about 10%/15% and never had any problems.

[Tannaton]

As has been said it will be fine. Generally you won't start to notice unless the petrol was 10% or more of the fuel. You might even find that the car runs better as a result....

[green van man]

Ohhh yeh the anti waxing addetive put into diesel.

It was developed by Esso, they used their tanker fleet as ginuepigs. One winter back in the 80s esso fuel was unobtainable, because their tanker fleet was stuck in the depots with waxed filters, everyone else was still using the add a bit of petrol method and still mobile.

Just a bit of trivia that may win a point or two in a pub quiz.

Paul.