Putting the wrong fuel into your car can be an incredibly inconvenient and, potentially, expensive experience. Here at Auto Fuel Fix, we have been specialising in the removal of contaminated fuel from a variety of road vehicles since 2006. During this time, there have been certain questions that we are continually asked, so we thought collecting the following responses might prove to be helpful to you if you find yourself in a situation where you have put the wrong fuel in your car.
How Much Does A Fuel Drain Cost?
Some dealerships can charge anywhere between £400 and £4,000 for a fuel drain, depending on the make and model of your car and if any parts need to be replaced. The turnaround time for the fuel drain can be between 1 and 5 days, depending on the availability of parts.
Auto Fuel Fix, on the other hand, will come out to your location and carry out the fuel drain for the all-inclusive price of £168 with a no fix, no fee policy, at any day at any time, and get you back on the road!
Will my insurance cover a fuel drain?
Unfortunately, insurance rarely covers a fuel drain. Unless you have specifically requested fuel drain cover. In which case, you should be aware of the excess.
Will My Engine Be Permanently Damaged If I Use The Wrong Fuel?
If you realise your mistake at the fuel pumps, before you have started the engine then no, your engine won’t be damaged by using the wrong fuel. A fuel drainage specialist can easily drain the contaminated fuel and get you back on the road.
Similarly, if you did start the engine, realised your error quickly, and switched it off again, it is unlikely your car will be permanently damaged. Particularly if the vehicle is relatively new and hasn’t covered a high mileage.
If you have driven the vehicle until it has broken down due to the wrong fuel, it is harder to predict what the long term effects will be on the drivetrain. Our experience would suggest that, if the fuel drain and flush is carried out thoroughly, the majority of vehicles will not suffer any further damage.
However, there have been examples of older models that aren’t as robust as new cars due to parts being worn out over time suffering more far reaching damage. For more information on the potential damage putting petrol in a diesel car could cause, take a look at our guide.
If you have made the mistake of putting the wrong fuel in your car and require roadside assistance from one of our fuel drain specialists, take a look at our 24-hour wrong fuel recovery service or call us on 0844 879 4770 to find out how we can assist you and get you back on the road!