Diesel in a Petrol

[Flyingchunk]

Quick one just mistakenly filled up just under half the tank with diesel, topped up with petrol and have limped home.

Will I have done any damage?

I'm going to drain it off and refill it.

[jamesc76]

drain refil and new filters should be ok, will be a bit smokey for a while, its the other way round that becomes a problem

[marlinowner]

I did exactly the same, 50/50 mixture, struggled home with smokescreen behind, drained tank and put petrol in, it was fine.

[kevtherev]

At first, the petrol will float on top of the diesel and won't get sucked into the low-level fuel pick-up. Then, very gradually, it will disperse into the diesel fuel.

[Flyingchunk]

Ahh... I see. Was fine what I drained and topped it off.

Then drove it after 4-5 hours, struggled to start.

Guess it needs to keep mixing up.

Great stuff. What a dumb ass I am.

There was a kind of metallic tapping / clacking for a bit, but that seems to have subsided.

[Flyingchunk]

I am slightly concerned the fuel economy is worse since my misfuel incident.

Am I imagining things or would something be causing this?

[kevtherev]

if there is still diesel in the fuel then it's not going to be as efficient as neat fuel.
therefore you're having to work the engine harder = more fuel