Club 80-90 Forums

I've still got half a tank after filling up in August - should I add 2 litres of petrol to avoid waxing problems. I've looked on the internet and spotted various conflicting advice, the most repeated is that 5% to 10% petrol should be added to summer grade diesel to prevent waxing. Guidance relevant to T25 1.6 JX td would be appreciated?
Cheers,
Paul
P.S. Some people say better to add paraffin, some people say you mustn't because could get into trouble with HMRC customs and excise. A post I found in here said engines can be destroyed by adding some petrol.

too much petrol can damage the pump, a little can cause the seals to swell. took 3 years of running a petrol/diesel mix in my t4 before the pump died. dont think a little is going to harm un less the pump is already tired.

Are you experiencing waxing?
The handbook says you can dilute, but only time I've needed to was in the Alpes, I was seeing issues from waxing though.

Back in the 1970s & early 1980s VW used to recommend putting a gallon or so of petrol in the tank of a diesel Golf/Jetta to stop the diesel waxing.
It was actually in the handbook.

in the army we used to mix in kerosene into the tanks on landrovers when they waxed up but that was in bosnia in the winter and blooming cold!

Anyone else have definite or specific advice (like Bowton lad's excellent handbook quote)

Many thanks for your replies - since the fuel could be in the system for a long time, I'll try to get some additive. If I'm ever at the roadside on a journey, I'll have no hesitation in adding some petrol to get me going again.
Cheers,
Paul

For HarryMann - The definitive answer - from a mate's July 1986 VW Transporter Instructiom Manual (The VW supplied glovebox manual) pages 64 and 65:
When neccesary summer and winter Diesel can be used at lower temperatures by mixing regular leaded or lead-free petrol (not premium) with Diesel. As this additive reduces the engine output, only the amount actually required should be used: (max 30%)

0 to -5 Celcius Summer Diesel 85% Petrol 15%
-5 to -15 Celcius Summer Diesel 70% Petrol 30%

0 to -15 Celcius Winter Diesel 100%
-15 to -25 Celcius Winter Diesel 70% Petrol 30%

This table is based on fuels available in Germany
Due to the inflammability of petrol the mixing should, for safety reasons, only be done in the vehicle tank. Where possible, the petrol should be put into the tank before the Diesel.
Other fuel additives (anti-waxing agents and similar fluids) must not be mixed with the Diesel fuel.