Thread: Idiot!!

The only PITA is using jerry cans, the nozzle in those can also trigger the mis-fueling device if it goes in too far. Then it's embarrassing trying to find the rest tool while there is a queue behind you at a busy country town servo the day before the Christmas public holidays...

Originally Posted by Fitzy2011

Thanks all. I always fill up with Shell who have black diesel nozzles, but this time I was in a Caltex who have black vortex unleaded, but I can assure you it won't happen again.
This is my 7th Land Rover and by far the best!

Over here, the diesel fuel nozzles tend to have either yellow or black plastic coverings on them.

GM and others install yellow gas caps on their petrol engine vehicles that are E85 rated, that is are deemed ethanol OK.

Green is what they use for Diesel fuel caps and black for normal petrol. As such, the GM fuel cap jpg below is not to be confused with the fuel cap off a John Deere tractor as the shade of green is a bit off.

Maybe the oil companies and the car companies should be talking to each other.

When ULP came in to use in Australia there was talk then of colour coding the fuel cap and the pump. Was to be green for ULP, red for Super and black for diesel. Studies had shown this was sufficient to stop 99% of miss fuels. Nothing though came of it. Perhaps was too simple and low tech to grab attention.

One more

Here in the UK you need to take care and watch which hose you have garbed as it is a popular trick to swap them around so the petrol and diesel are in the wrong place. Miss fuel results if you do not spot it. As each petrol station had their own idea of what colour goes with which fuel it is easier than you may think to be caught. Perhaps this is what happened here.

Originally Posted by 3toes

One more

Here in the UK you need to take care and watch which hose you have garbed as it is a popular trick to swap them around so the petrol and diesel are in the wrong place. Miss fuel results if you do not spot it. As each petrol station had their own idea of what colour goes with which fuel it is easier than you may think to be caught. Perhaps this is what happened here.

It's occurred to me that smart arse kids might think it funny to swap nozzles on the bowser when the station is closed so I always check the nozzle belongs to the pump I want to use. Especially if the nozzle has no markings on it.

My wife did the same thing with a D3 about two years ago. Dark, murky day and a certain brand of fuel used dark colours to identify the different fuel types and 'whizz-bang' names that bear no resemblence to the type of fuel. Full tank of unleaded (the D3 was nearly empty).

Got around the corner and the motor stopped.

Towed to our independent LR specialist. Diagnosis codes related to a lack of fuel pressure, probably due to the difference in viscosity between petrol and diesel. Full flush of fuel system (full tank of unleaded wasted...).

Some discussion about long term effects. Main concern was lack of lubrication for the injectors, petrol would quickly remove any diesel residue. Decided to try it and see.

2 years and 50,000 K later there seems to be no long term damage. It appears the much maligned modern technology saves us a big repair bill.

I wouldn't recommend trying to restart a motor if this happens, the initial shutdown provides protection but repeated restarting is going to force petrol further through the fuel system.

Originally Posted by SBD4

It's occurred to me that smart arse kids might think it funny to swap nozzles on the bowser when the station is closed so I always check the nozzle belongs to the pump I want to use. Especially if the nozzle has no markings on it.

Yep - have seen that regularly at a couple of places - one in Kalgoorlie is well known for it (and it's not always kids either - just idiots).

Caltex is a trap ...............

They advertise "Vortex" diesel and also "Vortex" ULP.

I got caught in Northam a while back in the D2 td5. Saw a sign as I approached the Caltex advertising "Vortex Diesel" at $X.XX per litre.

Pulled up at a bowser marked as "Vortex" and showing the advertised price of $X.XX per litre and commenced to fill up. After about 20 litres, I could distinctly smell petrol and stopped pumping.

Just happened that on that particular day, their Vortex Diesel and Vortex ULP were the same price ..................

Drained the tank, filled up with Diesel (and gave the service station owner a little "friendly" advice about their poor advertising / signage practices) and continued driving without any problems.

Generally haven't been back to a Caltex since though - usually try to stick with BP. (The fact that a lot of Caltex places are associated with Coles or Woolies these days also has a lot to do with why I won't buy fuel from them also).

Also don't have any problem filling the D4 with a hi-flow diesel pump. Just need to be careful of the angle / position you hold the nozzle or it tends to spit back at you a bit, especially since I've had the long range tank installed (which fills through the same / original filler point).

Originally Posted by SBD4

It's occurred to me that smart arse kids might think it funny to swap nozzles on the bowser when the station is closed so I always check the nozzle belongs to the pump I want to use. Especially if the nozzle has no markings on it.

Here, the kids roar past the pumps on their bicycles and take the windshield squeegees. Switching nozzles will probably be the new fad for this spring upcoming. I appreciate the heads up.

Actually, diesel pumps being so rare here, they tend to be located on a separate island away from the petrol pumps. That will change as diesel becomes more popular. Re naming, Mercedes would like us to use BlueTec as the name; myself, I am kind of expecting GasOil or GAZOLE as that should really confuse everyone but our language commissioners.

The jpg is from France; note the petrol nozzles are green and the GasOil, black.