Thanks Hako, I won't check the maths, never was any good at them. I was mainly concerned with the diesel mixing with a minute amount of petrol, I didn't want to stuff my motor....
-- Edited by Duh on Monday 8th of July 2013 08:33:33 PM
As you know, when emptying a fuel container you never seem to be able to get that last drop out, petrol is not too bad as you can leave the cap off in a clean area and let it evaporate, however diesel does not evaporate easily.
So my question is, providing they are empty, but with the possibility a very small residue of petrol or diesel, can you fill it up with the other fuel so that it will not affect your vehicles performance, particularly a diesel vehicle if the fuel in the container had a tiny residue of petrol in it when filled with diesel ??????? Also vice versa for filling a container with petrol that had a small residue of diesel in it ???
Perhaps try rinsing it out with water in between.lol No seriously, perhaps rinse it out with the replacement fuel to insure its clean from the previous fuel.
I think I'd prefer to outlay the exrta money, and buy a new Container. If you can't, then try Marj's suggestion of rinsing out well with the replacement fuel, and draining well, before filling.
Perhaps try rinsing it out with water in between.lol No seriously, perhaps rinse it out with the replacement fuel to insure its clean from the previous fuel.
Personally I'd risk it especially if the container was then being completely filled with the new fuel. Many a time I've used 2 stroke in the car. A 20 litre drum is 20000 millilitres..... a teaspoon of residual fuel in the container may be 5 millilitres so the ratio is 1 part in 4000.....pretty small.
By the way, I'm not sure on my maths above as I've just done it in my ageing head.
Good Luck.
For the amount you are talking about, (a tablespoonfull at the most I would reckon) you would have no problem either way, petrol/diesel or diesel/petrol. It's actually petrol in diesel engines that stuffs them up, mainly due to the common rail high pressure sytems that are used today. Diesel in petrol smokes like buggery!! As Hako say's, it'll all be good.
TTFN
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Mark & Linda
A man who asks a question is a fool for five minutes, but ask no questions and your a fool for life!!
Thanks for that, at least I know if I use it for some extra fuel all I have to do is remember which one I have in it, or tag it or something, should be able to tell from the smell anyway. I have both diesel and petrol vehicles.....
You have nothing to worry about. The small amount left is well within the safety limits. It will not effect the fuel's designated performance rating. You can mix 7or8:1 before it has any adverse effects, mainly increasing the flashpoint. That is 7or8 parts diesel to 1 part petrol. Word of warning. Todays diesels may require a bigger ratio, ie 15:1
Cheers
-- Edited by Two Strays on Tuesday 9th of July 2013 07:39:39 PM
Personally I'd risk it especially if the container was then being completely filled with the new fuel. Many a time I've used 2 stroke in the car. A 20 litre drum is 20000 millilitres..... a teaspoon of residual fuel in the container may be 5 millilitres so the ratio is 1 part in 4000.....pretty small.
Your maths are OK. Another way of looking at it is you have 0.025% petrol in your diesel. Back in the days when the rotary injuctor pumps were in vogue a mechanic I respect advised it was safe to have up to 20% petrol in your diesel fuel. Also there are those who say if you can't get winter diesel then add a few percent of kero to the tank will make an equivalent fuel. I personally would not be worried about a change of fuel in my fuel containers.
The thing I would be worried about is a can that had been rinsed with water. It takes very little water to wreck a diesel motor. If someone had put water in my containers I would want to rinse it with a bit of metho before filling with fuel.
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
iv been told with the new common rail injection petrol can kill the system i would never do it
dibs
Hi Mr glassies,
You are absolutley right, but not in the "minute" quantities that have been discussed in this particular topic. Some of the fuel that you pick up en-route will have water in it anyway, it pays to open the drain bung on the bottom of the diesel filter occasionaly to drain it off. A lot............... not all............. common rail units have water separators on them as well just for added safety.
A VERY good point you made though.
Mark
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Mark & Linda
A man who asks a question is a fool for five minutes, but ask no questions and your a fool for life!!
Also vice versa for filling a container with petrol that had a small residue of diesel in it ??? 
