Oh no....I Put Diesel In! Stupid!

We Make Life A Ride

We Make Life A Ride

Active member
UKGSer Subscriber
Joined
Jul 13, 2019
Messages
261
Reaction score
28
Location
South Wales
So in a total daydream I just put diesel in the tank before realising my error then switching to petrol. Probably about £20 diesel then £25 petrol to fill the tank up. Then drove the 10 miles home.

Engine didn't sound happy on times and had the odd backfire but otherwise rode just like normal.

Tomorrow I plan to drain the tank. Fill up full tank with petrol and chuck some of that engine cleaner stuff in to hopefully degrease the spark plugs which now no doubt have a nice coat of diesel on them.

Any thoughts appreciated.
 
I have done it, thought I was putting shell 98 oct posh petrol in🤦🏼*♂️, put about 5-6 litres diesel before adding about 8/9 litres of petrol ran a bit rough but thought I had got away with it, had a drink stop up on Dartmoor and it wouldn’t fire up again, luckily only a few miles from a friends place, he came to my aid with a bucket, pipe and 5 litres of petrol, sucked out as much as I could, put the petrol in, fired up after a few attempts and was a bit Smokey for a bit but refilled with petrol and no problems.

Al.
 
Funny you should say that. I've just tried it again and won't fire up now. I'll get it all drained tomorrow and hopefully get it back up and running.
 
After you have swapped fuel, turn ignition on and off maybe 20 times before trying to start it.
This should purge the fuel lines.
 
you are so lucky its diesel in a petrol engine the other way round gets very expensive - DAHIK
 
in a GS? that can run on both cant it?
 
Ok. So this morning drained all I could from the tank. There was dregs in bottom I couldn't get too. I've since put 10l of unleaded in but the thing will not start despite several attempts and now getting to point where battery voltage is starting to drop.

I got some of that Redex petrol engine cleaner stuff. Anyone think that'll help if I chuck that in too?

Am I going to need to get all technical and remove the plugs and drain the carb and fuel lines etc. The plugs I can maybe accomplish but carb and fuel lines sounds like a mare I could do without.

Thanks in advance.
 
I'd certainly clean the plugs, and get the battery on charge. That'll give you a good chance before stripping anything else. Only other advice is I'd probably have your bike pants/jacket and boots on when you're next trying to start, so that once it fires up it's just lid and gloves and you can take it out, without having to turn it off again to go and get geared up.

Edit, this is in the 1200/1250 section - you do know they don't have carbs?:D
 
Haha the annoying thing is I've only had this bike a few weeks so no I dont know they don't have carbs so thanks for educating me 😂

Still learning about the GSA. Lesson number 1 dont put diesel in petrol engine!!
 
I filled mine with diesel! Drained it and filled with good stuff. Still wouldn’t start. I got a can of Easy Start and sprayed it into the airbox (adyer removing filter) and it started in a massive cloud of smoke. As already mentioned make sure you have some kit on as when it starts you want to ride until it all clears through. Mine took 5 - 10 mins of smoking and farting before all came right.
 
My dad had a classic VW beetle with a new engine in it. He filled it at work from a mislabelled jerrycan and it cost him a complete new engine. Just 20 litres of diesel on top of whatever petrol was in there destroyed it.
 
Have the plugs out and burn the oil off using a lighter or over a gas ring, once they start getting too hot to hold put them back in quickly and it should fire up.
 
Any tips for removing the spark plug coil without the proper tool? Will I be able to wedge it with a screwdriver without damaging it?
 
OldCroc said:
I filled mine with diesel! Drained it and filled with good stuff. Still wouldn’t start. I got a can of Easy Start and sprayed it into the airbox (adyer removing filter) and it started in a massive cloud of smoke. As already mentioned make sure you have some kit on as when it starts you want to ride until it all clears through. Mine took 5 - 10 mins of smoking and farting before all came right.
Click to expand...

This works. I know. JJH
 
abermarc said:
Any tips for removing the spark plug coil without the proper tool? Will I be able to wedge it with a screwdriver without damaging it?
Click to expand...
Two smallish screwdrivers, one each side. Lever very gently with plenty of wiggling of the coils.
Don't push in to the rubber/plastic too hard.
 
So plan of attack is, in order of trying to start the thing is:

1. Have a crack with a can of Easy Start
2. Whip out spark plugs for a clean
3. Start to panic!

Hopefully it'll start after number 1!

Wish me luck.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

listermint
So youve filled Diesel in your R1250GS
2 3
Replies
42
Views
6,978
Red


Back
Top Bottom