Petrol in Diesel and vv

[AngusMcDoon]

Is there any harm in using the same can to hold petrol and then diesel and vice-versa. This may mean that a dribble of one would get into the other.

Fuel used in normal boaty applications, i.e. Eberspacher, engines etc.

 

[William_H]

No no problem.

 

[fireball]

More than a dribble of diesel in your petrol may cause problems though ...

 

[VicS]

The only problems are safety related. A little petrol left in the can may mean that, even when used for diesel, the vapour in the can could still be flammble.

My biggest concern is that one day you'll forget what really is in the can with possible serious and dangerous consequences. You cannot rely on smell especially if the can may contain diesel contaminated with petrol or petrol contaminated with diesel.

My advice is DON'T DO IT. Get separate cans which are different colours and clearly marked. Then there should be no chance of either yourself or someone else getting it wrong. The can for petrol should also be of an approved type.

In an industrial setting the Health and safety people would have a field day with you.

 

[Thistle]

... and the excise folk would love to find even a trace of red diesel in your car!

 

[cliff]

[ QUOTE ]
... and the excise folk would love to find even a trace of red diesel in your car!

[/ QUOTE ]Especially in a petrol engined car!
----------

“Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity”
Skype id:cliffillupo

 

[colvic]

Diesel in petrol could cause a little smoke if too much remeins in can.

Petrol is a KILLER for a diesel engine!! Even vapour at the engine inlet will make the engine race into revs never dreamt about by the designer.

DO NOT DO IT!!!

 

[oldharry]

[ QUOTE ]
Petrol is a KILLER for a diesel engine!! Even vapour at the engine inlet will make the engine race into revs never dreamt about by the designer.

[/ QUOTE ]

No it is not: True: inflammable vapour or liquid of any kind sucked into the air intake (including engine oil from the crankcase breather) will cause the engine to rev wildly, usually to destruction, but mixing up to as much as 20% petrol in diesel fuel is common practice amongst road hauliers in cold climates to stop the fuel waxing in the tanks and lines. The engine will run reasonably happily - tending to 'pink' more - as the octane rating is raised. I once put 4 gallons of petrol in my (first) diesel engined van. It ran quite happily until I stopped it. It then would not re-start until the entire fuel system had been stripped and cleaned, and new injectors had been fitted!

However the practice of using the same cans for two different fuels is courting disaster - sooner or later you will top up your outboard petrol engine with diesel... Its also illegal on the garage forecourt: petrol can only be dispensed in to red or green 5 litre max size containers, while diesel may only go in to black ones, max 10 litres. Standard 20 litre Jerrycans are illegal on the forecourt because of their size. Cans are also supposed to be marked appropriately.

However I never yet found a garage which even commented on my black 10 litre 'petrol' cans or green jerrycan when I ran a boat with an outboard - even though they can lose their site licence for allowing it. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Thistle]

[ QUOTE ]
Standard 20 litre Jerrycans are illegal on the forecourt because of their size.

[/ QUOTE ]
I've heard this before but have not been able to find a reference to the law in question: can you - or anyone else - help? (In the past I've also asked the local trading standards department and been told that it's up to the individual retailer.)

 

[BrendanS]

everything you need to know here
http://www.rya.org.uk/clubtcarea/ClubTCAdvice/premises/default.asp?contentId=2216106

though there may be some glaring errors in this advice is some other information I've just read is to be believed. Just having a read around

 

[Micky]

I just purchased a 25 litre Diesel can, clearly marked as Diesel, and it is RED.

Red for Disel, includes the filler cap on my van also red.

Green for Petrol.

 

[BrendanS]

approved petrol containers can be red or green according to the regs. See the RYA link I've just posted

 

[jimi]

That is factually false. It is recommended to add petrol to diesel occasionally for several purposes 1) prevent waxing in cold weather and 2)Do'nt tell DeepSol but the occasional additional addition of 10% unleaded will kill and stop diesel bug as the lead substitute is highly toxic to the wee buggers

 

[Thistle]

Brendan, that was very quick and helpful: many thanks.

 

[BrendanS]

The advice given here for transport of large quantities of petrol imposes some heavy restrictions
http://www.mhs-golf.co.uk/ch2102.htm

 

[oldharry]

Re container size and colour restrictions

As posted (in small print) on many forecourts locally - read with amusement as I filled up my jerrycan or 30 litre outboard tank under the watchful eye of forecourt staff.....

Could be local Licensing regulations rather than a general legal restriction? I find it hard to believe the H&S officers would not want to restrict the sale, transport and storeage of such a dangerously volatile liquid as petrol.

 

[BrendanS]

Re: Re container size and colour restrictions

Yes, every petrol station operates under different licensing requirements, so the amounts they can sell will vary - it's not general

 

[oldharry]

Re: Re container size and colour restrictions

The point remains that Angus's outboard will not be very happy when he fills it with diesel ..... Sods law will prevail sooner or later!

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Re: Re container size and colour restrictions

It wasn't a case of storing petrol in a diesel can, or vice-versa. It was a one-off requirement to get some petrol for the outboard, and only having a can usually used for diesel available. Short term transport only.

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

Re: Re container size and colour restrictions

What about NATO style jerricans? I use those for diesel and have never had it queried.