Mobile Wrong Fuel Recovery
Servicing Hobart, Cambridge & Southern Tasmania
Put the Wrong Fuel in Your Vehicle? Don't Start the Engine.
Accidentally putting petrol in a diesel vehicle or diesel in a petrol vehicle can happen to anyone. The most important thing is knowing what to do next.
If you realise you have put the wrong fuel in your vehicle, DO NOT START THE ENGINE. If the vehicle is already running or you have driven away from the service station, pull over somewhere safe and switch the engine off as soon as possible.
Tasman Auto Electrics provides a professional mobile wrong fuel recovery service throughout Southern Tasmania, allowing us to come to your vehicle and safely recover the incorrect or contaminated fuel.
Our purpose-equipped fuel recovery service allows us to drain contaminated fuel, carry out the appropriate fuel-system recovery process and manage the removed fuel in accordance with our environmental and dangerous-goods requirements.
What Should I Do Right Now?
If you've just realised you've put the wrong fuel in your vehicle:
Stop fuelling
Do not start the engine
Avoid switching the ignition on unnecessarily
If you've already driven the vehicle, pull over somewhere safe and switch it off
Keep the area around the vehicle clear and do not attempt to drain the fuel yourself
Call Tasman Auto Electrics and tell us your location, vehicle details, what fuel was added and whether the engine has been started
The earlier the situation is identified, the better.
Petrol in a Diesel Vehicle
Putting petrol into a diesel vehicle is one of the most common misfuelling situations. Modern diesel fuel systems rely on diesel fuel for lubrication. Petrol can reduce this lubricating effect, which means continuing to operate the vehicle may increase the risk of damage to components such as the high-pressure fuel pump and injectors.
If you have not started the engine, leave the vehicle switched off and contact us. Do not turn the ignition on unnecessarily, as some vehicles may operate or prime fuel-system components when the ignition is activated.
If you have already started or driven the vehicle, stop somewhere safe, switch the engine off and contact us. This does not automatically mean the fuel system or engine has been damaged. However, the recovery process may be more involved because contaminated fuel may have circulated beyond the fuel tank. Our technician can assess the situation and determine the appropriate next step.
Diesel in a Petrol Vehicle
Accidentally adding diesel to a petrol vehicle also requires the contaminated fuel to be removed. If the engine has not been started, keep it switched off and contact Tasman Auto Electrics. If the engine has been started or the vehicle has been driven, stop driving when safe to do so and switch the engine off. Depending on the vehicle and how far the contaminated fuel has travelled through the system, additional flushing, diagnostic scanning or other work may be required before the vehicle can be safely returned to service.
AdBlue in the Fuel Tank
Putting AdBlue into a diesel fuel tank is different from simply mixing petrol and diesel and should be treated seriously. Do not start the vehicle or switch the ignition on unnecessarily. AdBlue is not a fuel and can cause significant problems if it is circulated through a diesel fuel system. Contact Tasman Auto Electrics as soon as possible so we can assess the contamination and determine the appropriate recovery process. If the vehicle has already been started or driven, let us know when you call.
Contaminated Fuel Recovery
Wrong fuel isn't limited to putting petrol into a diesel vehicle. Tasman Auto Electrics can assess a range of fuel contamination problems, including petrol in diesel, diesel in petrol, mixed or contaminated fuel, suspected poor-quality fuel, stale fuel, water contamination, incorrect fuel transferred from containers or equipment, and other fuel contamination situations. If you're unsure what has entered the fuel tank, do not start the vehicle. Contact our team and explain what has happened.
Mobile Wrong Fuel Recovery
In many situations, there is no need to arrange a tow truck simply because the wrong fuel has been added. Our mobile service comes to your vehicle, whether you are at a service station, home, your workplace, a business or fleet depot, a roadside location where it is safe to work, or another suitable location across Southern Tasmania. Our technicians will assess the situation and determine the appropriate recovery procedure for the vehicle and the type of fuel contamination involved.
Purpose-Equipped Mobile Recovery Vehicle
Our mobile wrong fuel recovery setup carries specialised equipment designed for safely recovering and containing vehicle fuel. This allows us to bring the recovery service directly to the vehicle rather than automatically requiring the vehicle to be transported to a workshop. Our mobile capability is particularly useful for:
- Passenger vehicles
- 4WDs and utes
- Light commercial vehicles
- Fleet vehicles
- Work vehicles
- Vans
- Selected trucks and commercial vehicles
For larger vehicles, unusual fuel systems or specialist equipment, contact us with the vehicle details so we can determine the appropriate recovery method.
Fleet & Commercial Wrong Fuel Recovery
Misfuelling can be particularly costly for businesses when a vehicle is required for daily operations. Tasman Auto Electrics can provide wrong fuel recovery support for:
- Commercial fleets
- Government vehicles
- Utilities
- Service vehicles
- Trades and contractors
- Rental and hire vehicles
- 4WD fleets
- Light commercial vehicles
- Trucks and selected heavy vehicles
Our mobile capability can help reduce unnecessary vehicle movement and downtime by carrying out the recovery at the vehicle's location where practical and safe.
Our Wrong Fuel Recovery Process
Every vehicle and contamination event is different, but a typical recovery may involve:
Assess the Situation/Make the Vehicle Safe
We establish what fuel was added, approximately how much was added and whether the vehicle has been started or driven. Before commencing recovery, we establish a safe work area and prepare our specialised fuel-recovery equipment.
Recover the Contaminated Fuel
The incorrect fuel is safely extracted from the vehicle using purpose-designed equipment.
Fuel System Recovery
Where required, the fuel system is flushed or otherwise treated to remove remaining contaminated fuel.
Correct Fuel
Suitable clean fuel can then be introduced to allow the fuel system to be correctly primed and the vehicle assessed.
Vehicle Testing
Where appropriate, we can carry out diagnostic checks and confirm vehicle operation before returning it to service.
Waste Fuel Management
The recovered contaminated fuel is removed from site and managed through the appropriate waste-fuel handling and disposal process.
Why Choose Tasman Auto Electrics?
Mobile Service
We come to your vehicle across Southern Tasmania for suitable wrong fuel recovery jobs.
Purpose-Equipped
Our recovery equipment is specifically set up for extracting and containing contaminated vehicle fuel.
EPA & Dangerous Goods Compliant
Waste-fuel handling and environmental compliance are built into our recovery process. fuel is a hazardous and flammable substance and needs to be handled accordingly.
Qualified Auto Electrical Technicians
If the vehicle requires additional electrical or electronic diagnosis following the incident, we have the diagnostic capability to investigate further.
Vehicle Diagnostics Available
Modern vehicles can log faults or require additional diagnostic procedures following a misfuelling event. Our technicians have access to professional vehicle diagnostic equipment.
Local Tasmanian Business
Tasman Auto Electrics is based in Cambridge and provides mobile automotive electrical and specialist vehicle services throughout Southern Tasmania and beyond.
EPA Compliant Fuel Recovery
Removing fuel from a vehicle isn't simply a matter of draining it into a container. Petrol, diesel and contaminated fuel require appropriate handling, transportation and disposal. Our wrong fuel recovery service has been established with environmental compliance, dangerous-goods requirements and safe fuel handling as key priorities.
Recovered fuel is contained using appropriate equipment and removed from the recovery site for compliant handling and disposal. This is particularly important for roadside, workplace, fleet and commercial recoveries where uncontrolled fuel draining can create environmental, fire and workplace safety risks.
Frequently Asked Questions
I put petrol in my diesel. What should I do?
Do not start the engine. Contact Tasman Auto Electrics and tell us approximately how much petrol was added and how much diesel was already in the tank.
I already started the engine. Can you still help?
Yes. Switch the vehicle off as soon as it is safe to do so and contact us. The recovery process may be different if contaminated fuel has circulated through the fuel system.
I drove the vehicle before realising. Is the engine damaged?
Not necessarily. The outcome depends on the vehicle, fuel mixture and how long it operated. Stop driving and contact us so the situation can be assessed.
Do I need a tow truck?
Not necessarily. Our wrong fuel recovery service is mobile and is designed to carry out suitable fuel recovery at the vehicle's location. Some circumstances may still require workshop recovery or towing.
Can you recover diesel from a petrol vehicle?
Yes. We can assess and recover both petrol-in-diesel and diesel-in-petrol misfuelling incidents.
Can you remove AdBlue from a diesel tank?
Contact us immediately if AdBlue has been put into the fuel tank. Do not start the vehicle. AdBlue contamination requires careful assessment and may require a more extensive recovery process.
What happens to the fuel you remove?
Recovered contaminated fuel is contained and removed from the site for appropriate handling and disposal in accordance with our environmental and dangerous-goods requirements.
Can you help with contaminated fuel that isn't a misfuelling mistake?
Yes. Contact us if you suspect water, stale fuel, mixed fuel or another form of fuel contamination.
Do you service fleets and commercial vehicles?
Yes. We can provide wrong fuel recovery for private motorists as well as commercial, fleet and government vehicles.
Wrong Fuel Recovery Across Southern Tasmania
Tasman Auto Electrics provides mobile wrong fuel recovery throughout Hobart and Southern Tasmania. Our service includes Cambridge and surrounding areas, Hobart, Clarence, Sorell, Brighton, Glenorchy, Kingborough and other Southern Tasmanian locations. If you're outside these areas, contact us to discuss availability.
Need Wrong Fuel Recovery Now?
Put the wrong fuel in your vehicle? Don't risk causing further damage by continuing to drive or attempting to drain the tank yourself. Contact Tasman Auto Electrics for professional mobile wrong fuel recovery.
Professional mobile wrong fuel recovery for Southern Tasmania.