Hi,
Ford dealer today filled up a brand new 1.6 diesel Fusion with petrol just before it was due to be collected (by my mother, it's her new car). The petrol station was apparently close by, but the car was driven back to the dealer anyway - I don't know if that means 100 yards or 500 yards.
However it's my understanding that modern diesels can be severely damaged the instant petrol (a solvent) comes in contact with certain engine parts that would normally be lubricated by diesel. As such after a misfuel the key should not even be put in the ignition let alone turning the engine over.
The Ford dealer apparently got the car into the workshop straight away, drained the tank & changed the filters (I assume flushed the pipes & engine too, but I haven't been told this) They reckon it will now be fine & no damage will have been caused and my mother drove the car away having waited all day for it to be sorted.
I'm really concerned that potentially damage has been done & it's just wishful thinking or hopeful assumption that the car is completely unharmed. I think my mother should actually reject this car & not take any risks since it's entirely the Ford dealers fault.
Does anyone have any advice or experience of similar mistakes? I'm mostly worried that even if the car seems fine now in the long term problems may materialise - even if it's fixable under warranty later on I think that could be more hassle than just demanding an immediate replacement now.
Thanks for any help/advice/links to technical guides
UPDATE: Thanks to all for the replies so far
The salesman at the dealership has taken full responsibility and is putting in writing exactly what happened with a complete breakdown of the action taken to put it right.
I will push the dealer anyway to extend the warranty on the engine & related fuel system parts as condition of acceptance & compensation.
I also intend to contact Ford directly & get them to provide a proper engineers report on all the potential consequences of putting petrol into a Duratorq diesel and get them to verify that the dealer has taken the complete required action to fix this. I want them to specifically outline any issues that may affect long term engine life, economy, smoothness etc.
We've spoken to a couple of independent mechanics & a family member who works at a different car dealership. Their advice seems pretty consistent - if there is a problem it's going to show up soon, almost certainly within 1000 miles and therefore if the Ford dealer has taken the correct action it should be OK. Apparently this type of misfuel is a very common problem.
Personally I would still not be happy accepting the car, but it's not my choice so for now the car is being kept & we'll run it for a few days and see how it performs. As noted below it can still be rejected & returned for a full refund if anything does goes wrong.
Obviously it's a really stressful situation & possibly having to wait another 8 weeks for a new car to be built is distressing, so I will insist on a courtesy car if we do need to reject this one.
Ford dealer today filled up a brand new 1.6 diesel Fusion with petrol just before it was due to be collected (by my mother, it's her new car). The petrol station was apparently close by, but the car was driven back to the dealer anyway - I don't know if that means 100 yards or 500 yards.
However it's my understanding that modern diesels can be severely damaged the instant petrol (a solvent) comes in contact with certain engine parts that would normally be lubricated by diesel. As such after a misfuel the key should not even be put in the ignition let alone turning the engine over.
The Ford dealer apparently got the car into the workshop straight away, drained the tank & changed the filters (I assume flushed the pipes & engine too, but I haven't been told this) They reckon it will now be fine & no damage will have been caused and my mother drove the car away having waited all day for it to be sorted.
I'm really concerned that potentially damage has been done & it's just wishful thinking or hopeful assumption that the car is completely unharmed. I think my mother should actually reject this car & not take any risks since it's entirely the Ford dealers fault.
Does anyone have any advice or experience of similar mistakes? I'm mostly worried that even if the car seems fine now in the long term problems may materialise - even if it's fixable under warranty later on I think that could be more hassle than just demanding an immediate replacement now.
Thanks for any help/advice/links to technical guides
UPDATE: Thanks to all for the replies so far
The salesman at the dealership has taken full responsibility and is putting in writing exactly what happened with a complete breakdown of the action taken to put it right.
I will push the dealer anyway to extend the warranty on the engine & related fuel system parts as condition of acceptance & compensation.
I also intend to contact Ford directly & get them to provide a proper engineers report on all the potential consequences of putting petrol into a Duratorq diesel and get them to verify that the dealer has taken the complete required action to fix this. I want them to specifically outline any issues that may affect long term engine life, economy, smoothness etc.
We've spoken to a couple of independent mechanics & a family member who works at a different car dealership. Their advice seems pretty consistent - if there is a problem it's going to show up soon, almost certainly within 1000 miles and therefore if the Ford dealer has taken the correct action it should be OK. Apparently this type of misfuel is a very common problem.
Personally I would still not be happy accepting the car, but it's not my choice so for now the car is being kept & we'll run it for a few days and see how it performs. As noted below it can still be rejected & returned for a full refund if anything does goes wrong.
Obviously it's a really stressful situation & possibly having to wait another 8 weeks for a new car to be built is distressing, so I will insist on a courtesy car if we do need to reject this one.