what are the symptoms of putting petrol in a diesel car

Put petrol in a diesel? That’s like buttering toast with engine degreaser—things get ugly fast.

Petrol strips the lubrication a diesel pump and injectors rely on, so the engine may protest before your wallet does.

Typical symptoms include:

• Hard starting or no start after refuelling
• Rough idle, misfiring, knocking or rattling
• Loss of power, hesitation, or stalling under load
• Smoke (often white/grey) and strong fuel smell
• Warning lights, especially fuel system or engine

If you’ve just realised at the bowser, do not start the car—get it drained, flushed, and the fuel filter replaced; if it’s already running, stop as safely as possible and call roadside assistance.

Keep receipts and tell your insurer; some policies cover misfuelling, which beats funding a new high-pressure pump out of your own pocket.