HELP oil additive in fuel tank!!

[Twiggy]

I need your help/advice,

I went to Halfords yesterday to buy some Injector cleaner, got a guy to show me where it was and he made sure i found the exact product that i wanted. I paid and ready the instruction leaflet in the car park and then went straight to the petrol station, The petrol station was busy but i double checked the leaflet and it said to add a full bottle to a tank of fuel.

It seemed to take an age to empty into the tank (put about 350 ml of the 500ml bottle) before i filled up the tank (48 litres worth).

Whilst driving home i realised that the bottle had a different picture on it to the box it came in so i pulled over to take a look and my heart sank. I had done about 10 miles since leaving the petrol station to realise that the bottle in the box had been swapped for some engine treatment Wynns.



I pulled in at the next petrol station to see if i could squeeze in more fuel (brim it) to see if the oil additive would sit on top of the fuel to enable me to drain it out… no luck.

Do i get the tank drained and rule lines flushed?

Will topping the fuel tank up from 3/4 to full for the next month help to dilute the additive and all be ok?

What should i do interim of dealing with Halfords?

Any help will be much appreciated.

Currently the car is at home not been used.

Thanks


 

[Stevepd]

I'm no expert but I wouldn't start the car and get in contact with Halfords branch manager & keep Halfords HQ in the loop

[DanMaytee]

I'm no expert but I wouldn't start the car and get in contact with Halfords branch manager & keep Halfords HQ in the loop

This.  Sounds as someone has swapped the bottles over to save some cash.

Just checked and the engine treatment is £2 more than the Petrol treatment.  Quite odd how they are in the wrong box. 

Hope you get it sorted though mate. 

[xjay1337]

To be honest I would not expect it to cause any serious damage long term, especially if on high octane fuel. I would just keep the tank topped up as much as possible.

You could put 350ml of water into 50L of petrol without any noticeable issue, especially if it's mixed.

[scopes]

Things like this are always on your mind, just waiting for something to go wrong, always wondering if it could have or has done any damage.....   

Nothing wrong with being fussy !!!

If you wanted you could always drain some fuel out & add fresh fuel to weaken it down...

Only a thought 

[Twiggy]

Quick update,

Halfords have accepted full responsibility for the issue and have organised a hire car for me, asked me to get two quotes for it to be fixed and to send them all the information, loss of work , taxi cost until the hire car arrives etc.

Wynns were called by myself and by halfords and we were both told the same, DO NOT use the car due to the additive being a lubricant, it will have mixed with the fuel and could damage fuel pumps and injectors. The lubricant is designed to coat everything which is why it is not a straight forward as simply emptying the tank and refilling.  Wynns have advised a full fuel system flush and clean. VW have also recommended the same.

VW can't give an exact quote due to not seeing the car which i understand but have said that its 3.5 hours work and will come in at about £350-400 just on labour.
Local garage quoted £450 for pick up of the car, tank flush and clean, full tank of fuel again and VAT.

Just hope its a simple quick flush and clean thats needed.

While at Halfords i looked in a few other boxes and they had been swapped also.

The manager at the Rotherham (canklow) halfords branch was excellent and has also called me today to see how i have got on with Customer service calling me and Enterprise organising the hire car. Couldnt have done more if i am honest.

Anyone got an idea of a worst case scenario cost, fuel pumps replacing, injectors replacing etc?

cheers

Andy

[usmangti]

good result that mate, its nice to see halfords etc taking responsibility, without much fuss
 

[xjay1337]

Well done, good result all around however I don't think that it would have damaged anything, but that's just my view haha 

[bacillus]

I would say your hpfp is thrashed and needs replacing with a loba one...   

[scopes]

^^^^ ^^^^

[Stevepd]

Very refreshing to hear

[doylebros]

Fantastic result but surprised they didn't just fob you off - they normally have a book of gold plated excuses!

[Sandbagsniper]

This is a great result and actually reflects very well on Halfords. Well done them.

[Twiggy]

Got the car back and it runs well.

Now how to celebrate… track day… full detail…