Petrol in a Diesel Chevrolet Suburban: Already Driven It?
The motor needs switching off and leaving off once you can pull over somewhere safe, if you've driven on petrol in a diesel Chevrolet Suburban. Caught early, it very rarely leaves lasting damage, and putting it right wherever you have stopped is still something we can do.
Petrol in Diesel comes out to wherever your Chevrolet Suburban has stopped, empties the tank then flushes the petrol from the fuel system. We leave when it's running on fresh diesel.
Petrol in a diesel Suburban: the signs to watch for
It's often a few miles before the symptoms appear, as with petrol inside your tank a diesel Suburban tends to run as usual at first. With petrol or AdBlue inside your fuel tank, these are the signs people normally notice:
- a loss of power, particularly when the motor is asked to accelerate
- lumpy running, or an uneven idle
- more smoke than usual comes from the exhaust
- a warning light comes on
- it stalls, then may refuse to restart
If any of these started after you fuelled up, look at your receipt to see what went in.
What travelling does to wrong fuel in your Chevrolet Suburban
Wrong fuel in your Chevrolet Suburban stays in the fuel tank till the motor pulls it out, and driving is what takes it through your filter, your injection pump and the fuel injectors. The blend reaches more of the system the further the Suburban is taken, since petrol thins the diesel fuel that lubricates the fuel pump and your fuel injectors on its way through them.
Stopping the moment you can is wiser than completing the journey for that reason. Driving a long way on contaminated fuel is what can do damage, and when a vehicle is stopped early, draining and cleaning are usually all it requires.
Whether you have the Suburban 6.5 TD or another version of the Suburban, nothing is different.
Right where you stopped
Moving the Suburban anywhere is not needed. You can leave it at the roadside or at home while we come to it, with no need to restart it and no recovery truck to arrange.
If you're beside a busy road, put the hazard lights on then wait somewhere out of harm's way, clear of the traffic.
When you call 0333 366 0103, let us know where you are, which Suburban it is and roughly how far you travelled. It also helps if the badge shows the version, like the Suburban 6.5 TD 4WD.
Once it's been driven: fuel drain on your Chevrolet Suburban
After it was driven, a fuel drain on your Chevrolet Suburban takes a step more than one at the forecourt. No petrol should be left between the tank and the motor by the end, so the fuel tank is drained first and your fuel lines are then opened and flushed through with the filter. The system is primed once clean diesel is in, and the motor is started to make sure it runs correctly.
When your motor has run with AdBlue in a diesel Chevrolet Suburban
Rough running, smoke and warning lamps are the usual signs once you have driven on AdBlue in a diesel Chevrolet Suburban, and your car may stall. The pump draws fuel at the base of the fuel tank, which is where AdBlue settles, so it gets to the fuel line fast. It also doesn't burn or lubricate. The urea forms crystals in the fuel filter and your fuel lines as its water dries.
How AdBlue removal from a diesel Chevrolet Suburban is done
AdBlue removal from a diesel Chevrolet Suburban that has been run means draining the fuel tank then flushing the crystals from the fuel lines and your filter, and we'll replace the fuel filter if it needs it.
Nothing here involves switching off or removing the AdBlue system. It deals with fluid in the diesel tank, and any separate AdBlue tank your Suburban has is left alone.
Engine sizes and Chevrolet Suburban fuel tank capacity
Each version of the Chevrolet Suburban in our records comes with a diesel fuel tank of 159 litres.
You'll see TD badging on diesel Suburban versions.
Every version in our list has an engine of 6.5 litres.
| Version | Fuel tank |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet Suburban 6.5 TD | 159 litres |
| Chevrolet Suburban 6.5 TD 4WD | 159 litres |
The cost of a fuel drain on the Chevrolet Suburban after driving
The distance travelled and where it is now matter the most towards the cost of a fuel drain on the Chevrolet Suburban after a drive, and so does whether it was AdBlue or petrol. Ring with those details and then we can explain what the work will need.
Petrol in a diesel Chevrolet Suburban: common questions after a drive
Is my Suburban ruined?
It is very unlikely to be. If the vehicle is stopped soon, draining and cleaning the system is what we do wherever you've pulled up, and harm that lasts is uncommon after that.
Can I drive the vehicle home first?
Our guidance is not to. We can drain the Suburban right where it is, so it does not need moving, and each mile driven on contaminated fuel would push it further through your fuel system.
Stalled, and it will not restart: what should I do next?
Please leave the vehicle rather than having another go, as each try pulls more of that mixture through. With it emptied and rinsed and clean diesel in, we prime your fuel system and get it started for you.
Does the version of my Suburban make a difference?
Knowing which of the 2 diesel versions of the Suburban you have helps us when you call, and it's on the badge on the tailgate.
Wrong fuel in my Chevrolet Suburban: does insurance cover it?
Some insurance policies have misfuelling cover, and so it's worth checking yours once the vehicle is dealt with. We come out either way.