Petrol in a Diesel Kia Cerato: Already Driven It?
If you have travelled on petrol in a diesel Kia Cerato, stop as soon as it's safe, switch the motor off and leave it off. Where you have stopped, we can still put it right, and damage that lasts is very rare once it is spotted early.
Petrol in Diesel travels out to wherever your Kia Cerato has ended up, drains the tank and flushes the petrol from your fuel system. We leave when it is running again on fresh diesel.
Spotting petrol in a diesel Cerato
It's often a few miles before the signs appear, as with petrol in your tank a diesel Cerato tends to run as usual at first. If the fuel tank has petrol or AdBlue in it, motorists normally spot these:
- the motor is short of power, particularly whenever it has to accelerate
- the idle gets erratic, or it runs roughly
- there's more smoke than normal from the tailpipe
- a warning lamp comes on
- it stalls, then may fail to restart
One of these starting after you fuelled up is a reason to look at your receipt to see what went in.
What driving does with wrong fuel in your Kia Cerato
Wrong fuel in your Kia Cerato sits in your tank until the motor pulls it out, and driving is what pulls it through your fuel filter, the injection pump and the fuel injectors. Petrol dilutes the diesel fuel that lubricates your pump and your fuel injectors as it runs through them, and running the Cerato further carries that mix into more of the fuel system.
That's why it is wiser to stop the moment you can than to finish the journey. Normally, a drain and a clean are all a car needs if it is stopped early, because what can cause harm is travelling far on fuel that is contaminated.
Right where you pulled over
The Cerato doesn't need moving anywhere. No tow has to be booked and there is no reason to restart it, because we come to it at the roadside or outside your home.
If you're beside a busy road, turn the hazard lights on then wait somewhere out of harm's way, clear of the traffic.
Roughly how far you travelled, which Cerato it is and where you have pulled up are what to mention when you ring 0333 366 0103. It helps too if the badge gives the version, such as the Cerato 2.0 CRDi.
After it has been driven: fuel drain on your Kia Cerato
After it was driven, a fuel drain on your Kia Cerato involves one step more than a drain on the forecourt. Draining your tank comes first. After that we open the fuel lines and flush them through with the fuel filter, until there's no petrol remaining between the fuel tank and the motor. Before our technicians leave, the engine is started to check it is running properly on clean diesel, after your fuel system has been primed.
After it has run: AdBlue in a diesel Kia Cerato
Look out for smoke, rough running and warning lights if AdBlue in a diesel Kia Cerato has been driven on, because the vehicle might also cut out. The fuel pump picks up fuel at the bottom of the tank, which is where AdBlue settles, and so it gets to your fuel line fast. It also doesn't burn or lubricate. Its water drying lets the urea form crystals in your fuel lines and your fuel filter.
AdBlue removal from a diesel Kia Cerato
We replace your fuel filter if it needs it during AdBlue removal from a diesel Kia Cerato after it's run, once your fuel tank is drained and the crystals are cleared out of the filter and the fuel lines.
Nothing here means switching off or removing the AdBlue system. It covers fluid in your diesel tank, and a dedicated AdBlue tank your Cerato has is left as it is.
The Kia Cerato fuel tank capacity and its engines
Our data show the diesel fuel tank holds 55 litres on each version of the Kia Cerato.
On this diesel Cerato, the versions carry CRDi badges.
Engine sizes go from 1.5 litres on the Cerato 1.5 CRDi to 2.0 litres on the Cerato 2.0 CRDi.
| Version | Fuel tank |
|---|---|
| Kia Cerato 1.5 CRDi | 55 litres |
| Kia Cerato 2.0 CRDi | 55 litres |
Fuel drain on the Kia Cerato after driving: what it costs
The price of a fuel drain on the Kia Cerato after it's been driven depends mainly on how far it travelled and where it has ended up, and whether it was petrol or AdBlue makes a difference too. Those details are what we need when you call, and with them we can explain what the work will involve.
Petrol in a diesel Kia Cerato: questions after driving
Has the petrol ruined my Cerato?
It is very unlikely to be. If the car is stopped soon, draining and cleaning the system is what we do where you have pulled up, and harm that lasts is rare after that.
Can I drive the car home first?
Our advice is not to. Each mile on contaminated fuel carries it further through the system, and we're able to drain the Cerato where it stands, so there is no need to shift it.
It will not restart after stalling. What now?
Leaving it alone is wiser than trying again, since every try pulls that blend further through. We get it started for you after draining and flushing it, putting clean diesel in and priming your system.
Does it matter which Cerato I own?
There are 2 diesel versions of the Cerato, and the badge on the tailgate shows which one you have. Knowing that assists us when you ring.
Wrong fuel in my Kia Cerato: will insurance cover it?
Misfuelling cover is included in some insurance policies, so do check yours once your car has been sorted. Either way, we come out.