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Diesel in a Petrol Outboard
Diesel in a petrol outboard or sterndrive will not ignite cleanly. It fouls the spark plugs, gums up the carburettor or injectors, and leaves the engine smoking, misfiring, and gutless. While diesel in petrol is generally less catastrophic than petrol in diesel, on a small outboard it can still mean a stripped fuel system and a long paddle home if you keep trying to run it.
Call Now: 0800 769 00024/7 marine fuel recovery — nationwide
What to Look For
Heavy white smoke and a diesel smell
Engine misfires, runs rough, or will not idle
Hard starting or repeated stalling
Loss of power leaving the marina or ramp
Common Causes
Wrong bowser at the fuel dock
Grabbing the diesel nozzle on a busy marina fuel jetty.
Jerry can mix-up
Carrying both petrol and diesel aboard for a tender and main engine.
What to Do — and What Not to Do
Do
- Stop the engine immediately
- Keep it off and secure the boat
- Estimate the quantity added
- Call EEK on 0800 769 000
Don't
- Start, crank, or run the engine
- Attempt to burn off contaminated fuel by running it
- Top up the oil or fuel before the system is assessed
- Motor the vessel back to the ramp under its own power
- Pump contaminated fuel overboard — it is an environmental offence
How Recovery Works
1.Call 0800 769 000 — do not start or run the engine
2.We confirm the vessel name, location (marina and berth), and what happened
3.A certified marine technician is dispatched to the vessel
4.Contamination assessed and the affected fuel or oil system isolated
5.Contaminated fuel or oil drained and captured for compliant disposal
6.Fuel or oil system flushed and filters replaced
7.System refilled to manufacturer specification and the engine checked
8.Insurance report generated on request