How to Start a Car After Filling With the Wrong Gas

Filling your car with the wrong gas can be detrimental for your engine. It could possibly ruin the fuel system, but can also cause problems with the carburettor and other engine components. If possible, do not drive the car until you have corrected the problem. Here are further steps.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver

Instructions

1. Notice the problem with your engine immediately. If there were no previous problems with the car, the symptoms should be obvious. It will stall or miss not long after refueling your car. You should always pay attention when getting fuel to avoid this problem.

2. Access the carburetor and fuel lines. This can be done by lifting the hood and removing the air filter housing. Do this by first removing the screws and lifting the housing out. This will expose the carburetor, so that you can access the fuel lines.

3. Locate the two fuel lines. One goes to the bottom of the fuel tank, the other is located near the top and returns the unused fuel to the tank. Notice if your fuel pump is electric or mechanical. Unhook the fuel line leading to the fuel filter. The other end connects to the carburetor, so disconnect it on this side.

4. Drain the fuel tank by forcing the tank to drain with a mechanical fuel pump, or putting the right gas in the carburetor to power the engine and run a electric fuel pump. Once the lines have drained, put the correct fuel in the tank and try to turn the engine over. This may take several tries. Once it starts, let it idle for a few minutes, then drive it to help clear out the rest of the incorrect fuel.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep a damp cloth nearby in case the carburetor catches on fire.