Can you get fuel sensors to detect the right kind of fuel for a car?

[[email protected]]

I know someone who has filled up his diesel car with petrol twice, and
I think it would be a good idea to put a sensor in the tank that would
stop him driving off and wrecking his engine. There may be an
after-market market for this.

The least it should do is sound a warning alarm. Are there cars with
this already?

There may be safety considerations to stop the sensor working when it
the car is being filled, since the car is meant to have ignition off
when filling up.

Converting pump nozzles to be smart pump nozzles is one idea, but it
would need standardization to be effective, and by the time all the
petrol stations had converted, they would probably be selling hydrogen,
biodiesel or LPG anyway.

 

[Pooh Bear]

I know someone who has filled up his diesel car with petrol twice, and
I think it would be a good idea to put a sensor in the tank that would
stop him driving off and wrecking his engine. There may be an
after-market market for this.

I think if he / she can't tell the difference ( anyone actually *can* - they
just need to use that thing called a brain ) it would be easier and probably
better for road safety if they didn't drive a car. Maybe they can't tell green
from red either ?

Graham

 

[Tom Biasi]

I know someone who has filled up his diesel car with petrol twice, and
I think it would be a good idea to put a sensor in the tank that would
stop him driving off and wrecking his engine. There may be an
after-market market for this.

The least it should do is sound a warning alarm. Are there cars with
this already?

There may be safety considerations to stop the sensor working when it
the car is being filled, since the car is meant to have ignition off
when filling up.

Converting pump nozzles to be smart pump nozzles is one idea, but it
would need standardization to be effective, and by the time all the
petrol stations had converted, they would probably be selling hydrogen,
biodiesel or LPG anyway.

As "The Bear" said, the best sensor is the human brain.
Since you used the word "petrol" I will assume you are not in the USA.
In the USA, the filler areas clearly state "Diesel Fuel Only" and its not
that hard to read "Diesel" on a pump.

So, after my rant, the sensor would add considerable cost to the vehicle for
a purpose that is not necessary.
The key words to this particular situation are "filled up his diesel car
with petrol twice", notice the "twice".
Tom

 

[[email protected]]

I know someone who has filled up his diesel car with petrol twice, and
I think it would be a good idea to put a sensor in the tank that would
stop him driving off and wrecking his engine. There may be an
after-market market for this.

The least it should do is sound a warning alarm. Are there cars with
this already?

There may be safety considerations to stop the sensor working when it
the car is being filled, since the car is meant to have ignition off
when filling up.

Converting pump nozzles to be smart pump nozzles is one idea, but it
would need standardization to be effective, and by the time all the
petrol stations had converted, they would probably be selling hydrogen,
biodiesel or LPG anyway.

It seems like a good idea to me. A sensor that
can tell the difference between petrol and diesel
that quickly closes a valve to prevent it even
getting into the tank would be a good idea.

There are gas sensors used in boats to detect
vapors to prevent them reaching a level where
there could be an explosion.

The "brain" as a sensor, as a suggested by two
other posters has not proved all that reliable.

When we changed from leaded to unleaded petrol
the size of the nozzle and inlet where made
smaller so you couldn't accidentally use leaded
fuel.

 

[Michael A. Terrell]

I think if he / she can't tell the difference ( anyone actually *can* - they
just need to use that thing called a brain ) it would be easier and probably
better for road safety if they didn't drive a car. Maybe they can't tell green
from red either ?

Graham

Can't you smell the difference?


--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida

 

[Pooh Bear]

The "brain" as a sensor, as a suggested by two other posters has not proved
all that reliable.

It's reliable for 99.999% of ppl.

Graham

 

[kell]

It's reliable for 99.999% of ppl.

Graham

You should know.

 

[Archilochus]

So, after my rant, the sensor would add considerable cost to the vehicle for
a purpose that is not necessary.
The key words to this particular situation are "filled up his diesel car
with petrol twice", notice the "twice".
Tom

My sister was borrowing a diesel truck from a neighbor - as she was
preparing to leave, she says "I'll get a full tank of gas before I
bring it back". I turned to her and said DIESEL! NO GAS! - and made her
repeat it back.
A lot of people go to the "gas station" and get "gas". To them, diesel
is something exotic used in those big loud trucks with all the extra
wheels. Reading the notices and signs isn't in their program.
So maybe a sensor - if not too expensive - would be a good addition.

Arch

 

[John Popelish]

I know someone who has filled up his diesel car with petrol twice, and
I think it would be a good idea to put a sensor in the tank that would
stop him driving off and wrecking his engine. There may be an
after-market market for this.

(snip)

Did this person damage his engine after he filled the tank with
petrol, twice? As I understand it, the petrol is not that hard on the
engine, but causes higher than normal wear on the injector pump, since
it isn't nearly as good a lubricant as diesel is.

I think he might just carry a quart or two of 2 cycle oil (the kind
you mix with petrol to lubricate 2 cycle engines). After he notices
that he has added petrol to his tank, he just has to add the
appropriate amount of lubricating oil, and smell funny till that tank
of fuel is burned.