I put the wrong fuel in my car. Help!?

Question

I have a 2001 Saturn SL-2 with a manual transmission and a 10 gallon tank. I put 6 gallons of ethanol in it by accident. What should I do? Is it safe to fill it the rest of the way with regular fuel and run it or will that do damage to my fuel system/engine? Do I need to have my tank drained and my system flushed?

I understand that prolonged use of ethanol will damage the rubber parts of my engine. My question is will one half tank be enough to do damage? Will the ethanol really screw up my fuel injectors on contact? I'm pretty sure my car has electronic fuel injection, and an O2 sensor that adjusts oxygen to fuel mixture.... 

Also, I already had to start it to drive away from the pump. I moved less than 20 feet. Is that going to be a problem?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

E- 85 won't hurt your car. It is 1 part ethanol and 9 parts gas. If you put another 4 gallons of gas in the ethanol content is even lower. To be safe you might want to keep filling up as you drive to add more gas in there. It will probably run a little lean and you will notice less power, but you won't hurt the car at all. It is continuous use that would degrade rubber seals, etc.

Hsiang T · Answer

I would fill it up all the way with regular gas, and try to drive as much as possible to burn through that tank as fast as possible. 
High concentrations of Ethanol may eat through the lines and other seals, but usually only prolonged exposure (time not necessarily volume).
One tank shouldn't be bad if you can get through it quickly, and not let it sit in the system, plus diluted with the remaining 4gallons of regular is really E-50 or so.

glen t · Answer

with E-85 I would check with dealer they may have you drain your fuel tank  it is a blend of 15% gasoline and 85% denatured fuel ethanol not 1 to 9 like was stated in a answer above

Anonymous · Answer

I put ethanol into my car and It only runs on regular petrol . I could tell no difference at all . Now diesel that's an iffy .

Alfonso · Answer

Nothing will happen but if youdont feel conferable continue useing the gas you usally use but nothing will happen you can buy an  injector fluid cleaner $5 or less

I put the wrong fuel in my car. Help!?

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