Most wrong fuel jobs are done in about 90 minutes to 2 hours, from your call to back on the road. Ben usually reaches you in around 60 minutes across Perth metro, and the drain and flush itself takes about 30 to 60 minutes for a normal car. Bigger tanks, or a car that has been driven on the wrong fuel, can take longer. The whole job happens where you are parked, so there is no tow and no workshop queue.
The timeline at a glance
- Your call: a couple of minutes to confirm where you are and what went in the tank
- Ben arrives: around 60 minutes in Perth metro, sooner if he is nearby
- Drain and flush: about 30 to 60 minutes for a standard car
- Fresh fuel and a test: a few minutes to put clean fuel in and check it runs
How long until help arrives?
For most jobs in the Perth metro area, Ben is with you in around an hour. The exact time depends on how far you are and what the roads are doing. We run 24/7, so a 2am call still gets answered. If you are stuck somewhere unsafe, like a tight servo forecourt or a live traffic lane, say so on the phone and we will talk you through staying safe while you wait.
How long does the drain itself take?
For a standard car with one tank, the drain and flush is usually 30 to 60 minutes. Ben pumps the contaminated fuel out, flushes the lines so no wrong fuel is left behind, then puts in enough clean fuel to get you going and checks the car starts and runs. You drive away on your own fuel, not on a tow truck.
What makes wrong fuel recovery take longer?
A few things stretch the job out past the usual hour:
- Big or dual tanks. 4WDs, utes, trucks, and caravan tow vehicles hold a lot more fuel, so there is more to pump out.
- You drove on it. Once the engine has run, the wrong fuel spreads past the tank into the lines, filter, and injectors, so the flush takes longer.
- Tight access. A car wedged into a small bay or a hard-to-reach spot slows the setup.
- Heavy contamination. A full tank of the wrong fuel takes longer than a splash on top of the right one.
If you have already driven, watch for the usual wrong fuel symptoms like rough running, smoke, or a loss of power, and stop driving straight away. The sooner the engine stops, the less damage and the quicker the fix.
Do I have to wait with the car?
Yes, please stay with the vehicle if it is safe to do so. Ben needs you there to confirm the keys, the fuel that went in, and to drive away once it is sorted. If you are somewhere risky, get yourself to a safe spot nearby and keep your phone on.
Can I help it go faster?
Three things speed everything up. Do not start the engine or even turn the key to the "on" position. Remember which fuel went in and roughly how much. And if you can, leave clear space around the fuel filler so Ben can get straight to work when he arrives.
Frequently asked questions
How long does wrong fuel recovery take on average?
About 90 minutes to 2 hours in total for a normal car in Perth. That is the time from your first call to driving away on clean fuel.
Is it faster than a tow to a workshop?
Usually, yes. A tow means waiting for the truck, riding to a workshop, then waiting in their queue for the drain. A mobile service does the whole job where you are parked, often before a tow would have even dropped you off.
Do you work at night and on weekends?
Yes. We are 24/7, every day. Wrong fuel does not wait for business hours, and neither do we.
What if I am out past the metro area?
Call and tell us where you are. We cover Perth metro and a fair way beyond. If you are remote, the arrival time will be longer, but the drain and flush takes about the same once Ben is on site.
Stuck right now?
Leave the car where it is, do not start it, and call Ben. The clock starts the moment you call, and most drivers are back on the road inside 2 hours. For more on the first steps, read what to do if you fill up with the wrong fuel.
