What are the consequences of mistakenly adding diesel to a gasoline car?
2 Answers
If diesel is accidentally added to a gasoline car, it may result in symptoms such as engine shaking, black smoke from the exhaust, or even failure to start the engine. This happens because diesel requires a different compression ratio, fuel delivery method, and ignition system compared to gasoline engines, making them incompatible. Additional information: Differences between diesel and gasoline engines: 1. Injection method differs: Gasoline engines (except for direct-injection engines) mix gasoline with air before drawing it into the cylinder, while diesel engines directly inject diesel into the cylinder already filled with compressed air. 2. Ignition method differs: Diesel engines rely on compression for auto-ignition, whereas gasoline engines require spark plugs to ignite the air-fuel mixture. 3. Compression ratio differs: Diesel engines generally have a higher compression ratio than gasoline engines, resulting in greater expansion ratio and thermal efficiency, leading to lower fuel consumption compared to gasoline engines.
Oh, I almost made a big mistake once, but luckily the gas station attendant reminded me in time. Putting diesel into a gasoline car is a huge problem! Diesel has a lower ignition point and much higher viscosity than gasoline. Once poured in, the engine might not start at all, or it might roar like a tractor if it barely starts. The spark plugs can get contaminated and fail, and the entire fuel injection system might clog up. The car will feel sluggish, fuel consumption will skyrocket, and over time, it could even burn out the piston rings or ruin the engine. That day, a friend told me about his misfortune of accidentally adding some diesel, and it cost him thousands in repairs—draining the tank, replacing filters, the whole ordeal was a hassle. My advice is to always check the color-coded labels on the fuel pumps before refueling: green for gasoline, yellow for diesel. If you accidentally fill up with the wrong fuel, shut off the engine immediately and don’t drive—call a tow truck to take it to the repair shop, and never attempt to start it yourself. Safety first—don’t risk driving to save time.
