What Are the Consequences of Using Poor-Quality Fuel Once?
2 Answers
Using poor-quality fuel once can lead to the following consequences: 1. Clogging the fuel system: Poor-quality fuel often contains excessive impurities. When the engine is running, the fuel system becomes filled with this substandard fuel, and components such as the fuel pump filter, fuel filter, and injectors—which have small holes or filtering functions—can easily become clogged by the impurities in the fuel. This results in poor fuel delivery and reduced engine performance. 2. Carbon deposits: Impurities in the fuel usually exist in the form of gum-like substances. Even if they pass through the filtration system, they can accumulate in the intake valves, intake ducts, and cylinders, eventually forming hard carbon deposits over time. These deposits can absorb fuel, leading to improper fuel-air mixture and affecting engine operation. More seriously, gum-like substances can cause the valves to stick, and when the piston moves upward, it may collide with a valve that hasn't returned to its position, resulting in engine damage.
Just refueled with low-quality gasoline, and the car might experience quite a few issues. The engine is most prone to problems, such as knocking, which sounds like internal banging—this happens because low-quality fuel has a lower octane rating, causing incorrect ignition timing that can damage pistons or valves. If there are many impurities, they may clog the fuel injectors or filters, leading to weak acceleration or even stalling, which is especially dangerous at high speeds. In the short term, it might just reduce power slightly, but long-term use could harm the engine internals, such as carbon buildup affecting its lifespan. It's recommended to quickly add a tank of good fuel to dilute it or use a fuel system cleaner. When refueling, don’t just go for the cheapest option—choosing reliable branded stations is safer. One mistake can be costly, so caution is advised.
