What Happens If Urea is Accidentally Added to the Diesel Tank?
4 Answers
Here is an introduction to the consequences of accidentally adding urea to the diesel tank: 1. Clogging the after-treatment system: Diesel and carbon soot from the exhaust will gradually clog the after-treatment system. 2. Explosion: Diesel may combust or even explode inside the exhaust pipe. Below is extended information about automotive urea: 1. Kelas: The first professional brand in China specializing in the production of automotive urea, known for stable and reliable quality, with self-built sales channels nationwide. 2. Yuetai Hailong: A brand under Sinopec, commonly seen in 20kg products, available at various Sinopec gas stations. The product quality is unstable, and the price is relatively low. 3. Kunlun Star: A brand under PetroChina, with weaker distribution channels compared to Sinopec, but the product quality is decent and the price is moderate. 4. The role of automotive urea: When nitrogen oxides are detected in the exhaust pipe, the urea tank automatically sprays diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). DEF and nitrogen oxides undergo redox reactions in the SCR catalytic reaction tank, producing non-polluting nitrogen and water vapor for emission.
I once chatted with a mechanic and learned that mistakenly adding urea to the diesel tank is really troublesome. Urea is supposed to be used in the small tank at the rear of the vehicle to reduce exhaust emissions, and it's not meant for the diesel tank. When mixed with fuel, it can solidify into clumps, blocking the fuel filter, pump, and injectors like rocks. As a result, the car may shake violently upon starting or even stall completely. The repair costs are quite high, requiring a thorough cleaning of the fuel tank and fuel lines, as well as replacing damaged filters or pumps, costing at least over a thousand yuan. Preventing this is simple: always check the fuel cap carefully at the gas station. Diesel tanks are usually black or clearly labeled, while urea tanks are blue. I always remind my friends not to be careless, as similar mistakes like using the wrong fuel can also cause trouble. However, the damage from urea appears much faster. If you suspect a mistake, don’t drive the car—call a tow truck immediately.
That time I witnessed a driver mistakenly pour urea into the diesel tank, causing the vehicle to break down after just a few miles. The reason was urea crystallization, which clogged the entire fuel system like paste—time-consuming and expensive to clean. Having experienced similar minor mistakes myself, I recommend always double-checking the positions when refueling. Keep the diesel tank and urea tank clearly separated, and don't rush at the expense of details. The long-term impact can be significant—engine damage could cost thousands in repairs and potentially shorten the vehicle's lifespan. Safety-wise, it's even riskier; a breakdown on the highway could easily lead to an accident. Now, I've made it a habit to check the cap labels twice at gas stations—it saves both hassle and money.
As a young person who frequents the car community, I have to say that mistakenly adding urea to the diesel tank is a nightmare. Urea is not fuel; mixing it in can cause crystallization and clog everything, making the engine shake violently or even stall. Act fast: don’t start the engine, and immediately call for a tow to get it repaired. The repair process involves completely draining and flushing the entire system, possibly replacing the pump or filter. To avoid mixing them up next time, remember that diesel caps are mostly black, while urea caps are blue—newbies, take extra care. There’s a lot of discussion about this online, reminding us not to suffer big losses over small mistakes.
