What Happens If You Put Diesel in a Gasoline Car?
3 Answers
Putting diesel in a gasoline car can cause symptoms such as engine shaking, black smoke from the exhaust, or even failure to start the engine. Differences between diesel and gasoline: 1. Gasoline is highly volatile, while diesel is difficult to evaporate: Gasoline vehicles emit fuel evaporation pollutants. 2. Gasoline mixes easily with air and does not separate easily: Gasoline molecules are smaller, whereas diesel mixes unevenly with air, inevitably leading to localized oxygen deficiency or excess. When fuel burns at high temperatures with insufficient oxygen, it tends to carbonize and form soot. Diesel combustion also produces some odorous organic gases, which is why diesel engine emissions have a distinct smell. 3. Diesel has higher energy density: Diesel does not require a spark plug and ignites under high pressure, making it more efficient but also heavier and noisier. Gasoline requires ignition, so gasoline engines are smaller and quieter. 4. They smell different: Gasoline has a pungent odor, while diesel has a milder smell. 5. They differ in color: Gasoline is light-colored, while diesel is darker. Diesel is mainly used in trucks; diesel engines rely on compression ignition and operate at relatively low speeds, resulting in lower power compared to gasoline engines and slower vehicle speeds. Gasoline is primarily used in passenger cars; gasoline engines use spark ignition, and their compression ratios are generally lower, typically ranging from 8-11 for naturally aspirated engines and not exceeding 14 for turbocharged ones.
I remember once in a hurry at the gas station, I accidentally filled my gasoline car with diesel. After starting, the engine shook violently and stalled, making it impossible to drive. Gasoline engines rely on spark plugs for ignition, while diesel has higher viscosity and a different ignition point, making it unable to burn properly. It only clogs the fuel injectors and damages the fuel system. Forcing to drive could lead to engine failure, costing a lot for major repairs. Prevention is simple: take your time when refueling, check the pump labels or confirm with the staff. If a mistake happens, stop the car immediately without starting it, call a tow truck to take it to a professional repair shop for fuel system cleaning. Don’t attempt a DIY fix—safety first.
Working in an auto repair shop for a long time, it's common to see customers calling for a tow truck due to filling up with the wrong diesel fuel. Gasoline cars are designed for petrol, and when diesel gets in, its higher density and slower flow can cause poor fuel injection, leading to difficulty starting the engine or unstable operation. Even worse, incomplete combustion of diesel produces excessive carbon deposits, damaging the catalytic converter, and repairs involving part replacements can be costly. It's advised to stop the engine immediately upon discovery, call for a tow truck without attempting to start the car, and ensure a thorough cleaning of the fuel system and inspection of components during repairs. Develop a habit of double-checking the fuel type before refueling—taking a few extra seconds can save you from major troubles.
