What Happens If You Put Diesel in a Gasoline Car?
4 Answers
It can cause severe damage to the vehicle. The specific hazards are as follows: 1. Carbon buildup in the engine: If diesel is added to a gasoline car and the engine is started, the fuel injectors may not provide enough pressure, causing the diesel to only partially atomize. The unburned diesel enters the cylinder in liquid form, leading to incomplete combustion, carbon buildup, and clogged fuel injectors. 2. Engine knocking: After diesel is added to a gasoline engine, the high-pressure fuel-air mixture may reach its auto-ignition temperature before the spark plug fires, resulting in violent combustion. This causes abnormal pressure in the combustion chamber, commonly known as knocking, which damages the engine. In severe cases, it may lead to cylinder scoring.
I once encountered a situation where a driver accidentally filled a gasoline car with diesel, and the car wouldn't start at all, making crackling and knocking sounds. Diesel is thicker than gasoline and can clog the fuel injectors by sticking in the fuel system. Long-term use can scrape the piston rings and damage the engine. I advised stopping the car immediately and not forcing it to run, then calling a tow truck to send it to a repair shop for a thorough cleaning of the entire system, including the fuel tank and fuel lines. This usually costs over a thousand yuan, and contaminated parts may need to be replaced. This mistake often happens when drivers are tired and mistakenly grab the wrong fuel nozzle. After repairs, the car's performance might not fully recover, so I've made it a habit to double-check the fuel grade label before refueling to avoid a costly mistake.
That time my friend went on a road trip in his compact car and absentmindedly filled up with diesel at the gas station. Shortly after hitting the road, he noticed something was wrong - the car started shaking violently before stalling, with all dashboard warning lights illuminated. Diesel fuel doesn't combust properly in gasoline engines, leading to carbon buildup and fuel pump damage. It took two hours for the tow truck to arrive, and cleaning the fuel tank at the repair shop cost over 2,000 yuan, not to mention ruining the vacation. That incident taught me you must stay focused when refueling - never cut corners. Now I always double-check the pump colors (gasoline pumps are usually red, diesel black). If you accidentally fill wrong, don't start the engine - contact a repair shop immediately. Preventing small mistakes can save you from big troubles.
From the perspective of automotive principles, gasoline engines rely on spark plugs for ignition, while diesel requires compression for auto-ignition. When a car is filled with diesel, the compression ratio is insufficient, leading to incomplete combustion and causing knocking, or even contaminating sensors and affecting the engine control unit. The high viscosity of diesel can easily clog the fuel pump filter, reducing pressure and making the vehicle difficult to start. Long-term use can lead to exhaust system failures, increasing maintenance costs. It is recommended to stop the vehicle immediately if the wrong fuel is added and avoid driving to prevent safety hazards.
