What is the most damaging thing to put in a diesel fuel tank?
2 Answers
Putting gasoline in a diesel fuel tank is the most damaging, adding water is even worse, and adding sugar can also damage the engine. Here are the relevant details: Working principle: Sugar dissolves in gasoline and then enters the engine through the fuel line. The high temperature inside will melt the sugar into a sludge that clogs every corner and crevice of the engine. The 'sugarization' problem: An engine affected by 'sugarization' will seize up and stall on the road, and when the engine cools down, the real damage begins as this 'sludge' hardens into a thick and dense mass. Contaminated gasoline: This usually has a significant impact on the vehicle. If the car is difficult to start, the engine idles with excessive vibration, produces abnormal noises, or stalls, it may be due to contaminated gasoline.
Water is absolutely the most treacherous thing in a diesel fuel tank. You might think adding a bit of water is no big deal, but diesel and water will separate, directly clogging the fuel lines and filters. My pickup truck fell victim to this—during rainy weather, the fuel cap wasn’t tightened properly, letting water seep in. The engine started shuddering like a tractor, and in the end, I had to replace the entire fuel pump. Diesel already contains trace amounts of water, so pouring more in is practically a death sentence for the fuel injectors, and repairs can cost thousands. Now, I always check the fuel cap’s seal before refueling—I can’t afford to make that mistake again.
