What to Do If a Gasoline Car Accidentally Adds a Little Diesel?
4 Answers
Gasoline car added a little diesel solution is: do not continue to drive, because this will lead to the entire fuel system damage and even make the engine scrapped, the correct approach is to tow the car to the repair shop for maintenance, and all the old oil discharge clean, and the entire fuel system thoroughly cleaned. The hazards of accidentally adding diesel are: 1, leading to the nozzle clogging, unable to atomize; 2, easy to form carbon deposits; 3, easy to damage the fuel pump, so that the lubrication and heat dissipation of the fuel pump can not be carried out well, and soon will be damaged; 3, easy to damage the engine. Because the characteristics of diesel is that the carbon content is much higher than that of gasoline, so the ignition point of diesel is much lower than that of gasoline, easier to burn than gasoline, the engine is more likely to form carbon deposits, reaching a certain number will have the phenomenon of jitter and detonation.
Last time at the gas station, I accidentally pumped the wrong fuel—diesel got mixed into my gasoline car's tank, which scared me stiff. Whatever you do, don't start the engine! Diesel has a higher ignition point than gasoline, and starting the car directly can clog the fuel injectors and damage the catalytic converter, leading to expensive repairs. I immediately turned off the engine, got out of the car, and called for a tow truck to take it to the repair shop. The mechanic drained the tank completely, even disassembled and cleaned the fuel pump, and finally replaced the gasoline filter. If only a small capful of diesel was mixed in, maybe just draining the tank could suffice, but to be safe, a thorough cleaning is recommended. This whole ordeal cost me about seven or eight hundred bucks—way cheaper than a major engine overhaul.
I often encounter such cases in auto repair shops. Misfueling a gasoline car with diesel requires different handling approaches. If the vehicle hasn't been started yet, simply call a tow truck to transport it to the repair shop, where they'll drain the tank and clean the fuel lines - this typically costs around 400-500 RMB. If the driver has already hit the road and notices power loss or black smoke from the exhaust, they should immediately pull over and turn off the engine to prevent diesel from reaching the high-pressure injectors. In this scenario, repairs become more complicated, requiring disassembly and cleaning of the entire fuel delivery system, with costs starting from 2,000-3,000 RMB. I once dealt with an unfortunate owner who stubbornly drove until the engine stalled, ultimately causing piston rings to seize - the engine overhaul cost nearly 10,000 RMB. Remember to keep the fuel receipt, as some insurance policies may cover such operational errors.
I witnessed firsthand the disastrous consequences when my neighbor accidentally mixed diesel into a gasoline car—the Honda broke down right at the gas station. The golden rule is to prevent diesel from entering the engine! Immediately turn off the ignition and engage the handbrake. If the mistake is caught early and the diesel ratio in the tank is low, calling a professional technician for on-site fuel extraction is the easiest solution. However, if the car has been driven a few hundred meters, diesel may have already entered the fuel lines, requiring a thorough cleaning at the repair shop. The cleaning process involves three steps: removing the fuel tank, flushing the fuel lines, and replacing the fuel filter. Afterward, remember to add fuel additives for the first two refills to help dissolve residual impurities. Ignore online advice about diluting with gasoline as a DIY fix—mixed fuels can severely damage the engine.
