What to Do If a Gasoline Car is Filled with Diesel?
3 Answers
If a gasoline car is filled with diesel, to avoid engine damage, it is best to drain all the fuel from the tank, clean it thoroughly, and then refill with the appropriate oil for the vehicle. Here is some relevant information: 1. Studies have shown that if the proportion of diesel added to gasoline does not exceed 5%, it generally does not cause significant damage to the engine. However, as the proportion of diesel increases, knocking and stalling may occur quickly, and in severe cases, it can lead to cylinder scoring. 2. The working conditions of gasoline engines differ from those of diesel engines. Gasoline has a lower ignition point, and gasoline cars typically ignite the air-fuel mixture via spark plugs, with lower cylinder pressure. Diesel cars, on the other hand, compress diesel fuel through a fuel injection pump to produce high-pressure diesel, which is then injected into the cylinder via the fuel injector, resulting in higher cylinder pressure, rougher operation, and larger clearance gaps. Therefore, the requirements for oil differ between gasoline and diesel engines. Gasoline engines require thinner oil with better fluidity, while diesel engines operate under higher pressure and harsher conditions, producing more carbon deposits, thus requiring oil with stronger cleaning capabilities, larger clearances, and thicker viscosity. Hence, gasoline cars should not use diesel engine oil.
Having driven for so many years, I've seen many people mistakenly put diesel into a gasoline car. That time, my friend made this mistake and panicked! If you accidentally fill up with diesel, the first thing is to absolutely not start the engine—igniting it will mix diesel into the system, damaging the fuel injectors or even the entire engine. Quickly park the car and call for a tow truck to take it to a professional repair shop. They'll need to drain the fuel tank first, then clean the fuel lines and filters thoroughly, and possibly replace some parts—spending around a thousand bucks is normal. Make sure to find a reliable shop for the job; don't cut corners to save money or hassle. Learn from the experience: always check the color labels on diesel and gasoline nozzles when refueling, and take your time to avoid such trouble. The lesson here is that safety is more important than anything else.
As a car enthusiast, I know gasoline engines are designed for lighter fuel, while diesel is thicker and harder to ignite. If mistakenly added, the diesel just sits in the tank if the engine isn't started; but once started, diesel gets pumped into the system causing blockages and corroding parts. It's advised to immediately turn off the engine and use an app to call a tow truck to the repair shop. The repair process includes draining the fuel, cleaning the tank and the entire fuel supply line, and possibly replacing injectors or filters, with costs ranging from a few hundred to two thousand depending on the situation. Prevention tip: stick a reminder note on the fuel cap or set a fuel alarm on your phone. In short, stay calm before acting to prevent the mistake from escalating.
