Sylvie Willis
Putting diesel fuel in a gas engine is a more common mistake than one might think, and it can have severe consequences. The chemical properties of diesel and gasoline are different, with diesel being heavier and oilier, and having a higher auto-ignition temperature. This means that diesel will not combust in a gasoline engine, leading to engine malfunction. The density of diesel is also higher, so it will sink to the bottom of the gas tank and enter the engine, while gasoline rises. This can cause the engine to stall and carbon deposits to form on the spark plugs. The diesel can also clog the fuel injectors, causing the engine to seize. If you accidentally put diesel in your gas tank, it is important to not start the vehicle and to get the diesel drained as soon as possible.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What happens when diesel is put in a gas engine? | Diesel can clog a gas engine's fuel filters, causing cylinder and timing problems. It can also damage the engine, sometimes irreparably. |
| What should be done if diesel is put in a gas engine? | The general consensus is to not start the vehicle under any circumstances. Instead, the vehicle should be towed to a garage for fuel drainage. Draining the tank and putting fresh gas in the vehicle may also be a solution. |
| Why should diesel not be put in a gas engine? | Gasoline and diesel engines are designed to operate using only their specific fuel type. Diesel fuel is thicker and denser than gasoline, which can cause issues with the fuel pump and fuel filter. |
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What You'll Learn
What to do if you put diesel in a gas engine
Putting diesel in a gas engine can lead to serious engine damage. Diesel is thicker and more viscous than gasoline, which can clog and damage a gas engine’s components. If you catch yourself putting diesel in a gas engine, do not start the engine. Mixing the two fuels is not dangerous, but allowing the diesel into the fuel lines can cause damage. Call a dealership or repair shop for help. They will drain and clean the tank to remove the diesel and its residue. If you drive the car with diesel in the tank, further repairs may be necessary.
If you have already driven the car with diesel in the tank, you may need to flush the fuel line, service the fuel injector system, check the fuel pump for damage, replace the fuel filter, and replace the spark plugs.
If you have not yet driven the car, you can try draining the tank yourself. You can use a fuel pump to pump out the diesel and then put fresh gas in the tank. You may need to start it with throttle body cleaner in the intake. Once it starts, it should run. Take it for a drive as soon as possible to ensure it is running properly.
If you are unable to drain the tank yourself, call a mechanic. They will be able to drain and rinse the gas tank to remove the diesel and its residue.
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How to identify if diesel has been put in a gas engine
Putting diesel in a gas engine can lead to serious engine damage. If you suspect diesel has been put in a gas engine, do not start the engine and call a dealership or repair shop for help. They will drain and clean the tank to remove the diesel and its residue. Here are some ways to identify if diesel has been put in a gas engine:
- One of the easiest ways to tell if your car runs on diesel or gas is to check for stickers. These are often found on the car key, dashboard, fuel cap cover, or fuel gauge. Messages on these stickers are usually straightforward and will read something like ‘Unleaded Gas Only’ or ‘Diesel Only’.
- The model name of the car can sometimes indicate the type of fuel it uses. Many diesel cars have labels like 'D’, ‘TDI’, ‘HDi’, ‘GTD’, ‘dCi’, ‘JTD’, or similar variations. For example, if your car is a Volkswagen Golf TDI, the ‘TDI’ in the model name indicates that the car has a Turbocharged Direct Injection diesel engine. However, this is not a rule of thumb, and the ‘D’ in the model name may indicate another feature.
- Diesel nozzles are thicker than gas nozzles. If you’re struggling to insert a diesel nozzle into the fuel tank, it’s probably a gas car. However, a gas nozzle can fit into a diesel car's tank, so this method is not foolproof.
- Diesel is thicker and more viscous than gasoline. If diesel has been put into a gas engine, it will clog the fuel injectors and spark plugs, and the vehicle may misfire, stall, or not start at all.
- A diesel car has a glowplug (heating device) indicator that is supposed to light up when you ignite a cold engine. Turn the key to the 'on' position without igniting it and check if a glowplug indicator is present. If you see one, then it is a diesel car.
- Diesel engines do not have spark plugs, while gasoline engines do.
- The rev meter can sometimes help identify the kind of fuel the car runs on. In most cases, the red area begins at around 6000 on petrol cars, and 4500-5000 on diesel cars.
- The sound of the engine can be an effective way to distinguish between gasoline and diesel cars. Diesel engines produce a distinct tractor-like sound compared to the smoother noise of petrol engines. However, modern diesel vehicles may not make such noises.
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Differences in the chemical properties of diesel and gas
Diesel and gasoline (also known as petrol) are both derived from petroleum, but they have distinct chemical compositions that influence how they are used in engines.
Gasoline is a lightweight and volatile fuel primarily composed of short-chain hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons are molecules consisting of carbon and hydrogen atoms, with relatively short chains of one to four or five carbon atoms. Short-chain hydrocarbons are less dense and easily ignite when exposed to a spark, making gasoline ideal for spark-ignition engines.
On the other hand, diesel is composed of about 75% saturated hydrocarbons (mainly paraffins) and 25% aromatic hydrocarbons (including naphthalenes and alkylbenzenes). Diesel primarily consists of long-chain hydrocarbons, which are heavier and less volatile than those found in gasoline. Due to their higher density, diesel requires higher compression and temperatures to ignite spontaneously, through a process called compression ignition or spontaneous ignition. This is how diesel engines operate, through combustion via compression rather than a spark.
The octane and cetane numbers of gasoline and diesel, respectively, substantially affect their performance. Gasoline fuels should have high ignition resistance, while diesel fuels should have good self-ignition properties.
The distillation process for gasoline occurs between 40 and 200°C, while diesel fuel is obtained between 200 and 425°C. Gasoline has a higher volatility than diesel, due to its base constituents and additives. Gasoline contains about 34.6 megajoules per litre, while diesel contains approximately 38.6 megajoules per litre, giving diesel higher power.
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Short-term vs long-term effects of diesel in a gas engine
While some sources claim that diesel fuel will not hurt gasoline engines, others disagree and warn of serious damage to the engine. The discrepancy may be due to the fact that the extent of the damage depends on the mixture of diesel and gas, as well as how long the engine has been running with this mixture.
Short-term effects
In the short term, a gasoline engine with diesel fuel may experience cylinder and timing problems, as gas engines do not have enough heat and compression for the diesel to ignite correctly. This can cause the engine to stall. In addition, diesel can clog a gas engine's fuel filters.
Long-term effects
The long-term effects of diesel fuel in a gasoline engine include serious knocking, which can cause serious damage to the engine. Diesel fuel can also gunk up spark plugs and other components, leading to carbon fouling and/or lean mixture fouling.
To resolve the issue of diesel fuel in a gas engine, it is recommended to drain the tank and replace the fuel with fresh gas. Some sources suggest performing a full service, including replacing the fuel filter and spark plugs, as well as running a fuel system cleaner through the tank.
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How to prevent putting diesel in a gas engine
Putting diesel in a gas engine can cause serious engine damage. Diesel is thicker and more viscous than gasoline, which can clog and damage a gas engine's components. Therefore, it is important to know how to prevent putting diesel in a gas engine. Here are some ways to do that:
Know the Differences
Diesel and gasoline have distinct characteristics. Diesel smells like kerosene, while gasoline smells more like paint thinner. Diesel pumps usually have green handles and larger nozzles compared to gasoline pumps. Knowing these differences can help you stay vigilant and prevent accidentally mixing fuels.
Be Cautious at the Pump
When filling up your vehicle, take your time and be cautious to ensure you are using the correct fuel type. Double-check that you have selected the correct pump and that the nozzle fits securely into your vehicle's fuel tank opening.
Maintain Fuel Purity
Fuel contamination can occur at the distributor level, potentially causing problems for thousands of drivers. Choose reputable fuel stations and stay informed about any reports of fuel contamination in your area.
Mark Your Fuel Containers
If you store fuel for your vehicle, clearly label the containers to avoid confusion. Marking them as "diesel" or "gasoline" can serve as a visual reminder to prevent accidental mixing.
Educate Others
If multiple people have access to your vehicle, ensure they are aware of the correct fuel type. Communicate the importance of fuel type specificity and provide them with information on how to identify the correct fuel pump and nozzle.
By following these precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidentally putting diesel in a gas engine. Remember, human error can occur, but staying vigilant and informed can help prevent costly and time-consuming mistakes.
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Frequently asked questions
If you put diesel fuel in a gas engine, do not start the vehicle under any circumstances. Have your vehicle towed to a garage for fuel drainage right away. Then, the tank should be flushed and refilled with fresh gas.
If you start the engine, the diesel fuel will enter the fuel line and engine system, which will cause serious knocking and stalling. This will make the repair process far more complicated and costly.
The vehicle will stop responding to the gas pedal. The engine will start knocking and stalling. There will be a lot of white smoke.
The diesel will clog the fuel injectors, making them inoperable. This will result in the engine seizing.
