Put Diesel instead of Gasoline. How much could be the damage
 

Hi,
I accidently filled Diesel instead of Gasoline in my tank. The tank was close to empty when I filled and I have put around 10 Gallons of Diesel.
I realized my mistake after about 0.5 mile of driving when the engine started making a clucking sound. I stopped the car immediately and found it doesn't start any more.
(I didn't try many times, as obviously I could be ruining the engine).

Any idea how much damage could have been done ? Will it require any replacement of parts ?

-trayser

RE: Put Diesel instead of Gasoline. How much could be the damage
 

I recommend draining the tank and putting gas in and seeing if it starts most the time this is okay.

RE: Put Diesel instead of Gasoline. How much could be the damage
 

I used to work at a gas station. Someone actually put diesel from a can in their car on purpose just to get to the station for some gas. The car was running rough, but it made it.

RE: Put Diesel instead of Gasoline. How much could be the damage
 

Diesel is much less volatile than gasoline, so once you pushed all the gasoline out of the fuel lines to the engine, there was virtually no chance of the engine actually running on the diesel. You are going to need to getthe diesel out. The car can probably run with a small percentage of diesel mixed with the gasoline. Probably the best bet is to suck (NOT by mouth) as much out of the tank as possible.

Then put some gasoline in the tank and pump it through the fuel lines to purge them of the diesel. When you start getting gasoline at the engine again, connect it back up and see if it runs. It may start. I would change the fuel filter at that point, fill 'er up and you should be fine.

RE: Put Diesel instead of Gasoline. How much could be the damage
 

My additions to dcotter0579.

Have a charger available when you purge the lines. Take your time. It will probably take many revolutions to clear the fuel rails and injectors of the diesel even after you empty up to it. Don't expect instant success. Let it rest a bit between cranks instead of burning up your starter. Once gasoline is present it will fire. It'll smoke like h***, but it'll run. And DEFINITELY change the fuel filter, but not until you've purged the line.