Diesel in a Gas Car

[Rodraid]

I know someone who put 1/2 tank of diesel in a 2012 Nissan Sunny, car is in Trinidad. Similar to a Sentra. Got some help to drain 1/2 of tank and the car would start but would die after a while. A little white smoke would come from the tail pipe. Other than draining the rest of the diesel/gas mix from the tank and refilling with 100% gas what else will be needed? What are the estimated cost to fix it?

Thanks,
Rod

 

[Cardenio327]

Once you've drained most of it [no need to drain all] fill it to the top with quality premium gasoline and change the spark plugs. I'll assume it's in Trinidad the country, so be sure to use the exact new spark plug that the spark plug catalog indicates for that exact car model and year. If Trinidad is anything like Mexico the typical mechanic will put any spark plug in any car as long as the thread is the same, not worrying one bit about reach, heat range or tip design. Then just drive the car, the only caution being that every time the engine is started to be sure to drive it until it is fully warmed up each time. Once that tank is used up, fill it once more with quality premium and you're done! The diesel might foul the catalytic converter a little if it is equipped with one.

 

[RiceCake]

I would just refill often, to dilute the diesel out, with premium gas since diesel has a very very low octane value. It can bugger up the cat and could cause damage from predetonation if the octane gets bad enough.

I wouldn't change plugs or anything, you can get plug fouling easy though, so its something to watch. Dilute, dilute, dilute, thats what I'd be doing first and foremost. From there its hard to say. Generally speaking if you get the diesel out and throw gas in, and nothing has been damaged, you're generally home free.

 

[Texan4Life]

Originally Posted By: RiceCake
I would just refill often, to dilute the diesel out, with premium gas since diesel has a very very low octane value. It can bugger up the cat and could cause damage from predetonation if the octane gets bad enough.

I wouldn't change plugs or anything, you can get plug fouling easy though, so its something to watch. Dilute, dilute, dilute, thats what I'd be doing first and foremost. From there its hard to say. Generally speaking if you get the diesel out and throw gas in, and nothing has been damaged, you're generally home free.


+1

my .02

 

[TFB1]

Originally Posted By: Texan4Life
Originally Posted By: RiceCake
I would just refill often, to dilute the diesel out, with premium gas since diesel has a very very low octane value. It can bugger up the cat and could cause damage from predetonation if the octane gets bad enough.

I wouldn't change plugs or anything, you can get plug fouling easy though, so its something to watch. Dilute, dilute, dilute, thats what I'd be doing first and foremost. From there its hard to say. Generally speaking if you get the diesel out and throw gas in, and nothing has been damaged, you're generally home free.


+1

my .02


+2, happened to a friend who pumped approx 5 gal diesel into his V6 F-150 when he was over 250mi from home... I told him to finish fill with premium, take it easy and not let it spark knock(unfortunately it was a Sat night in bumbville, no service was avail till Monday)... That was probably eight years ago, the truck still runs fine...

 

[Thermo1223]

Ya in gasoline engines it isn't a big deal, the reverse can cause expensive almost immediate damage in today's diesel engines.

 

[antonmnster]

I'd just try to dilute it but it's really not a big deal. If it runs OK it will probably set a CEL. Just for giggles I ran a Kohler 18-hp engine on 1:4 diesel/gas and it didn't seem to notice.

 

[jimbeamalki]

Ah, an old story to tell. About 13 years ago, big winter storm and 0 degrees out, daughter fills up 86 Tempo with diesel (everybody was gassing up due to the storm coming, and the pump with the green handle was the only thing not being used). We were poor and she was 120 miles away---filled up the gas cans at home and took off in my junk 79 Ranchero. Was draining the diesel into a ditch when a cop comes along and gives me 1/2 hour to move the vehicle. Storm was so bad he didn't notice what I was doing. Couldn't get it started, so hooked up the chain and towed it all the way back home to the dealer---needless to say daughter was a little cold by the time we made the 3 hour trip back since she was steering the Tempo with no heat.

 

[default]

Watch for fuel in the oil. Change the oil after that tank.