Quote:
Originally Posted by init4fun
Put gasoline into a Diesel engine's tank and the usual end result is the engine gets damaged by the more volatile fuel , I wouldn't be surprised if the next you hear from your neighbor is how the new Lexus now needs a new engine  |
It depends on how much diesel vs. gas is in the tank. Mostly gas on an older diesel (like my 91 Benz)? No big deal... the car would just stop running. But if it was closer to 50/50 the engine might still run... and you'd likely burn through the prechambers or pistons. If you had just a little gas it wouldn't hurt anything - in fact in the 70s MB suggested mixing some gas into the fuel tank to help prevent fuel gelling at very cold temps. The inline fuel pump is lubricated with engine oil and is rather robust.
https://imgur.com/gallery/1THlMRp
On a newer diesel, like our prior '12 Passat TDI, the fuel is what lubricates the 28,000 PSI high pressure pump. Adding a little gas destroys the lubricity of the fuel, and the pump will self destruct and fill the whole fuel system with metal shavings
-J