Putting gas in a diesel engine can cause serious damage to the engine and its parts. Gasoline-diesel fuel mixture ignites more easily, which could cause ignition within the engine, leading to an uncontrolled and mistimed detonation within the engine, which is like a small bomb going off. The diesel engine is not set up to handle it, and its parts will sustain damage. Gasoline will affect the fuel pump and diesel injectors because, unlike diesel, which is an oil, gasoline is a solvent and will react far differently in your engine. Gasoline’s lack of lubrication is to blame for much of the internal damage that occurs within injection pumps and injectors when gas is introduced into a diesel’s fuel system. The following are some of the consequences of putting gas in a diesel engine:

• Gasoline-diesel fuel mixture ignites more easily, which could cause ignition within the engine, leading to an uncontrolled and mistimed detonation within the engine, which is like a small bomb going off.
• Gasoline will affect the fuel pump and diesel injectors because, unlike diesel, which is an oil, gasoline is a solvent and will react far differently in your engine. Gasoline’s lack of lubrication is to blame for much of the internal damage that occurs within injection pumps and injectors when gas is introduced into a diesel’s fuel system.
• Gasoline will offset the molecular balance of diesel, which is far thicker than gasoline because it is made up of larger molecules and has a much higher flash point and autoignition temperature than gas. When gasoline mixes with diesel, the first thing it does is change its flash point. This means that the diesel fuel will have a lower flash point and prematurely ignite in the engine, which could lead to serious engine damage in the long run.

If you accidentally put gas in a diesel engine, the best thing to do is not to start the engine. Tow the car to a professional auto repair company to empty the diesel tank. If you have already started the engine, stop the engine immediately and tow the vehicle in to have the fuel drained from the system. Damage to the fuel injector may be permanent. However, a professional mechanic can determine which parts of the engine can be saved and rebuild the engine.