Common questions

What happens if I drive my car with the wrong fuel?

What happens if I drive my car with the wrong fuel?

Once you mix petrol with the diesel that’s already in your tank you’re basically creating a solvent, which will start playing hell with your car’s fuel system immediately, and can lead to you needing a new engine, filters, fuel pump, injectors, and a whole new fuel tank.

What happens when diesel goes bad without additives?

Well, without diesel fuel additives, diesel can go bad in as little as 30 days before this oxidization process becomes unwieldy, creating deposits that can damage fuel injectors, fuel lines, and other system components which will hurt fuel economy and performance. Water is a major issue in diesel fuel for a couple of reasons.

What’s the truth about today’s diesel engines?

The truth about today’s engine is, however, quite the opposite. Advanced electronic engine management systems, improvements in fuel injection design, air flow and fuel management, along with post combustion treatments have overcome many of these previous design shortfalls and the resulting stigma that was associated with these engines.

Why are so many diesel fuel system failures?

Poor quality or contaminated diesel fuel contributes to more than 80% of fuel system related failures in EUI engines and an even greater amount in HPCR systems. In order to overcome the challenges of operating a reliable fuel system, a paradigm shift must be made in the way consumers view the diesel fuel and its function within the engine.

Why does it take so long for diesel to oxidize?

The problem here is twofold. First, diesel fuel is carbon-based petrochemical and thus starts the process of oxidization as soon as it departs the refinery, with the sediments and gums that clog fuel beginning to form. So how long does diesel fuel last?

What happens when you put Diesel in your car?

The sludge will form a coating or “bio-film” on the walls and baffles of the fuel tank, plug your fuel filters, adversely impact combustion efficiency, produce dark smoke from the exhaust, form acids that degrade injectors and fuel pumps, and adversely impact performance. Eventually fouled diesel fuel will clog fuel lines and ruin your equipment.

When is your diesel engine hard to start?

On the other hand, if you hear a click but no fuel is pushed through the injector lines, and nothing is clogging the lines, it’s time to replace the pump. The pressure in a diesel injector is generally quite high compared with gasoline engines, but the pressure can decrease over time.

What happens when you foul your diesel fuel line?

Eventually fouled diesel fuel will clog fuel lines and ruin your equipment. Filter plugging, often the first symptom of a problem, can have several causes and often critical consequences. For example, low temperatures can cause wax crystallization, which can lead to fuel filter plugging.

Is it possible for diesel to stay fresh for months?

The fact of the matter is this: you can’t expect diesel to stay fresh for months on end! There are substances you can use that work to keep your fuel fresh and stable, such as the best fuel stabilizers and diesel biocides.

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Ruth Doyle