What happens if you accidentally put petrol into a diesel car?

Answer 1

If you put some petrol in a diesel tank it shouldn't do too much, as long as it's not a whole lot. Truck drivers used to put some petrol in their tanks when it would get really cold to keep the diesel from gelling.

AnswerI disagree, 1/2 a liter probably would not hurt but gasoline in a diesel can ruin the seals in the injection pump. It also has different burn characteristics that can destroy the engine. It also washes the lubricating oil off the cylinder walls causing eccessive wear. I know they have put gasoline in diesel tanks to keep it from gelling in cold climates but I would recommend using the correct additive instead. Some diesels have a water seperator/sensor in the fuel filter that shuts the motor off if gas is sensed. AnswerA little bit won't hurt it. It may help it a little. It also may smoke a little while this tank of fuel is being burned but it should stop smoking on the next tank.

They have different combustion properties and could possibly foul your injectors, plugs, oxygen sensors, and catalytic converter. And it won't smoke a little, it will smoke alot. That is, if your engine stays going long enough to burn all of it off. My suggestion, if it's an older car, siphon most of it out, dilute the leftover with gasoline, and then siphon it again. If it's a newer car, drop the tank and dump it that way.

AnswerA small amount is fine, add too much and because diesel is more lubricating than petrol you can destroy the fuel pump and damage the injectors.

You can also cause damage to your pistons if you add too much petrol because of the faster burn rate it can cause pinging.