# regular gas in my diesel **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [October 24, 2005, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regular-gas-in-my-diesel/327723 "2005-10-24T20:28:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![yenifia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/b782af/32.png) [@yenifia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yenifia)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2005, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regular-gas-in-my-diesel/327723/1 "2005-10-24T20:28:55Z")
HELP, I just put a little less than 4 gallons of regular gas in my diesel Volkswagon. What do I do. It had a 1/4 of a tank in it. I accidently put in the 4 gallons of regular then I topped it off with diesel. Will it run through with the diesel or do they separate in the tank? I’d like to avoid having to spend the money to drain it if the amount is small enough that it will not cause engine problems. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2005, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regular-gas-in-my-diesel/327723/2 "2005-10-24T20:40:44Z")
> [@yenifia](#): > > HELP, I just put a little less than 4 gallons of regular gas in my diesel Volkswagon. What do I do. It had a 1/4 of a tank in it. I accidently put in the 4 gallons of regular then I topped it off with diesel. Will it run through with the diesel or do they separate in the tank? I’d like to avoid having to spend the money to drain it if the amount is small enough that it will not cause engine problems. > Thanks I’d strongly recommend that you drain it. I own and operate diesel trucks. With that much dilution you are almost certain to ruin the engine. If you said it was less than a gallon in a 18-20 gal. tank, I might advise you to take the risk, but I’m guessing that you’ve diluted the diesel by about 25%. That’s way too much. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2005, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regular-gas-in-my-diesel/327723/3 "2005-10-24T22:20:41Z")
Just to keep everyone on the same page. [Can I use diesel fuel instead of regular gas?](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mdieselvsgas.html) ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2005, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regular-gas-in-my-diesel/327723/4 "2005-10-24T22:22:35Z")
From which > [@](#): > > What happens when you use gasoline in a diesel engine? Either something expensive or something very expensive. Since gasoline is designed to be resistant to self-ignition, gasoline in a diesel engine either won’t ignite or will ignite at the wrong time. Some diesel engines run leaner than gasoline engines (meaning that the air-fuel mix has a higher proportion of air than a gasoline engine). That increases the chances that the gasoline won’t ignite and that unburnt fuel will be sent into the hot exhaust system–where, ironically, it could ignite, leading to possible exhaust damage. Even if you avoid that disaster, you can expect to pay $500 to drain the fuel tank, clean out the fuel lines, and refill the tank with diesel. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regular-gas-in-my-diesel/327723/5 "2005-10-25T06:05:23Z")
> [@Tapioca Dextrin](#): > > From which Assuming you haven’t run the engine extensively this hand operated pump will safely remove the gas from the tank and only costs $ 51.00 ([see Black & Decker Jack Rabbit pump.)](http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/View_Catalog_Page.asp?mi=6314) > [@](#): > > Black & Decker > Jack Rabbit™ Pump6314Transfers gasoline, water, oil, and other liquids. Self-priming, easy to operate. Pumps one to two gpm up to 17´ high. May also be used to spray solution. Rugged plastic, non-rusting. Not for industrial use. Includes pump, 7´ vinyl tubing, 3´ nylon dip tube, 5´ neoprene intake hose, sprayer weight with screen, hose clamp, and dip tube marker.Black & Decker Jack Rabbit Pump > 1.5 lbs. 93181 $51.95 ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regular-gas-in-my-diesel/327723/6 "2005-10-25T11:02:16Z")
**yenifia** , you should call the dealer and ask their service department. All that we can do here is offer general suggestions that might apply to a similar situation. The dealer will be able to deal with your make/model, and any special circumstances that arise. It’s not that we’re not sympathetic or trying to be helpful, it’s just that sometimes online help can only go so far. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![zagloba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/977dab/32.png) [@zagloba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zagloba)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2005, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regular-gas-in-my-diesel/327723/7 "2005-11-01T08:38:08Z")
ISTM a big issue here is how to safely dispose of the fuel in an environmentally sound manner. We’re talking some 20 gallons of volatile hydrocarbons that are essentially useless? But I sure don’t want to see them dumped onto the ground or into a stream somewhere … ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2005, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regular-gas-in-my-diesel/327723/8 "2005-11-01T12:24:39Z")
> [@zagloba](#): > > ISTM a big issue here is how to safely dispose of the fuel in an environmentally sound manner. We’re talking some 20 gallons of volatile hydrocarbons that are essentially useless? But I sure don’t want to see them dumped onto the ground or into a stream somewhere … Which is why, **zagloba** , people are suggesting he call his dealer’s service department or something similar. Well, **yenifia** , it’s been over a week. How did it work out? ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2005, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regular-gas-in-my-diesel/327723/9 "2005-11-01T16:38:14Z")
> [@zagloba](#): > > ISTM a big issue here is how to safely dispose of the fuel in an environmentally sound manner. We’re talking some 20 gallons of volatile hydrocarbons that are essentially useless? But I sure don’t want to see them dumped onto the ground or into a stream somewhere … You could call your local fuel oil supply distributor. Sometimes a house’s oil heat tank must be drained for maintainence or repair, and a pump truck must be brought in to retrieve the oil to be sent back to the refinery (by law they can’t just pump it into someone elses tank, or use it as diesel fuel).