3 Things: What happens when you put diesel into a gas car?

As more reports come in of customers who filled their tanks at the Troy Pike BP station — only to realize diesel fuel was flowing through the gasoline pumps — it raises the question: What happens when you put diesel into a gas car?

Two Huber Heights residents said their cars broke down after filling up their tanks at that station, while other people took to Facebook and other social media sites this past weekend to complain.

On Sunday, a worker at the BP at 7888 Troy Pike confirmed there was a problem with diesel in the gas lines and said it had been fixed.

Will my car run?

According to a blog post on CarTalk.com, your car will run for a few miles until all the gasoline that's still in the fuel line is used. At that point, the engine will shut down and your car will stop running because gasoline engines cannot combust diesel fuel.

What happens next?

Your car then must be towed to a shop and the fuel system drained, CarTalk.com says. The gas tank is emptied, and if the car has been driven since the diesel fuel was put in it, the diesel must be removed from the fuel lines, fuel rail and injectors.

Usually, no permanent damage occurs, CarTalk.com says.

How much does it cost to repair it?

Depending on the car, it can cost $500 to $1,000, CarTalk.com says.

Billy King was one of the individuals impacted by the problem at the Huber Heights BP. He said it cost about $700 to fix the problem.

Tonia Schuttinger, another BP customer, was told by the service department at a local dealership that it would cost between $300 and $400 to drain the tank, but could cost $1,000 if damage is found when it’s repaired.

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE APPS for breaking news.

About the Author