Introducing gasoline into a diesel engine disrupts the carefully engineered combustion process. Diesel fuel relies on compression ignition, where air is compressed to a high degree, and fuel injected into the hot air spontaneously ignites. Gasoline, with its lower flash point and different combustion characteristics, fails to ignite properly under these conditions. This results in incomplete combustion, creating a cascade of adverse effects within the engine.
The ramifications of this fuel contamination are significant. Diesel engines rely on the lubricating properties of diesel fuel to maintain the health of their high-pressure fuel systems, particularly the fuel pump and injectors. Gasoline lacks this lubrication, leading to increased friction and potential damage to these critical components. Historically, the introduction of incorrect fuel types has been a recurring issue, prompting the development of various preventative measures such as fuel filler neck restrictors and clear labeling.
