Diesel Engine Filled with Gas Repair Cost [DIY & Mechanic]

Generally, it is a good idea to know a few things about the vehicle you’re driving. Beyond how to operate the vehicle, knowing the upkeep required can keep you from acquiring some nasty repairs. However, sometimes things happen and you accidentally fill your diesel engine with regular gas.

When you’re able to catch this common mistake quickly, it won’t cost you anywhere near as much. These minor repairs will cost around $500 to $1,500. With some moderate damage, you’re more in the ballpark of $1,750 to $5,000. However, if your engine is severely damaged it can cost up to $12,000.

As wonderful as it would be to avoid this cost, fixing the mistake will cost you less than purchasing a new vehicle in many cases. Below are details of the costs you may find after such a mistake:

Ways to Repair a Diesel Engine Filled with Gas

The cost of repairing your engine will depend on how much damage the gas caused your engine. While all the prices may seem steep, some options seem a lot better compared to the more expensive prices. With some cars, you might even consider just buying a brand new car with the money you would have otherwise spent on repairs.

Fuel System Flush

If you were lucky enough to catch the mistake before running the vehicle, or at least not taking it far, you might be able to avoid damage to your engine. In this case, you will only need a fuel system flush.

This involves draining the tank of gas, cleaning the tank, and refilling it with enough diesel to get to a gas station. As long as you don’t fill it with diesel again, your vehicle should be just fine and you’ll only be out around $500 to $1,500.

Fuel System Flush with Targeted Repairs

If you weren’t quite so lucky, you might have caused some comparatively minor damage to the car. This will cost you a bit more than just a fuel system flush depending on the extent of the damage, but it beats the cost of a whole new engine.

This typically falls in the range of $1,750 to $3,000. This cost will cover the fuel system flush as well as the possible needed replacements such as the spark plugs or the fuel pump. If you’re really unlucky and damage the catalytic converters, this could cost you an additional $5,000.

Engine Rebuild

Rebuilding an engine involves using as many of the already existing parts as possible. Even if you caused significant damage, you may be able to salvage parts of the engine.

Then you only need to pay for a portion of the engine to be replaced. On average, this will cost $3,500 to $5,000.

Engine Replacement

If you really messed with your engine, there’s not going to be much you can save. When this happens, it is best to replace the whole engine to avoid any future repairs of damaged parts, costing you more money down the line. The costs of engines can vary, but generally, you can expect to pay around $6,000 to $12,000.

Other Information

Maybe you haven’t mixed up the fuel types with your vehicle, but you’re curious to know what would happen if you did someday. It’s always good to be prepared and know what you’re dealing with.

Maybe you’re even hoping that reading some about these horror stories will keep you from making this mistake. Either way, read on to learn more information about what you can expect when a diesel engine is filled with gas.

What Do You Do If You Put Gas in a Diesel Engine?

Most importantly, stop running the vehicle as soon as you can. If you haven’t started the engine yet, good, don’t. This will help avoid as much damage as possible.

Then you can get the vehicle to a safe place through towing or pushing while it’s in neutral. At this point, all you need to do is call your mechanic and they will get you set up with the proper services.

What Vehicles Need Diesel?

Many high-powered vehicles with specific purposes use diesel fuel. Diesel offers some benefits in regard to performance, productivity, and safety.

Some typical examples of this are trucks and trains, along with construction and farming equipment. If you happen to work in the military, their vehicles and equipment often use diesel. Other vehicles you may be more likely to drive also use diesel.

Some notable companies that manufacture diesel vehicles are Audi, Buick, BMW, Dodge, Jeep, Nissan, Toyota, and many more. With so many companies producing diesel vehicles, always be sure to know what fuel your vehicle uses.

What Happens When You Put Gas in a Diesel Engine?

When this mistake is caught quickly, you can often avoid large damage to your engine. However, if the gas is left in the engine for long, you may notice damages to an engine that has severe performance problems.

Most often, this presents itself by the ignition ceasing to work, black smoke, shock wave damage, fuel system damage, inadequate lubrication, and other engine damages.

Can this Repair be Done DIY?

No, this is a repair that should only be done by those qualified. Beyond the possibility of further damage, you may cause other adverse events. Professionals have special disposal methods for the gasoline that will need draining out of your tank. If you attempt to DIY this, you may put your own health or the environment at risk.

Who is Qualified to Repair this Problem?

The majority of mechanics are completely capable of dealing with this mistake. If you happen to frequent a mechanic that does not have the infrastructure to do a fuel system flush, they will have contact information for other mechanics that can.

Remember, mechanics are trained to work with cars and their expertise is well worth the cost.

Will Insurance Pay to Fix this Mistake?

Unfortunately, this may be a burden you will have to shoulder on your own. The majority of insurance companies do not cover customers accidentally misfuelling their engines.

Full coverage even rarely covers this expense. At the end of the day, insurance companies will see this as your fault and thus your expense.

Can You Dilute Diesel with Gas?

It is certainly not recommended in the least, but if there is 1% or less gas in your tank, the engine should be fine. Don’t use gas as a diluter to try and save money on diesel as this may cost you more money in the long run.

However, if you have a container that used to have gas in it, the few leftover drops mixed with the diesel shouldn’t harm your vehicle.

Conclusion

As hard as you might be on yourself for making such a simple and costly mistake, don’t feel too bad. People offer this repair service for a reason; you aren’t the only one to make this mistake. After this dent in your wallet, it’s hard to imagine you’ll ever make this mistake again! Of course, there are plenty of other repairs you can accidentally incur, but we won’t tempt fate too much.

With just a misfuelling mistake, you will add a large expense to your budget. With a quick reaction, you might only have to pay up to $1,500. More extensive damage can cost up to $5,000. If you cause enough damage to warrant a full engine replacement, your base price is starting around $6,000, but it may reach all the way up to $12,000.

As stressful as this experience is to navigate, we hope our article has been able to help you learn more about the costs of fixing a diesel engine that has been fueled with gas.