diesel fuel in my motorcycle?

Question

gas station had delivery. The guy dumped the wrong tank (diesel into clear-gas) and I filled up with this contaminated gas before the mistake was realized. I went-OFF on the owner and then he 'fessed up and took responsibility. I brought my bike ('02 CBR 954RR) to the dealer and they went through it. They say all is ok now. What kind of problems can occur from this. It detonated really bad when I tried to ride away. I syphoned it out. But could I have scored the main-bearings, etc.

Answer 1

The detonation could cause some serious problems, but not very likely, unless you drove it for a long time.

Most times there is no damage, and some times the lube quality makes carbs and injectors work a little better.

Just make sure there is no more than 10 percent diesel left in the system and expect a little more smoke as the fuel works through.

Some people have added a small amount of diesel to their engines claiming better gas mileage and better performance.

I have tried it but have no noticed any change.

Answer 2

Diesel fuel has a lot more energy than more refined gasoline and can cause a lot of different problems including fracturing or otherwise ruining pistons, valves, and other internal components. Putting the wrong fuel in the wrong tank is not a "little oopsy", it's a very serious violation which will cause the station to have their tanks pumped completely out, cleaned, and refilled with new fuel. I would notify the state inspector of the incident to make sure it is handled properly and isn't just glossed-over by the station owner.

At a minimum, the whole fuel system should be flushed and the dealer should inspect the cylinders, valves, injectors, and such for clogging and additional damage. Since the owner took responsibility, make sure he/she gets the bill because it will be a full engine tear-down and could take upward to 20 hours of maintenance plus the replacement of any defective parts. This is the only way to be absolutely sure that there is no damage. Best luck!

Answer 3

I noticed 1 or 2 people are trying to tell its not really a big deal. Well acctually it IS a big deal depending on how long it was running and exactly how bad it detonated there could be serious problems immediately or down the road. Either way you engines life span has to some point minor or seriously has been decreased by the "severe detonation" and you should go after anyone and everyone responsible for the problem full force. And uh for the record sugar in the gas DOES cause multiple super serious problems... trust me I know... i've done it.

Answer 4

mdcbert pretty well has it right although saying the diesel fires later is a bit confusing. If he means it fires later because diesel burns slower because of the low cetane rating, the equivilent of a high octane rating in gasoline, then he's correct. If he means the crankshaft timing of when the diesel is injected (thus initiating combustion), that certainly isn't later than gasoline engines. A lot of diesel engines are timed to inject at 27-8 degrees BTC, as early or earlier than gas engines. And yes diesel engines usually turn slower, but that's because of the higher reciprocating mass of the heavier pistons, rods, cranks and so on.

Answer 5

My friend , diesel engines burn fuel by literally smashing the fuel atoms to create combustion, that is why diesel engines run 20 to 1 compression and have combustion parts massively stronger than gas engines .
probable damage is bent rods valves busted rings bent crank etc. as the fuel will not burn in a gas engine in strong concentrations .and will not compress.
It may be that you got small amounts in your fuel thus causing plug fouling or smoking (like a two stroke motor)diesel has more viscosity than gas so you probably didn't score your bearings unless something broke from lack of fuel charge compression.
if your shop checked for these issues and you dint feel any odd vibrations or strange running characteristics (missing,hard starts etc.) you are probably OK :-)
keep roostin...

Answer 6

it`ll be fine.We get machines at wirk where the gas and diesel get mixed up all the time.

WHen they drain it all out, and refill with fresh gas, it`ll all be fine.

It may sound bad when you run it, popping and misfiring, but the engine is fine, the timing hasnt changed, its just the popping of the diesel fuel. Diesel fires much later than gas does.

It just sounds bad, but it isnt harmed.

that guy above me is mixed up. diesel engines are built tougher because they are 20:1 NOT because diesel is more powerful.

Diesel fuel has a higher energy density than gasoline. On average, 1 gallon of diesel fuel contains approximately 147,000 BTU of potential, while 1 gallon of gasoline contains 125,000 BTU. This, combined with lower operating RPM's and overall efficiency explains why diesel get better fuel economy than equivalent gasoline engine. THATS not much more than gas itsel, probably the same as if you had turbo, except the diesel fires later

Answer 7

It is unlikely that the diesel has caused a problem, as long as you shut it down right away.

It could have caused some damage, but if it is running fine now, you should be ok.

Diesel will not vaporize, so it was likely you didn't get a lot in the cylinder, but boy, it must have bucked like crazy!

Good luck, sounds like you are fine, though.

Answer 8

Kawasaki also made a diesel version of their KLR 650 for the US military.

Answer 9

Sounds bad. This is your opportunity to screw the gas station (and especially the oil industry as a whole) like they're doing to us right now. Don't get mad, get even.

Some tanker driver will be lucky to find a job delivering flowers now....

Answer 10

Probably not.........diesel burns diff from gas.........it together mix , ones heavier then the other........one burns cleaner ( deisel does.........and it probably didnt do damage at all..........alot of myths out there about fuels and damages........like sugar in a tank.........most all it does is desolve..........really doesnt do alot of damage as some claim it does........

Check it out...........if its running great......hey count your blessings.........but get it in writing about no problem found and fuel mix in case of future problems....but i dont think you will