Accidentally put diesel in gas engine

SHMOOTOES

MEMBER
HONDA ACCORD

I ran out of gas and grabbed the gas can from the garage, barely any in it, but enough to get to station around the corner. Found out later that parent put diesel from their motor home in it. Since then(3 months) have put 2 cans of cleaner from auto parts store in. It will just die going 70 miles an hour down the highway and chugs when I take off. Check engine light on(of course). What can I do to "clean" it as I would think the small amout of diesel would be out by now. Thanks! Lisa

1999 Honda Accord LX ULEV 100,800 miles. 4 cylinder 2.3 liter. All maintainence done regularly.

2 Replies

BLACKOP555

MECHANIC
10,371 POSTS

Did it start suddenly after you used the diesel or did it take a few weeks for the problem to develop?

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Friday, October 19th, 2007 AT 9:39 PM

LOSTINMARS

MECHANIC
222 POSTS

The second mistake you made (i'm sure you know the first ;-) ) was thinking it would run its course. The tank needs taken down and cleaned out, personally I would replace it. The pump should be replaced as well. The best way to go about this is to get a nice complete tank, with pump, from a salvage yard. Take the fuel filter off and chuck it. While everything is apart flush the lines between the tank and filter location. Install new filter, tank, spark plugs and fresh gas. Now run it and see what happens. Chances are you also damaged the oxygen sensor(s) and possibly the catalytic converter.

Whenever this happens do not try to run it out. That fuel cleaner you bought isn't worth a damn for anything let alone this.

Good luck.