Got diesel in my car!
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 16
Likes: 3
Got diesel in my car!
Pumped super unleaded in my LS460 as always , started running rough then went into limp mode. Took it to 3 mechanics before last one figured out it's diesel in the system. Guys I'm down almost $8000 on this. Started this claim with a big chain wholesaler but I don't wanna get shanked. Any input would be great.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,453
Likes: 1,809
From: Ohio
First and foremost and most importantly get a fuel sample, video of you and your car on that day at the gas pump showing you at a gasoline dispenser with a gas handle in the car, and get a fuel test done by the state ASAP at that station. That is the preliminary to make sure if you need something covered you have case.
As far as the car...
Stop driving it, drain it, refill with gas and purge as much out of the system as you can and it should be just fine if you haven't run it much. The fuel system can be purged at the fuel lines and even the HP fuel lines if you are willing to crack the hard line connections open and extract/try to purge everything, I would entirely remove the HPFPs and drain them if it was my car.
Diesel in a gas car isn't the end of the world, you won't fry a HPFP, injectors or pre-detonate unlike the inverse.
As far as the car...
Stop driving it, drain it, refill with gas and purge as much out of the system as you can and it should be just fine if you haven't run it much. The fuel system can be purged at the fuel lines and even the HP fuel lines if you are willing to crack the hard line connections open and extract/try to purge everything, I would entirely remove the HPFPs and drain them if it was my car.
Diesel in a gas car isn't the end of the world, you won't fry a HPFP, injectors or pre-detonate unlike the inverse.
Last edited by Striker223; Mar 10, 2026 at 11:37 AM.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 16
Likes: 3
First and foremost and most importantly get a fuel sample, video of you and your car on that day at the gas pump showing you at a gasoline dispenser with a gas handle in the car, and get a fuel test done by the state ASAP at that station. That is the preliminary to make sure if you need something covered you have case.
As far as the car...
Stop driving it, drain it, refill with gas and purge as much out of the system as you can and it should be just fine if you haven't run it much. The fuel system can be purged at the fuel lines and even the HP fuel lines if you are willing to crack the hard line connections open and extract/try to purge everything, I would entirely remove the HPFPs and drain them if it was my car.
Diesel in a gas car isn't the end of the world, you won't fry a HPFP, injectors or pre-detonate unlike the inverse.
As far as the car...
Stop driving it, drain it, refill with gas and purge as much out of the system as you can and it should be just fine if you haven't run it much. The fuel system can be purged at the fuel lines and even the HP fuel lines if you are willing to crack the hard line connections open and extract/try to purge everything, I would entirely remove the HPFPs and drain them if it was my car.
Diesel in a gas car isn't the end of the world, you won't fry a HPFP, injectors or pre-detonate unlike the inverse.
Dysfunctional Veteran
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,103
Likes: 319
From: Van Alstyne, TX
I will say, doing it the other way around is far worse, and also easier to do. I have very nearly put gas in my diesel truck twice (caught myself, first time diesel owner). Being a diesel tech by trade, I have seen the damage caused by putting gasoline in a diesel engine...no bueno. I couldn't help but chuckle because i know better, but force of habit very nearly bit me in the *** twice LOL.
Whoever charged you $8k for this issue scammed you. Its at most a few hundred bucks for a tow and a few hours labor to drain the tank. (I do believe you can siphon out of the 460's because the fuel door latches closed, so there shouldn't be an anti-siphon device in the filler neck). Then put the car on a charger, crank it until it fires off, which it will do eventually. It will also run like *** and maybe smoke hard for a bit. It will throw codes. once the smoke clears, clear the codes and take it for a good hard drive to get the cats good and hot and clean all the kerosene out of the system.
The other way around (Gas in a diesel) requires complete fuel system disassembly, cleaning and reassembly, and thats if you are lucky. My brother loaned his truck out and that person put gas in it, and $12,000 later, it was finally running again. (ford f250). Expensive lesson.
Whoever charged you $8k for this issue scammed you. Its at most a few hundred bucks for a tow and a few hours labor to drain the tank. (I do believe you can siphon out of the 460's because the fuel door latches closed, so there shouldn't be an anti-siphon device in the filler neck). Then put the car on a charger, crank it until it fires off, which it will do eventually. It will also run like *** and maybe smoke hard for a bit. It will throw codes. once the smoke clears, clear the codes and take it for a good hard drive to get the cats good and hot and clean all the kerosene out of the system.
The other way around (Gas in a diesel) requires complete fuel system disassembly, cleaning and reassembly, and thats if you are lucky. My brother loaned his truck out and that person put gas in it, and $12,000 later, it was finally running again. (ford f250). Expensive lesson.
Last edited by ArmyofOne; Mar 11, 2026 at 05:51 AM.
Pit Crew
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 206
Likes: 85
From: Alberta
Pumped super unleaded in my LS460 as always , started running rough then went into limp mode. Took it to 3 mechanics before last one figured out it's diesel in the system. Guys I'm down almost $8000 on this. Started this claim with a big chain wholesaler but I don't wanna get shanked. Any input would be great.
Email the company and see if you can get written acknowledgement that they are aware of the problem.
Last edited by Dean2; Mar 11, 2026 at 11:17 AM.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 16
Likes: 3
@Army
Thanks for the input. It would be more accurate to say I am down $8000 because of misdiagnosis. First mechanic changed all the plugs and coils bc that's what codes were coming up along with MAF sensor. So I let them do that but not change sensor as they can be cleaned I believe. So that was $3000. Then it stalled again and then we r at another $4000 at a Toyota dealership for the cleaning and a new starter that supposedly got worn out.
CL Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,265
Likes: 482
From: MA
Since apparently deisel was pumped into a 93 octane underground tank, many other drivers were also affected. There would be strength in numbers if you could also locate all the people affected. Not sure of the best way to do that, maybe social media and or maybe get a local TV station to do a story on it.
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,453
Likes: 1,809
From: Ohio
Thanks for the input. It would be more accurate to say I am down $8000 because of misdiagnosis. First mechanic changed all the plugs and coils bc that's what codes were coming up along with MAF sensor. So I let them do that but not change sensor as they can be cleaned I believe. So that was $3000. Then it stalled again and then we r at another $4000 at a Toyota dealership for the cleaning and a new starter that supposedly got worn out.
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 197
From: Texas
I did this once on a Ultra Van motorhome that used a 6 cyl air cooled Corvair engine. I didnt know I had done it. It ran rough as I left the station but I thought it would clear up. Ten miles out of town in the far west Texas desert I realized the mistake when I smelled the gas cap. It would run about 3 miles and then throw the fan belt. then another 3 miles and then throw the fan belt. 40 miles and a dozen fan belt replacements, I got to Del Rio Texas where we drained the tank, and refilled with gasoline. It was still running rough and 10 miles out of town it stopped completely. I removed all the plugs and cleaned them and I was off and running with my tail between my legs heading for home. It was a strange but welcome benefit. Before the Diesel, the van got just 15 miles per gallon. After the diesel and subsequent cleaning it was getting 19 miles per gallon!!
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2025
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Right now Sam's Club denied my claim stating that I did not have enough proof. Even though I have the receipt of filling the tank and within a few days the problems erupted. Also I have a record that I filled up at Sam's Club many times before in succession. Now my catalytic converters are declared useless with those sensors, another $4000-$9000 job. I took it to my insurance company and they are warning me that they may declare it a total loss! I am so screwed on this situation. I am looking at hiring a lawyer.
Pit Crew
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 206
Likes: 85
From: Alberta
Right now Sam's Club denied my claim stating that I did not have enough proof. Even though I have the receipt of filling the tank and within a few days the problems erupted. Also I have a record that I filled up at Sam's Club many times before in succession. Now my catalytic converters are declared useless with those sensors, another $4000-$9000 job. I took it to my insurance company and they are warning me that they may declare it a total loss! I am so screwed on this situation. I am looking at hiring a lawyer.
Last edited by Dean2; Jun 1, 2026 at 10:42 AM.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 16
Likes: 3
Thanks for this Dean. I will do those things. But seems like I have a tough decision to make if they declare it a total loss. Should I take the $ and let them keep the car or take some $ and fix it but have to declare it a salvage vehicle.
Pit Crew
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 206
Likes: 85
From: Alberta
Last edited by Dean2; Jun 1, 2026 at 11:34 AM.