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Wrong Fuel Chokes Presidential Limo

Posted by timothy on from the so-this-doesn't-happen-only-to-my-brother dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Fueling your car with the wrong type of fuel happens even to POTUS. This happens when you put gasoline instead of diesel in the tank. ...." And Yes, the presidential limo really is a diesel. What about clean, renewable solar?

5 of 612 comments (clear)

  1. Um... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    The link is to a story which says the correct fuel was used.

    1. Re:Um... by Runaway1956 · · Score: 5, Informative

      Old truck driver here. Drivers use "fuel" in their trucks. Motorists use "gas". Brits use "petrol". Maybe you should get to know some truck drivers. Like rherbert, I've never heard an American use the term "petrol". Not on the east coast, not on the west coast, and nowhere in between. The only person in recent memory to use the word, is an imported guy from England. We mostly keep him around to laugh at. When his jokes run out, his accent is still hilarious.

      --
      "Windows is like the faint smell of piss in a subway: it's there, and there's nothing you can do about it." - Charlie Br
    2. Re:Um... by xaxa · · Score: 4, Informative

      Well if you live in a big city, you are probably familiar with seeing boots on vehicles when you don't pay the parking tickets.

      That means something else here.

      UK - US vehicle terms
      Car - Auto[mobile]? (is "auto" old-fashioned?)
      Lorry - Truck
      Campervan - Motorhome
      Pavement - Sidewalk
      Car park - Parking lot
      Petrol station (or filling station, service station) - Gas station
      Railway - Railroad
      Tram - Streetcar
      Bogie - Truck
      [Railway] Truck - [Rail] Wagon
      Metro / underground [train] - Subway [train]

      Boot - Trunk
      Bonnet - Hood
      Wheel clamp - Boot
      Bumper - Fender
      Windscreen - Windshield
      Tyre - Tire

      I'm sure I could think of more, but that'll do...

  2. Not so. by jewens · · Score: 5, Informative

    I know I'm breaking the convention of reading before posting, however to quote TFA "the mechanical problem had nothing to do with the type of fuel used, as first reported."

    --
    That group of bovine standing over there appears quite portentous. That's right it's an ominous cow herd.
  3. Re:So, uh... by dywolf · · Score: 4, Informative

    Actually it's the reverse.

    Diesel engines actually have the broader range of fuels that can be used. Generally, as long as the engine can generate enough pressure to achieve ignition via compression heating, the fuel can be used. Putting gas in isnt actually bad for the engine; it simply lacks the ability to achieve combustion via compression pressures usually found in automotive diesel motors. Gasoline is actually "designed", so to speak, to not combust due to compression, for reasons stated below. so its not harmful, it just simply doesnt run with much power, if at all.

    Technically gasoline engines can theoretically use diesel or other fuels if its volatile enough, and the proper air/fuel mixture can be achieved, but the risk is that the fuel is combusted early. ie, not by the spark plug, but the compression cycle itself before the timing cycle can light the sparkplug, which causes engine knock, power loss, and can destroy the engine cylinder eventually. So while the fuel achieves ignition, its not desireable ignition. which is why refined gasoline was developed to have a really really high heat of compression so that it wouldnt combust intil its supposed to.

    "Diesel fuel" is actually simpler to produce than gasoline as well, requiring less refinement. Big marine diesels use fuel that is essentially almost basic crude. the major disadvantage is that being less refined the fuel is more prone to gelling in cold temperatures (more viscous components in the molecules).

    --
    The guy who said the election was rigged won the presidency with the second-most votes.