Ask AMSOIL: What is Fuel Dilution (and Why is it Bad)?

Fuel dilution occurs when gasoline or diesel fuel infiltrates your engine’s crankcase and dilutes, or “waters down,” the motor oil....

January 3, 2022

Fuel dilution occurs when gasoline or diesel fuel infiltrates your engine’s crankcase and dilutes, or “waters down,” the motor oil. Technically, “oil dilution” is a more fitting term, but “fuel dilution” is industry-standard terminology.

What causes fuel dilution?

Several factors can lead to fuel dilution:

• Dirty or leaking fuel injectors

 Excessive idle time

 Incomplete combustion

 Low engine temperatures

 Frequent short trips

 Worn piston rings/excessive blow-by

See the January AMSOIL Magazine for more information.