VIDEO: This Is What “Diesel Runaway” Looks Like

Turning off the ignition won’t help this driver with their diesel econo hatch

Diesel runaway is a pretty crazy phenomena. Worn out piston rings and compression ignition combine to cause an engine that just won’t shut off.

When rings get worn and fail to stop the flow of oil mist into the upper cylinder, the engine can get stuck in an infinite loop of combustion. This amazing smoke show is demonstrated in the video above.

Unfortunately, in this situation, turning the ignition key just doesn’t make a difference. The only solution: cut off the flow of air. Or you could stop on the brakes, pop the clutch while in gear, and hope for the best. Your call.

And if you can identify the car, post it in the comments!