Diesel engines are renowned for their power and efficiency, making them popular for heavy-duty machinery and transportation. However, when the winter weather hits, diesel owners may face challenges in starting their engines because of the cold filter plugging point.
Some diesel owners run Kerosene in their engines to change the cold weather handling temperatures, either as a substitute or a diesel fuel blend. But is it safe to put Kerosene in diesel engine?
The Kerosene lighter weight means it is slightly less energy-dense fuel than regular diesel, although they both come from crude oil. It also has less lubricity and may cause severe damage to the fuel system, including the injector pump and fuel injectors.
Nonetheless, Kerosene burns fine in modern diesel engines, but only if it’s the approved fuel and with the right lubricant additives. Mixing kerosene blended diesel fuel with regular diesel fuel or other alternative fuels, such as vegetable or peanut oil, may also be possible. Still, adding the right lubricant is crucial, ensuring the fuel system can handle the harsher fuel for diesel vehicles.
In our guide, you can find out whether it’s possible to run diesel fuel engines on Kerosene, the pros and cons of using Kerosene as a diesel fuel substitute, and the difference between diesel and Kerosene. By the end, you’ll better understand is kerosene diesel friendly and how you can use it to fight gelling in your truck fuel system. (Read What To Do With Old Diesel Fuel)
Kerosene Vs. Diesel
Kerosene and diesel are both distillates of crude oil, but they have some key differences. Kerosene is produced as a pure fuel, whereas diesel isn’t. Being a pure fuel means Kerosene has no additives, and it is this that leads to issues.
One difference between Kerosene and diesel fuel is their lubricating properties. Kerosene has less lubricity than diesel fuel, providing less protection to the engine’s cylinder head and other parts. This can result in increased wear and tear on the engine.
Can you use Kerosene in a diesel engine?
Diesel engines invented by Rudolph Diesel are efficient and powerful, yet diesel owners struggle when very cold weather arrives. It can be tough to start diesel engines because of cold weather. A solution some diesel owners turn to Kerosene as a potential solution.
Kerosene burns fine as a heating oil or jet fuel, yet Kerosene burns cooler than diesel and has a lower flash point. While Kerosene may be blended with diesel fuel, it’s important to note that running Kerosene may cause serious damage to the fuel system because of its lower lubricity.
Diesel engines require lubrication to operate smoothly, and Kerosene’s lubricating properties are inferior to diesel ones. Adding Kerosene to diesel fuel may lower its gelling point, making it more suitable for colder temperatures.
However, diesel owners should only use the recommended fuel for their engines and add lubricant as needed. Newer diesel engines may not be compatible with Kerosene because of their advanced fuel systems.
In conclusion, running Kerosene in a diesel engine is possible, but it’s best to use only the recommended fuel to avoid damaging your engine fuel pump or more. (Read Color Coding Fuel Pump Wires Color Codes)
What fuels can a diesel engine run on?
Diesel engines run on diesel fuel, a specific type made from crude oil through distilling.
However, diesel engines can run on other fuels, such as Kerosene, jet fuel, vegetable oil, and peanut oil.
- Kerosene burns cooler and is a lighter fuel with less lubricity than diesel, which may cause damage to the fuel system. Kerosene can be used with the correct lubricant additives in modern diesel engines and may be blended with diesel fuel to lower the gelling point in colder temperatures.
- Jet fuel, also known as aviation turbine fuel for jet engines, has similar properties to diesel fuel and can be used as a substitute in emergencies. Vegetable oil requires modification of the fuel system and engine to run smoothly. It also has slightly less energy than diesel so it may cause decreased engine power and gas mileage.
- Peanut oil, another alternative fuel, has similar properties to vegetable oil and may require additional modifications to the engine. While these fuels may be viable alternatives, they may not be approved by the engine manufacturer and can cause severe damage if not used properly.
In conclusion, diesel engines can run on various fuels. However, it’s essential to exercise caution and ensure that the fuel is compatible with the engine and fuel system and that the modifications and lubricants are in place.
How much Kerosene do I add to my diesel for winter?
If you are considering adding Kerosene to your diesel fuel to help your engine operate better in colder temperatures, it’s essential to exercise caution and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
It’s recommended to blend only ten percent kerosene with diesel fuel. Adding too much Kerosene blended diesel fuel may cause decreased engine power and efficiency and can cause serious damage to the fuel system.
In winter, this ten percent changes the operating temperature by five degrees. It’s also important to note that adding Kerosene to diesel fuel may not be necessary for all diesel engines. Many newer diesel engines handle colder temperatures and may not require any additional fuel additives.
Benefits of Running Kerosene in Your Diesel
Kerosene advantages.
1. Kerosene is less expensive
Price is the primary advantage of using Kerosene in your diesel engine. Kerosene is far less expensive than diesel fuel, so it can seem like a perfect choice if filling up at the gas station gives you a lot of pain.
2. Kerosene Doesn’t Gel as Easily
As Kerosene doesn’t gel as quickly as diesel, it may operate much more smoothly when the temperature drops below zero. In colder climates, this might be seen as an enormous advantage! However, numerous additives may be added to most diesel engines to prevent diesel fuel from gelling and for less money.
Downsides of Using Kerosene in Your Diesel Engine
Many risks are associated with using Kerosene instead of diesel in a diesel engine, even though it is less expensive and less likely to experience gelling. (Learn How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Fuel Injector)
1. Kerosene Does Not Lubricate
Kerosene is a harsher fuel for your diesel engine, and the absence of lubrication in the fuel might clog diesel injectors or damage your diesel’s injector pump unless you add oil.
2. Kerosene Is Less Effective
Because Kerosene burns at a lower temperature than diesel, it is significantly less fuel efficient and lowers engine power.
Running Kerosene in most diesel engines won’t give you much power, and the wasted fuel could cost you more than you expected.
3. Kerosene May Damage Certain Diesel
Kerosene is a recognized alternative fuel for some diesel engines, but many newer engines won’t accept it. If Kerosene is not an authorized fuel, using it through your diesel engine could cause several problems.
4. Kerosene Use Coul Void Your Vehicle Warranty
The warranty on your vehicle’s engine may be voided if Kerosene is not a recognized alternative fuel for your particular vehicle. Before using Kerosene in a diesel, consult the owner’s manual and your warranty provider.
5. Kerosene in a Diesel Engine Outdoors Could Be Prohibited
Using fuel that has not been adequately inspected and taxed approved on public roads is illegal in Canada and the United States.
If you use Kerosene in a vehicle that wasn’t made for driving, you risk paying a fine if the authorities find Kerosene in your diesel. Road vehicle fuel must comply with ash and pollution limitations, so be sure you’re acting lawfully.
FAQs
Can a diesel engine run on vegetable oil?
Diesel engines can run on vegetable oil with some modifications. Vegetable oil is thicker than diesel fuel and may not flow properly through the fuel system, so diesel engine owners who want to use vegetable oil as a fuel source often install special conversion kits.
These kits typically involve adding a second fuel tank and lines and modifying the fuel injectors to handle the thicker fuel.
Can a diesel engine run on used motor oil?
While diesel engines can run on used motor oil, it’s not recommended.
Used motor oil can contain contaminants and impurities that can cause severe damage to the engine. In addition, used motor oil is thicker than diesel fuel and may not flow properly through the fuel system.
Will a diesel engine run on peanut oil?
Peanut oil can be an alternative fuel source for diesel engines, but it has some limitations.
Peanut oil has a lower flash point than diesel fuel, which ignites at a lower temperature. As a result, diesel engines may require modifications to the fuel system to accommodate the different burning properties of peanut oil.
Can diesel engines run on heating oil?
Diesel engines can run on heating oil, similar to diesel fuel but with a slightly different distilling process.
However, using heating oil as a fuel source for a diesel engine is not recommended, as heating oil has less lubricity than diesel fuel and can cause increased wear on the engine’s cylinder head and other parts.
In addition, heating oil is not formulated for diesel engines and may not provide the same level of performance or efficiency as diesel fuel. (Learn How To Clean Fuel Injectors Without Removal)
Is number 1 diesel fuel the same as Kerosene?
While ordinary diesel is referred to as .2 diesel fuel oil, Kerosene is also known as the .1 diesel fuel oil.
Kerosene is referred to as .1 diesel since it is a lighter diesel oil than .2. Because of its lesser weight, it has a marginally lower energy content (approximately 135,000 BTU per gallon as opposed to.
Will a diesel run on Kerosene?
Kerosene burns without causing damage with a diesel engine, but it is inefficient. It depends on your engine. In reality, Kerosene is listed as an approved fuel in many newer diesel engines. Note: If you run Kerosene for an extended period, it could cause damage to your injector pump unless you add lubrication.
