Types of fuel for your diesel engine

Oct 9, 2008
1,742
Bristol 29.9 Dana Point
This is just for fun. A "survivalist" thread. :)

Fuel types:

Primary:
#2 diesel
Home heating oil / fuel oil #2

Emergency secondary:
#1 diesel
Kerosene
Jet A
The above 3 are nearly identical. The 2nd 2 are lacking in lubrication for the injector system. Long term use will cause wear. Or add appropriate lubricants.

Biodiesel- made from used vegetable and animal oils.
New vegetable or cooking oil, especially when mixed with diesel.

That's 7. Versus a gas engine which can only use 1.

Please add any others, and/or reject the use of some fuels in specific or all engines. Plus any comments from people who have used any of the secondary fuels.
 
Nov 30, 2015
1,343
Hunter 1978 H30 Cherubini, Treman Marina, Ithaca, NY
Far be it for me to suggest a fuel that is derived from living creatures...but sperm whale oil treated with a strong alkaline solution will produce an acceptable fuel for a Diesel engine, once separated. The hard part is capturing a whale, and the Sperm or Baleen whale is the better choice for exhaust fumes...I'm just saying like in an emergency. Good luck with all that though!
 

capta

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Jun 4, 2009
5,072
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
In Rarotonga in 1973 I was offered as much Jet A (Kerosene) as I wanted for free because they had stored the drums with the caps on top and the expansion and contraction of the metal drums had drawn in some water, which apparently isn't very good for jet engines. A little research led me to a 4% motor oil addition which equaled #2 Diesel. I quietly thanked whoever had stored those drums improperly for the free 250+ gallons of fuel. Of course, diesel was only about 30 cents a gallon back then, but still.....
 
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JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
8,019
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
A little research led me to a 4% motor oil addition which equaled #2 Diesel.
I was just thinking the same thing, as alway a good tip Capta!

Remember, Diesel invented this engine to burn crap left overs from refining. He didn't worry about the sulfur content back then.
Jim...