Kerosene mixed into diesel fuel?

[kavakava]

A local mechanic suggested mixing a few gallons of kerosene into the diesel fuel tank helps the fuel keep better. Anyone heard of this or tried it?

[Yugi]

I would say it cant hurt. If your in a cold climate you could add up to 50%

My diesel car runs on waste vegatable oil so diesel and Kero are about the same compaired to what I'm blending.

[k1vsk]

There are two grades of diesel, #1 and #2 obviously named by some very imaginative person... Not sure if I have it backward but #1 is diesel and #2 is diesel cut with a percentage of kerosene, the purpose of which is to lower the gel point in extreme cold. One can infer from this that either is acceptable in a diesel engine but age prevents me from remembering at what percentage the mix becomes problemmatic.
I don't undertand how cutting the diesel with kerosene will make it "keep better" other than increase the volatile fraction of the fuel which has no bearing on growth in or degredation of the diesel, both of which are the real issues.

[CapnHand]

K1vsk has right except that No. 1 Diesel contains a small amount of kerosene. No. 2 Diesel is the more common grade. Kerosene will improve cold weather starts as well as cold flow (gel temperature). Kerosene also has a lower energy value so your hp will be slightly reduced. It won't affect fuel stability or biological growth.

There are biocides (Racor makes a good one) as well as products to aid with water absorbtion which should be used for this purpose.

[camaraderie]

You have it backwards K1...but the principle is correct. #2 is preferable in boats due to the lubricating properties but in cold weather a bit of kero can improve the viscosity but risks the high pressure pump due to reduced viscosity...ya takes yer chances doing it. Myself...I assume that if I need to add kerosene to my diesel...the boat should be on land and i should be somewhere else warm and snug!! (g) K1 is right about no effect on storing or keeping diesel from degradation

[Valiente]

When I had a siphon break issue, water got into the block and I had to do kerosene flushes into the empty oil sump with brief (10 second) runs to cycle the water-attracting kerosene. While it makes a poor lubricant, it did the trick.

I might try to throw a bottle in each tank for over the winter.

[k1vsk]

I had a 50/50 chance of getting it correct - figures...

[USCGRET1990]

#1 Diesel is more refined and has a higher cetane rating. It is usually used in city buses to cut down on pollution and in severe cold weather ops. It is less lubricating and increases wear in the pumps and injectors. Kerosene is even more refined and used mostly as jet fuel. Adding it to #2 diesel will thin it and promote the characteristics of #1 diesel.

[HatterasJack]

I mix Kero with my VW diesel engine every winter as well as add a little cetane never have a problem with starting or fuel gel. Seems to hurt fuel milage though, 5 % or more per tank. Only has 300,000 miles on it , burns no oil and still full of pep. Always used Synthetic oil either Amsoil or Shell Rotella Synthetic. Never used it in the yanmar because we are on the hard when it gets cold. Jack

[wescarroll]

Originally Posted by HatterasJack

I mix Kero with my VW diesel engine every winter as well as add a little cetane never have a problem with starting or fuel gel. Seems to hurt fuel milage though, 5 % or more per tank. Only has 300,000 miles on it , burns no oil and still full of pep. Always used Synthetic oil either Amsoil or Shell Rotella Synthetic. Never used it in the yanmar because we are on the hard when it gets cold. Jack

Oil is what you use for fuel. Might not burn lubricating oil though