Jet A Fuel(kerosene) in a 12v? Look inside and post thoughts!

[JGranberry]

Hi, I was thinking of using MMO and Power services/or Lucas additives with Jet-A in my 12v. In our Detroit Diesel work truck, we pumped over 8 million gallons/10~ years of heavy usage. No issues!... well, the oil was thinning out some recently and smelled a little of Jet-A. Our 24v CTD is using it now and no issues, except one injector pump. It does start a lot faster when using Power Services additive and again, this truck gets very heavy usage.

Jet-A will not have as much upper cylinder lubrication, hence using additives. It also does not produce as much power/energy as Diesel 2 since it's API is higher, also should get lower MPG. Cummins service bulletin states it can be used as an "emergency" fuel.



Any thoughts? Thanx-jt

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

For peace of mind throw a quart or two of cheap engine oil in the tank for each fillup, even used oil that's free of debris/junk. Should be fine on a 12v if a 24v has done OK on it.

 

[MStrain]

What is the point of doing this, is it cheaper than diesel?

 

[The patriot]

If the price is right, I'd be running it!

Put a good quality 2 stroke oil in each tank. I'd run a quatr or two a tank, but that's just a guess on how much.

 

[DonTX]

When I worked at an FBO, we dealt in thousands of gallons of Jet A, and used it for our line trucks, the fuel trucks, the bobcat, portable stairs, etc, anything that was diesel. We never had a problem, if anything I think it is a better diesel than pump diesel.

Our only problem was that of course it had no highway tax paid on it, so we kinda kept it a company secret.

 

[jkidd]

it has a little less BTU probably similar to Bio diesel, mileage will go down 5-10% but if it is free, just make sure you have some lube added

 

[JoeBioDiesel]

I might be wrong, but I believe that the 12V is spec'd to run Jet A. As others have said, add the lube of your choice (2 stroke/additive) and run it.

Joe

 

[telliott]

if you get a deal on it, i'd go for it, but i thought kerosene was more expensive than #2?

 

[DonTX]

It has bothered me for several days - - what would prompt one to say that a lubricant should be added?

 

[Msilbernagel]

Don,



Strictly speaking, you're not supposed to need it (lubricity improvers) for #2. Yet, many use it anyway because testing has shown that in the US, there is considerable variation, and measured values can run quite close to the point of harming the pumps.



My understanding, admittedly limited, is that aviation fuels are 'lighter' and could have a lower lubricity.



That is my reasoning - more of an insurance policy, like the many who run MMO, than an absolute requirement.



It could be, if such figures are available, that the lubricity of Jet-A is just fine and I'm being too careful?



Mark

-

It has bothered me for several days - - what would prompt one to say that a lubricant should be added?

 

[DonTX]

Thanks, I understand the logic now.

 

[Champane Flight]

Lubricity

Jet A is not dosed with lubricity at terminal, and carrys very little from refinery stage. This was not always the case before ULSD, but since, jet A does not have the lubricity it used to have. It does have the same characteristics as #1 diesel, same gravity, same flash, same color, only diffrences is the lubricity level, and jet A has a anti-flash additive. You can throw a little non-detergent oil into the mix and be fine. But, I really cannot see using it unless the temps are in the -30 or below, you get less power, and less mileage.

 

[JGranberry]

I agree with all of your posts guys, nothing new AND a nice re-assurance!!

 

[CanadianCarGuy]

Jet A has 135,000 Btu's

Diesel has 138,000 Btu

Biodiesel has 126,206 Btu

Crude oil has 138,000 Btu

Residual fuel 149,700 btu



So my guess is kerosene and jetfuel doesn't have that much less power or mileage than number 2, the different would be almost insignificant. I have run kerosene and 2 stroke oil in a pinch and really liked the way my 98 24valve ran on it, sounded neat.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I use Kero when making DSE blend fuel, but the best price I can find for kerosene around here is $4. 95 per gallon if you bring your own container. 5-gallon pails is like $5. 40/gal.

 

[The patriot]

I use Kero when making DSE blend fuel, but the best price I can find for kerosene around here is $4. 95 per gallon if you bring your own container. 5-gallon pails is like $5. 40/gal.

That's nuts.

The only place that has true 1K (clear) by me is actually cheaper than diesel right now.

It could be that he hasnt changed his sign from last year. $2. 99. 9 a gallon.

 

[CanadianCarGuy]

Holy crap that's cheap! I can't find it anywhere less than double the price of diesel. Where are you located?