Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) burning used motor oil

[n4hwl]

I wind up with quiet a bit of used motor oil left over from all my cars. Is there a way I can process this oil and mix it with the diesel and burn it. .



Ken

 

[SnoKing]

Cummins stand is #2 diesel or #1/#2 blend in winter. Just recycle it! SNOKING

 

[jjohn]

Burning motor oil

Ken,

I have read of a system on large equipment where oil is slowly drawn from the crankcase into the fuel tank. There is a fresh oil reservoir to replenish the crankcase with fresh oil. The oil is never changed all at once. . just the filter. I'll see if I can find where I was reading this.



I found it interesting. Even if you did burn filtered used oil in your truck I would “guess” (I have no Idea) the quantity of oil per tank would be small and you would still have excess oil to dispose.



Read post #14

http://www.tdr1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115486



http://www.tdr1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=139301&highlight=used+motor+oil

 

[DLausche]

I have burned used oil in my truck. Up to 3 gallons in a full tank. It runs perfectly fine with oil mixed in the diesel. Some say it is not good for the VP and/or injectors. I think in small quantities (1 gal per tankful) it will not hurt anything but I have no facts to back that up with. You do need to change your fuel filter more often if you decide to do this.



-Deon

 

[keimmmo]

I have been adding used oil to the fuel since both my trucks were new. When fuel prices got high, I was adding up to 3 gallons to a tank on the 01. 5. I normally just add a gallon per 20-25 gallon fill. One friend up in Illinois is running 40% used oil and 60% diesel!!! That is pretty strong in my opinion!



I have tried filtering the oil, but decided it just isn't worth it. Just set the used oil in jugs in a nice warm place for a week or so... the dirt settles out. When you pour it into the tank, leave a 1/4 inch or so of oil in the jug. You don't have to make this into rocket science!



I DO have a pre-filter on both my trucks. It is not required, but I think it is a good idea. I change filters based on fuel pressure... and commonly go 25k between changes. I must not be getting TOO much dirt in the fuel!



The "purists" will tell you that the owners manuel says "diesel fuel only". But, any diesel motor will run fine on a number of fuels and combinations.



Steve Keim

 

[SKneeland]

just a thought, but is it possible you are spending more on fuel filters than you are actually saving by burning a couple dollars worth of oil?

 

[Cummins Cowboy]

isn't our cummins rated to run on 5% used oil??or is that the bio spec

 

[Texas Diesel]

just a thought, but is it possible you are spending more on fuel filters than you are actually saving by burning a couple dollars worth of oil?

That is a good question, I wondered the same thing. But keeping track of the cost has shown a net savings. Settling the oil like Steve does works. I put my used oil in a 5 gallon pail and use a lid with a built in pump and push it through a $5, 10 micron filter. The filter assembly is $25 shipped but you have make a bracket (took 10 minutes).



The added benefit is the lubricity of the oil as well as reduced fuel costs (little).



Steve has a filter on his truck the same size as mine and he gets 25k miles out of each filter.



I have a Vulcan big line kit, relocated OEM pump pushing into a frame mounted, 10 micron, EASY_TO_CHANGE $5 filter. Life is good.



I ran used motor oil and/or two cycle oil for 90k miles on my old 01 and it ran like a sewing machine when I sold it.



The current problems I am having with my VP on the (used) 01 3500 I bought vanish when I run 75:1 on the mix. My feeling is that since the problems go away with lots of oil in the fuel, the VP internals are somewhat galled from the dry (low lubricity) junk the EPA makes us use. The refineries add a light oil to the fuel to compensate. But get a batch of diesel that is low on added light oil (at the refining level) and, drum roll, internal timing failure.



I saw a thread some time back on autopsies on dead VP's. Many of them had seized rotors and galled pumps. Geee, I wonder why?



Adding oil to the fuel makes sense even if you didn't save any money.



JMO

 

[jjohn]

I ran used motor oil and/or two cycle oil for 90k miles on my old 01 and it ran like a sewing machine when I sold it.



The current problems I am having with my VP on the (used) 01 3500 I bought vanish when I run 75:1 on the mix. My feeling is that since the problems go away with lots of oil in the fuel, the VP internals are somewhat galled from the dry (low lubricity) junk the EPA makes us use. The refineries add a light oil to the fuel to compensate. But get a batch of diesel that is low on added light oil (at the refining level) and, drum roll, internal timing failure.



I saw a thread some time back on autopsies on dead VP's. Many of them had seized rotors and galled pumps. Geee, I wonder why?



Adding oil to the fuel makes sense even if you didn't save any money.



JMO

I’ve been watching this post and find it very interesting. I’ve always used Stanadyne for the lubricity thing, never missed a fill up, along with meticulous maintenance… yet I’m on my third VP$$ In 97K. A little added lubricity sure couldn’t hurt.

I’ve been giving my used motor oil to a Farmer Friend with a waist oil heater in his shop and probably will continue to do so.

However with the new reduced sulfur/lubricity fuels you sure bring up a good point.

 

[keimmmo]

The Cummins IS rated to handle 5% motor oil... that figures out to 20 to 1... which is about what I am running most of the time.



I find that thin multi-grade automotive oil burns the best. 15W-40 diesel and 20W-50 automotive oils are still fine. Single weights seem to make more smoke, but work fine. Some fellows say hydraulic oil is fine, but I have had trouble with it gumming up things. Some say not to use ATF in the fuel, but I have used BARROLS of it without a problem. DO NOT use gear lube!!!



I tried mixing oil with bio-diesel this last trip. It ran fine, but raised clouds of blue smoke if I ran over 5% oil in the B-20! You should probably use one or the other... not both.



Steve Keim