Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Burning used oil???

[AlFischer]

My son-in-law is taking used oil, filtering it through a 10 micron filter and putting it in the fuel tank of his 2001 DC diesel. Says that in Las Vegas they fuel an entire buss fleet with recycled french fry oil mixed with diesel.



Sounds logical but it this going to cause any damage to anything? I am not questioning the legality of this as I am ssure the EPA would not approve of his plan. What if any is the RISK of doing this??

 

[RBeard]

Just don't exceed the approved Diesel/oil ratio

 

[klenger]

I wouldn't want it going through my injection pump.

 

[dieselsam59]

do you know what carbon is?

used oil would cause quite a bit of carbon build up on the pistons if you ask me. More carbon ---Less power and fuel economy. in the long run it probably hurts the fuel economy almost as musch as it gains

 

[bmorrison]

I was involved in a government research project about 6-8 yrs ago where we burned recycled vegtable oils and soybean esters, in various mixtures up to 100%, in Cummins ISB's and an L10. Ran great and didn't cause any abnormal carbon build-up.



Running used motor oil is a different story, the chemistry is different and I agree, you'll probably end up with some deposit problems.



As an aside, we also ran a CRC knock engine on mixtures of coal dust and water/detergent. Talk about wearing things out in a hurry!

 

[Ram_Kowboy]

Burning used motor oil in the fuel is a long held tradition in the heavy trucking industry. It is EPA approved. I know of several truck fleets that do it in our area. I thought about running the used motor oil thru my truck when I first bought it. Never did do it though. Just couldn't justify an experiment like that on a brand new $35,000 truck. Besides its just too easy to properly dispose of used oil now a days. Just take it to any auto parts store.



RK

 

[Sticks]

If it is burned correctly, there are no additional emissions. The garage that I do contract work out of has a heater for the winter that runs solely on used motor oil. They even get kickbacks from the government for using it.



http://www.qsequipment.com/reznor/rezgate.html



http://www.usedoilheaters.com/WhyBurnWasteOil.html



There is also a system available for our trucks that "Never change your oil again". It has a separate reservoir of oil that slowly puts fresh oil into the engine on one end, and the other injects the used oil into the fuel.



http://www.oilmate.com/html/howitworks/



A number of the TDR members burn their used oil, or even add clean oil to the system. Helps lubricate the VP44.

 

[Butch Brandt]

I know of fleet big rigs burning their used oil, but I can't get anybody to tell me how much oil per diesel. Is 1 quart per tank OK?

 

[AlFischer]

Son in Law says he sometimes puts in a 50-50 mix. Claims it has more power than straight diesel... Scary.

 

[illflem]

From http://www.chevron.com/prodserv/fuels/bulletin/diesel/L2_qa_fs.htm



Can I get rid of my used engine oil by adding it to diesel fuel?

Adding used engine oil to diesel fuel used to be a common practice. However, it almost certainly results in a blend that does not meet diesel fuel specifications. One or more of these properties may be too high: 90% boiling point, sulfur content, ash, water and sediment, viscosity, and carbon residue. A diesel fuel/used oil blend may not be sold as diesel fuel, and we recommend against using it as a diesel fuel.

In California, addition of used engine oil to diesel fuel is a violation of hazardous waste regulations. Diesel fuel users in other areas who may consider this practice should check for any applicable regulations.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Here is my opinion FWIW

1. Why? you can't save much money up front and used oil can be recycled so the environment won't really benefit from trying to burn that stuff.

2. the VP44 currently lists for $2180 at Bosch shops, and my Bosch guy says they are going WAY up very soon. Big rigs don't use this pump or even this type of injection system. The VP44 is fragile enough without adding oil, especially oil with contaminants.

3. There are lots of big rig legends out there. Most are based on fiction or at best partial knowledge.

4. Long term damage and costs are unknown, but it's your dollars and your engine.



No flaming was intended; hope these comments help you reach a decision.

 

[Steve Campbell]

Joseph....

slightly off topic here...



Did your "Bosch" guy happen to say why he thought VP44 were going way up in price in the hear future?

 

[RowJ]

Was a common practice to burn used oil or used transmission fluid in big rigs up until about 10 years ago. Gave good upper cylinder, fuel pump & injector lubrication. However there is a big down side. With newer diesel engine designs it is not a good idea. Biggest problem is deposits-primarily soot - which is unburned components of the added oils. Your engine may run fine for up to 100,000 miles +/- but somewhere down the road it will start talking back to you.

The used oil injection system, mentioned above, being tried by some big rig manufacturers is working ok so far. But it involves a very small percentage of oil to diesel fuel. If I remember the artical I read said 2% mix ratio AND it's only done with the newest diesel oil - rated CI-4 - for maximum soot/deposit control.

 

[982500]

burning oil

not to beat this subject to death, but if its ok to use all these so-called injector cleaners and upper cyl lubes whats would with throwing a couple of quarts of fresh 30 wt now and then? how could that be bad for the pump?

 

[AlFischer]

The question I asked had to do with burning USED oil that had been filtered and even used french fry oil. It appears to me at this time that there could be some risks with doing so. Son-inlaw collects used oil from friends and neighbors, filters it and throws it in his 2001. Think I am going to pass on this practice. $30k truck and living on a retirement income without a working wife.



What he is saying is that Las Vegas is fueling a good percentage of their busses this way. Course they have even MORE maney than we do!!!

 

[illflem]

As was said before French fry oil and used motor oil are two different things, the fry oil hasn't been around a combustion process.

 

[RowJ]

98 2500

To my way of thinking - the difference is a big one! Engine oil is not blended to be burned. In fact it is blended not to burn easily, for obvious reasons. When it does burn, it burns with lots of black smoke. This smoke is made up of the unburned particles in the oil; the same particles that will leave soot & carbon inside your engine.

Fuel conditioners are designed to burn cleanly so as NOT to leave deposits.

To Al F. - Good decision, IMHO.