is kerosene safe to run in a diesel?

[rod77zilla]

I just wanted to check something out. A friend of mine has a 12 valver and swears by running a 50/50 mix of kereosene and diesel. I wanted to know if there was any thing that could be harmed by running it. I have run it a couple of times and noticed a little more power. I worked at a dealership for a while and I have all the manuals for my truck, but somehow i don't think either one of these would be able to answer this question.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

DO NOT run that mix in a 24V or kiss your injection pump goodbye. I would strongly advise mixing kerosene (which is a solvent) with diesel fuel (which is a lubricant). I have heard of it being done before back in the 50's but technology has long since proved it is a BAD idea. Why anybody wants to risk a $4,000 dollar engine in a 30 thousand dollar truck on these pointless fuel ideas, i dont know. There was another post talking about running JET A in a Cummins. #2 diesel fuel is not that expensive, it works fine in the ISB, it was designed to use it. There is no need to "Improve" the fuel. And using anything like the above mentioned on the 24V which uses the fuel to lubricate the injection pump, you are asking for trouble. Why people would want to go through the trouble of mixing (And most likeley not perectly) and storing these fuels to save a few bucks is beyond me. I work for a railroad that spends over 1 million dollars a DAY on Diesel fuel (that is not an exxageration). Trust me, if using any of these combos was a performance enhancer, or a way to make the same power, for less money, we would have been doing it LONG ago.

 

[LandShark]

Rodzilla: How about just looking in your owners manual? Here's a quote from my 1995 owners manual:

"For most year-round service, number 2 diesel fuel meeting ASTM specification D-975 will provide good performance. If the vehicle is exposed to extreme cold (below 0F/-18C), or is required to operate at colder-than-normal conditions for prolonged conditions for prolonged periods, use climatized No. 2 diesel fuel or dilute the No. 2 diesel fuel with 50% kerosene or No. 1 diesel fuel. This will provide better protection from fuel gelling or wax-plugging of the fuel filters. "

Does this apply to 24v? Beats me! What's your owner's manual call for? BTW: I couldn't find this type of info in the service manual.

If I had a bunch of free kerosene that I needed to dispose of, I would put a couple of gallons in a each fill-up. Othewise, why bother?

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1995 2500 SLT Club 4x4, auto, 3. 54, 3600 pound Elkhorn slide in camper, AirLift air springs, Ricka dual wheel adapters (used only with the camper on), K&N, DC tow hooks, Rancho RS9000, Hellwig rear sway bar.
111,000 miles and counting.

 

[MikeR]

A 12 valve can get away with that because the pump is lubricated by engine oil. DO NOT DO THIS TO YOUR 24 VALVE! The pump is lubricated by diesel fuel,so don't dilute the pumps life blood. Don't be foolish!

-Mike

 

[hammong]

I remember reading that the 24-valve trucks could use Kerosene, No. 1 diesel, or Jet A, but that a quart of standard motor oil per 10 gallons of fuel was necessary to provide the lubrication properties.

I had some kerosene that I wanted to get rid of, and I mixed it in with my truck with no ill effects evident. I did, however, dilute it in a ratio of about 25 gallons No. 2 with 5 gallons kerosene - a pretty low mix.

Greg

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Y2K Dodge Cummins QC 2500 SLT Laramie 4x4 Long Bed, 4. 10/Auto, Forest Green/Driftwood, 265x75R16 Michelin LTX, 6 speaker CD, Camper/Tow/Plow Packages, Westin Black Nerfs, Mopar bedliner, Ultra bright diamondplate toolbox, K&N Filtercharger. Autometer EGT and Boost gauges with 2-gauge pillar coming soon!

http://www.rints.com/hammond for photos!

 

[Dave Fritz]

From my Diesel Fuel FAQ - Using other Fuels (This information came from Josh Berman)

VE pump (pre '94) and VP-44 (98. 5+ 24 valve) (VE and VP-44 pumps are fuel lubricated).
"OK": #1-D Diesel or #2 Fuel Oil (diesel) only. Alternate fuels listed for the P7100 pump may be used in the VE pump if if 5% lube oil is added.

P7100 pump ('94 to 98. 5 12 Valve engines). (P7100 pumps are internally lubricated by engine oil)
"OK": #1 & #2 Diesel, 1K & 2K Kerosene, Jet-A, Jet A-1, JP-5, and JP-8.
NOT OK under any circumstances: Jet-B, JP-4, and Cite

Dave

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1994 2500HD 4X4 modified for off-road camping
2001 2500 ETH/DEE QC SB 4X4
Fritz's DodgeRam.org

 

[5thram]

Rodzilla.....
Excellent post! I had the same question. I guess I'll burn my kerosene in the lamps after the next storm. Go Dogs!!!!!!!
Henry

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2001. 5 intenseblue 2500 ETH/DEE 4WD QC sportpkg, all the options but the cowhide, mostly stock. NRA, AMA member

 

[LandShark]

Don't any of you 24v guys have an owners manual? Who will be the first to read it and let us know what it requires for diesel fuel or alternate fuels? Everyone has an opinion on what fuels you can burn, but a good starting point would be what Dodge requires, then we can get into discussing bio-fuel, kerosene, propane, nitrous and nuclear fuel for our toys!

[This message has been edited by LandShark (edited 05-10-2001). ]

 

[Sleepy Creek]

Got the rest of the day off--

My 2001. 5 D/C Owners Manual says

"For year round service use No 2 Dieel. If vehicle is exposed to extreme cold or is required to operate at colder than normal conditions or prolonged periods use No 2 Diesel mixed w/ 50% No 1 diesel. "

Kerosene is not mentioned in my manual.

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2001. 5 (del'd 1/31/01)2500 SLT Quad 4x4 155"WB, ETC, auto trans (DGP), tow pkg, camper pkg, MOPAR bedliner, 4. 10s, Patriot Blue ...
Jed DuVall

 

[MCummings]

I'll put a personal opinion up here.

I feel that since the pump is lubricated by diesel fuel, If/When you put kerosene, or a fuel that is less lubricating than #2 Diesel,
It would be SIMILAR to putting a VERY, VERY lightweight oil in your engine.

So, This is how I feel. .

When you put Kerosene, etc. in your truck, you should also change your engine oil to a 5w-10 Gasoline engine oil.
Two reasons to do this.

1. Just Like kerosene,, Lightweight oil is less money.

2. If you ar willing to save money on fuel, at the expense of your $,$$$ Injection pump, then you would be more than happy to save money on your oil and put 5w-10 or less weight oil in your crankcase, at the expense of your complete engine block.

Moral of the story:

Don't be cheap with your $30K+ investment, You BOUGHT the BEST, now give your truck the BEST.

MerrickNJr

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1998. 5 Dodge 3500, 2wd
5-Speed, Light Driftwood
STRAIGHT PIPED!
3. 55_LSD
A. R. E. Camper w/side pop up windows
Michelin LTX 245/75/16's
Autometer Gaugeworks 3 Gauge A-Pillar Pod
Fuel Pressure (0-15Lbs)
Boost Pressure (0-35Lbs)
EGT Gauge (0-1600*F)
ATS Manifold too!!

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Well said Bomber

 

[JMoglia]

I'M SURE MOST OF US FEEL THE SAME,THESE TRUCKS DESERVE THE BEST JDM JOE

 

[rod77zilla]

Well Well It seems that I have opened a can of worms with this question and I'm glad I asked. Now for all you people who act like it was a dumb idea, I have this to say: I do have all the books on my truck. It tells you how to properly maintain and repair a totally stock truck. It does not tell you what are good ideas and what are bad ideas when it comes to modifying your truck. For example it says nothing about hooking up an EZ box, running smaller turbine housings, K&N air filters, propane injection, nitrous or any of these other modifications that everybody on this website is okay with. I did not know that the injector pump was lubed by the fuel, so I definitely won't be running any kerosene any more. The service manuals are good for dealing with stock trucks in normal driving situations. I was looking at kerosene for performance reasons only. But I do appreciate the responses even though some make me sound like some sort of jackass.

 

[illflem]

You are by no means a jackass, if you live in the northern states you are more than likely getting a winter blend of #1(kerosene) and #2 every winter if you like it or not. It is fairly routine for most stations to carry only the blend from Nov thru Feb. I'm surprised no one else mentioned it.

 

[Crash_AF]

One side note, Kerosene is an acceptable emergency fuel if you can't get anything else right away.

Here's my two cents, the Armed Forces use JP8 in all of their diesel powered vehicles in the European theater (to simplify logistics). The biggest issue is plugged filters within the first couple hundred operating hours from crud in the lines being dissolved. We used it in some B Series powered Onan generators with no ill effects, but those are 12 valves.

So in a nutshell, I would use it if I had to or had LOTS of free fuel (Like 300 gals since that's $477 worth of fuel @ $1. 59/gal), but I wouldn't swap back and forth a lot.

Another interesting thought is that if Dodge wins the COMBATT contract, we'll find out if an ISB can live on JP8 and stay happy...

Later,
Joe

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Joe Hinson, 93 D-350
3in straight pipe, pump turned up 20%, ISSPRO pyro - For now

 

[John Berger]

I was hot tailing it for the door to get mine, then I remembered it was in the shop for the 2nd day in a row #ad
From memory I can tell you there is a similar statement in my owner's manual, but I won't try to quote it verbatim.

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1999 Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab 2wd; 5 spd; 4:10 LSD rear; Mag-Hytec differential cover; US Gear EGT and Boost gauges. Stewart Warner Fuel Pressure Gauge with dual senders, Westach Oil Temp Gauge for differential. Rancho 9000's on order, PowerEdge EZ Box, Amsoil foam air filter and synthetics in the motor and differential. Cummins Power, don't leave home without it

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Sorry if i sounded harsh, one thing i cant stand about the internet is there is no way to show sarcasm or to show you are talking in a joking manner. I most certainly was not implying you were a Jackass.
My long time words to live by is "The only dumb question is the one that is not asked" That is the truth. You will never learn, if you never ask. I myself have learned alot from the TDR. I dont even think twice if a response seems to be belittleing. Its just shop talk, a bunch of guys BSing about our trucks. Good question though.

 

[5thram]

I put some molasses in mine once. It wanted to fly! Seriously, you won't find a better bunch to chat with than right here... . Go Dogs!!!

 

[MCummings]

Oh, OH, OH, Ouch.
No.
I did not intend to put anybody down, I was just trying to give an example, or comparison when the VP44 doesn't get enough lubrication.

I'm sorry If I offended anyone with the reasoning of my own.

MerrickNJr

 

[Harry V]

I did some research on this as I have on occasion access to Jet A fuel. Cummins has a service bulletin that describes all of the approved fuels. Off hand I don't remeber the number as I am at work and the bulletin is at home. I sent an e mail to the tech dept on the Cummins home page and they responded. I seem to recall that I had to buy the Service Bulletin. I can surely dig it up if you would like a copy.

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1999 2500 SLT 4X4 QuadCab Shortbed, AT, Driftwood, Rancho RS9000, Deck Lid, ISSPRO 0-50 psi boost, Pyrometer and Trans Temp gauges on Triple A pillar mount and ..... we're just gettin' started!

1995 M3 Hell Rot 5sp AT

1967 Piper Cherokee 180