Used engine oil recycling - again!

[Gary - K7GLD]

With the ever upward spiral of fuel costs (OPEC today predicts crude going to $80 a barrel! ), I am seriously considering running my drained crankcase oil into my fuel tank.



I have an exceptionally clean oil setup, using a Frantz bypass filter that keeps the oil quite clean of wear metals, and also keeps random particle sizes well below anything dangerous to fuel system components.



I see little reason to haul my drain oil to GIVE to some recycling center, when at current local fuel pricing, my 3 gallons of used oil is worth about $8 to ME as fuel!



I figure 1 quart per tank of fuel won't hurt anything, or cause excessive smoke - we'll see...

 

[Rman]

As fuel costs rise my interest in this does as well.

 

[E7mack96]

used oil burns fine. We burn it for heat in a Clean Burn furnace. Nothing like free heat. I have also mixed it with the diesel for the older rigs with no problems. just do it!

 

[Pmaloney]

I'm thinking of doing this also, but will probably run 3 gallons per tankful, that would be 31 gallons diesel and 3 oil, I would think it would be fine and the VP-44 should be happier. JMO though

 

[keimmmo]

I have run BARRELS of used motor oil through my trucks with no apparent problems. However, Cummins recommends not to exceed 1 gallon of oil to 20 gallons of fuel. If your fuel is too thick it will produce super high pressures in the injection pump and actually can become harmful instead of helpful! Now, if you are adding pure 5W-30 to your fuel, you can run a LITTLE heavier. However, if you are running straight 40 weight, I wouldn't even run it at 20 to 1! The thickness of the oil makes a BIG difference in how strong a ratio you can run!!!



The factory fuel filter will filter out any harmful abrasives. However, the cleaner the oil you pour into the tank the longer your filters will last. Personally, I moved the lift pump back in front of the fuel tank. I run the fuel through a cheap 2 qt spin-on filter first and then the factory filter. I have a fuel pressure gauge and change my filters when the fuel pressure drops about 2 psi on the gauge. If I don't happen to buy a tank of dirty fuel, I can run 25,000 miles on the pair of filters! I think my system saves money in the long run!



Steve

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

In addition to the Frantz sub-micron bypass oil filter I have installed, I also use the same type Frantz FUEL filter as well - so fuel solids impurities shouldn't be any problem - and since the only waste oil I have to deal with is from the truck, no need to be in a big hurry to get it thru the engine by excessive percentages...

 

[CGriffith]

Gary you shouldn't have any problems with your clean oil and a tp fuel filter. Might want to carry an extra roll with you.



For those of you with VP44s pumps, I would seriously consider filtering your oil through a good TP filter before you run it. The VP uses fuel for it's lubrication while the P pumps uses engine oil. If your fuel filter gets plugged quickly on a VP it could shorten it's already short life. If you want to run used oil through your VP, put on a fuel pressure gauge and carry an extra filter at the very least. Keep in mind one fuel filter will negate the money saved burning used oil. On the plus side a little extra CLEAN oil in the fuel could extend the life of a VP some.

I have run many gallons of prefiltered oil through my P7100. Just my 2 cents.

 

[n7gxz]

I've started adding my drained oil to the fuel, 1 gallon to a tank, and the first thing I noticed was that the VP44 quitited (sp?) down alot. I'm just about to fill up the tank again, this was my first full tank running with the oil mix, but it is looking at this point that mileage may be up a little.



Kevin

 

[TRLRTRSH]

Burning used oil

Guys, what about us with the newer HPCR engine? I see only one reply with an "03", but the post did not mention that he burns used oil in it



Bill

 

[keimmmo]

ANY diesel should be able to burn used oil. The keys are to keep it as clean as possible and keep the quantity reasonable. Start with a quart or two per tank and work up to the 20 to 1 ratio if you want to use more oil.



I am convinced that the oil improves my economy. I couldn't really comment on the VP-44 being quieter... I added oil to my truck when it had only 100 miles on it!!!



Steve

 

[klenger]

I am convinced that the oil improves my economy.

I'm sure it would. You are buring unmetered fuel, unless you are calculating your milage based on fuel + oil added.

 

[rbattelle]

I'd like to do this, but fear what it might do to my injector pump.



-Ryan

 

[redram]

Guys, burning motor oil will have some long term potential negatives as well as the positives that have already been mentioned.

Burning 'used' motor oil could have even more negatives.



Motor oil contains additives for detergency, dispersancy, and anti-wear that are made of components called metallic ash. Basically, they contain magnesium, calcium, zinc and phosphorus compunds that when combusted (burned) they can leave deposits. The white / brownish deposits on exhaust valves are typical caused by these compounds that push past the rings in a combustion environment.

Burning 'used' motor oil will contain those compounds as well as combustion byproducts such as acids and would increase the potential for corrosive tendancies of these contaminants in the fuel. Corrosion could lead to quicker injector degradation.



The diesel engine oil is a four cycle formualtion and is not 'designed / formulated' to burn such as a two cycle oil is.



A better alternative to using motor oil would be to use a synthetic two cycle TCW III oil that is formulated with virtually ashless additives and baseoils designed to be mixed with fuel and are proven to burn virtually deposit free.



Although mixing used motor oil with diesel has been done for years by many truckers in the older less advanced injector systems, it would not be the best thing for the new common rail system where even the slightest injector deposit on the tip or control check valve could lead to decreased atomization of the fuel.



On the VP pump, using a lubricity additive or two cycle oil as low in ash content would benefit the injector pump. The P7100 is fairly bullet proof but will still benefit from the use of a quality lubricity additive or two cycle oil.



ATF would fall into the same category as motor oil - not the best thing to add to your fuel as it is designed 'not to burn'.



Use the used motor oil to heat the garage - those burners are designed for it. Adding used motor oil will theoretically reduce your fuel mileage as it will decrease the BTU value of the fuel charge as compared to the fuel charge composed of just #2 diesel. (just like winter diesel typically gets less mpg due to the increase in por point depressants and anti-gells)



Anybody know if someone makes an A/C unit designed to run on used motor oil? In the Gulf Coast, I'd love to put one in my garage for the 95 degree / 95 percent humidity days! Oo.



Cheers.

 

[WBusa]

Good post, redram; thanks. I know some folks swear they have no problem with burning used engine oil, and I'll respect that, but every time I think about doing it, it comes down to this (for me):

1. On the plus side: gaining... what, maybe $10 worth?... of 'free' fuel per year.

2. On the negative side: risking my $8,000 engine.

To me, that doesn't add up.

 

[dodge cummins]

i read other post where guys say that you cannot run brand new oil but used oil only, is this true? i see that the new cummins engines are designed to run on oil mixed into the fuel. we have to do something soon because our fuel is getting dryer by the year and i don't want to spend 10 additional dollars aweek on howes lubricant.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

There IS a question as to the long term, or high percentage use of motor oils in our engines, and 2 opposing factors (3, if you add rising fuel costs!).



Most of the additives in oil are wear-reducing - stuff like Molybdenum and Boron - those SHOULD be as beneficial to the close-fitting injection and injector parts as they are to cylinder walls and piston rings.



As to exactly WHAT components in typical used lube offset the benefit when used as fuel, I have no idea - but hope that the somewhat extreme filtration MY lube and fuel goes thru will reduce unpleasant side effects to a minimum...



Here's a shot of the 2 Frantz filters I use - the sub-micron oil bypass on one side of the engine, the fuel filter on the other.



#ad

 

[DKayser]

How much Howes are you adding?

i see that the new cummins engines are designed to run on oil mixed into the fuel. we have to do something soon because our fuel is getting dryer by the year and i don't want to spend 10 additional dollars aweek on howes lubricant.

How much fuel are you burning a week? At 4-6 oz. to a tank of fuel, a bottle should go a long way. I`m thinking about throwing the WVO in there as fuel goes up. Anybody blending it in there yet? DK.

 

[JPereira]

Are there hand pumps that can be purchased to filter oil before adding the oil to fuel tank? Or maybe small electric pump/filter configuration? I am looking into sources of where I could purchase a pump for filtering my dirty oil. I keep my oil in a 30 gallon plastic drum. I presently give my oil to a friend that has a waste oil heater.

Thanks, Jeff

 

[CGriffith]

Are there hand pumps that can be purchased to filter oil before adding the oil to fuel tank? Or maybe small electric pump/filter configuration? I am looking into sources of where I could purchase a pump for filtering my dirty oil. I keep my oil in a 30 gallon plastic drum. I presently give my oil to a friend that has a waste oil heater.

I mounted a 30 gal steel barrel up on a shelf in my shop and just let gravity do the work. This way you can allow the oil to slow filter which will result in cleaner oil. I cut my used oil with #2 and run it through a motorguard tp filter. You won't believe the crap you filter out of the oil that just came out of your engine!