Can a diesel car run on Heating Oil?
Discussion
Aren't there different types of heating oil? Its been a while now but when I moved into a place with oil I had to read some numbers off the boiler to the oil people so they knew which type to give me. I think one type is something like 28 sec, and is equivalent to kerosene/parrafin. I'm guessing that this would not be great for a diesel engine. Theres another type, 30 something sec which is heavier, more like diesel.
Worth checking before you fuel up...
eta, here you go - http://www.rye-oil.ltd.uk/fuels.htm
Worth checking before you fuel up...
eta, here you go - http://www.rye-oil.ltd.uk/fuels.htm
Edited by buggalugs on Monday 2nd June 14:56
I live in a rural area and heat the house with Kerosene. My last fillup cost me over £1200! I use "28 second" Kerosene and that's by far the more common sort for domestic heating. The other sort is "35 second" and is more viscous. The names refer to the time a ball bearing of a particular diameter takes to fall a set distance through the liquid. I would need to change the burner jet on my boiler and the pump pressure if I wanted to use the "35 second" stuff.
I have to say that I find it very hard to believe that it and road fuel are "exactly the same stuff" - given that there are at least two distinct types of central heating oil! It does also smell quite different and I keep mine in a plastic tank - just like I keep the stuff for my car in a plastic tank (but under the car)!
That doesn't mean to say a car won't run on central heating oil - but as has been said, I wouldn't risk it in a modern "common rail" diesel. This has come up on various "boaty" fora that I frequent because boats are going to loose their entitlement to run on "red" diesel shortly. Again, debate rages over whether it's the "same stuff" and I think that the difference might come after the main refining process (where road fuel gets a load of other additives lobbed in as it is pumped into the tankers for distribution to the filling stations.
The only other bit of information I have is that I know for a fact that at least one major manufacturer produces their old "Euro III" diesel engones for China. Their "Euro IV" engines got lousy reputations for reliability but it was, in fact, down to the relatively poor quality of the fuel available in China. The older engine (fuel system) designs were much more tolerant of poor quality diesel fuel. Although not directly related to this issue, it does (to me at least) again suggest that you don't need much difference, chemically, for it not to be "the same stuff"!
I have to say that I find it very hard to believe that it and road fuel are "exactly the same stuff" - given that there are at least two distinct types of central heating oil! It does also smell quite different and I keep mine in a plastic tank - just like I keep the stuff for my car in a plastic tank (but under the car)!
That doesn't mean to say a car won't run on central heating oil - but as has been said, I wouldn't risk it in a modern "common rail" diesel. This has come up on various "boaty" fora that I frequent because boats are going to loose their entitlement to run on "red" diesel shortly. Again, debate rages over whether it's the "same stuff" and I think that the difference might come after the main refining process (where road fuel gets a load of other additives lobbed in as it is pumped into the tankers for distribution to the filling stations.
The only other bit of information I have is that I know for a fact that at least one major manufacturer produces their old "Euro III" diesel engones for China. Their "Euro IV" engines got lousy reputations for reliability but it was, in fact, down to the relatively poor quality of the fuel available in China. The older engine (fuel system) designs were much more tolerant of poor quality diesel fuel. Although not directly related to this issue, it does (to me at least) again suggest that you don't need much difference, chemically, for it not to be "the same stuff"!
Avocet said:
I live in a rural area and heat the house with Kerosene. My last fillup cost me over £1200! I use "28 second" Kerosene and that's by far the more common sort for domestic heating. The other sort is "35 second" and is more viscous. The names refer to the time a ball bearing of a particular diameter takes to fall a set distance through the liquid. I would need to change the burner jet on my boiler and the pump pressure if I wanted to use the "35 second" stuff.
I have to say that I find it very hard to believe that it and road fuel are "exactly the same stuff" - given that there are at least two distinct types of central heating oil! It does also smell quite different and I keep mine in a plastic tank - just like I keep the stuff for my car in a plastic tank (but under the car)!
That doesn't mean to say a car won't run on central heating oil - but as has been said, I wouldn't risk it in a modern "common rail" diesel. This has come up on various "boaty" fora that I frequent because boats are going to loose their entitlement to run on "red" diesel shortly. Again, debate rages over whether it's the "same stuff" and I think that the difference might come after the main refining process (where road fuel gets a load of other additives lobbed in as it is pumped into the tankers for distribution to the filling stations.
The only other bit of information I have is that I know for a fact that at least one major manufacturer produces their old "Euro III" diesel engones for China. Their "Euro IV" engines got lousy reputations for reliability but it was, in fact, down to the relatively poor quality of the fuel available in China. The older engine (fuel system) designs were much more tolerant of poor quality diesel fuel. Although not directly related to this issue, it does (to me at least) again suggest that you don't need much difference, chemically, for it not to be "the same stuff"!
Agreed I have to say that I find it very hard to believe that it and road fuel are "exactly the same stuff" - given that there are at least two distinct types of central heating oil! It does also smell quite different and I keep mine in a plastic tank - just like I keep the stuff for my car in a plastic tank (but under the car)!
That doesn't mean to say a car won't run on central heating oil - but as has been said, I wouldn't risk it in a modern "common rail" diesel. This has come up on various "boaty" fora that I frequent because boats are going to loose their entitlement to run on "red" diesel shortly. Again, debate rages over whether it's the "same stuff" and I think that the difference might come after the main refining process (where road fuel gets a load of other additives lobbed in as it is pumped into the tankers for distribution to the filling stations.
The only other bit of information I have is that I know for a fact that at least one major manufacturer produces their old "Euro III" diesel engones for China. Their "Euro IV" engines got lousy reputations for reliability but it was, in fact, down to the relatively poor quality of the fuel available in China. The older engine (fuel system) designs were much more tolerant of poor quality diesel fuel. Although not directly related to this issue, it does (to me at least) again suggest that you don't need much difference, chemically, for it not to be "the same stuff"!
and my advice is dont use it.
I would happily use it in an older diesel engine, not a common rail ultra high pressure job that is common now. Just run a tank of normal diesel every 3 or 4 tanks, and maybe run it 33% diesel, 66% heating oil.
The main difference, assuming the viscosity is similar, is the additives put into the diesel. It's burnt in a different way at higher temp so to avoid leaving gum over a long period (100k miles ?) it probably has detergents and cleaners, possibly a soot reducing agent of some kind.
Diesel engines were designed to run on peanut oil originally and then other types of heavy oil, hence the term heavy oil used to describe them. Only think to watch for is the pumps, the older pumps wioll on the whole be fine.
Go for it, engoy stuffing one for Gordon !
The main difference, assuming the viscosity is similar, is the additives put into the diesel. It's burnt in a different way at higher temp so to avoid leaving gum over a long period (100k miles ?) it probably has detergents and cleaners, possibly a soot reducing agent of some kind.
Diesel engines were designed to run on peanut oil originally and then other types of heavy oil, hence the term heavy oil used to describe them. Only think to watch for is the pumps, the older pumps wioll on the whole be fine.
Go for it, engoy stuffing one for Gordon !
A lot of comments are about the viscostiy of the heating oil does it make sense to add veg oil with it to make it thicker and smoother for the engine? I have run my Mitsubishi L200 for six months on veg oil with no problem and want to start using 28sec heating oil, does anyone have any thoughts?
Re- Central Heating Oil and running vehicles on it. Throught the last eight years or more the MOD has had a ONE FUEL POLICY. That is they used the same fuel for heating [believe me nights in Iraq and damn cold and in Afghanistan 40 below is usual] running tanks, cars, lorries and areoplanes. Why because it basically the same stuff, refine more carefully and you get petrol, less refined you get diesil. Rudolf Diesel deliberately designed his engine to run any kind of volatile fuel, which in his time meant every type of cooking oils including whale oil. He did as says ''Many people in counntry districts will not have any petrol/gasoline station near to them. They must be able to use whatever oil in closest to them.''
Modern Central Heating oils may need, in some instance, the addition of UCL as they contain less crude oil that the diesel sold than that we buy at the pumps, so in your car/lorry/truck, a drop of UCL will be needed. To be honest the main difference and the strongest reason for official bodies say it CANOOT BE USED, THAT IS WILL DAMAGE YOUR ENGINE IS FINANCIAL. They, the Government would lose millions in tax if people started using Central Heating Oil which does not carry the same tax. YOU MIGHT GET ROUND THIS IF YOU NOTIFIED THE AUTHORITIES AND TOLD THEM. They could then bill you each year or six months for a fuel duty.
Modern Central Heating oils may need, in some instance, the addition of UCL as they contain less crude oil that the diesel sold than that we buy at the pumps, so in your car/lorry/truck, a drop of UCL will be needed. To be honest the main difference and the strongest reason for official bodies say it CANOOT BE USED, THAT IS WILL DAMAGE YOUR ENGINE IS FINANCIAL. They, the Government would lose millions in tax if people started using Central Heating Oil which does not carry the same tax. YOU MIGHT GET ROUND THIS IF YOU NOTIFIED THE AUTHORITIES AND TOLD THEM. They could then bill you each year or six months for a fuel duty.
BB-Q said:
So which weight heating oil is the same as diesel? Or did I miss that bit?
red is 35sec from what I recall, heating is 28sec.I would say there is a good chance what is said above about a single fuel is true.
I would also guess that in foreign countries, they would perhaps use the same road fuel...for heating.
After all, its only here in the UK we get totally ripped off with road fuel prices due to the amount of tax paid on it.
Without the tax....diesel/heating oil, who would care ?? They would all be cheap.
So it really wouldnt matter what was used for what...as long as it was ok in the more expensive machinery.
Regarding the "one fuel" policy - the US forces at least use JP8 which is the fuel required to run aeroplanes. I know that the HUEI type fuel systems can use JP8, but I am not sure that a common rail system could in terms of long term longevity, and that's just down to lubricity or rather a lack of it.
As to what heating oil will do - I don't know and I wouldn't want to pay for the experiment myself.
As to what heating oil will do - I don't know and I wouldn't want to pay for the experiment myself.
thunderbelmont said:
The New York yellow cab drivers use 28/sec (light oil) at this time of year because it doesn't wax up as quickly as 35/sec (heavy oil).
As for running your car on it, why not?
Just don't get caught by HMCE, they frown on it a bit.
Errm, have you ever been to New York???As for running your car on it, why not?
Just don't get caught by HMCE, they frown on it a bit.
The taxis there are mostly ex-Police Crown Victorias with 4.6 litre petrol engines.
I have never heard of a taxi there using a diesel engine.
Tony427 said:
That Daddy said:
Thats rubbish,it smells different too and its a known fact that heating oil as less lubricating qualities than diesel hence the concerns of damaging the O/P,s diesel pump it may come from the same crude oil but its make up is different 
And you're basing this on what knowledge?I was for a good many years in the retail and wholesale oils and fuel business selling many million quids worth per annum through retail sites and via fuel oil distributors.
Cheers,
Tony
Because, they are not. I have the chemical breakdown of them sitting in my HMG Fuel and Oils book in my garage, detailing, amongst a multitude of other things, the sulphur content differences which is many times more in red than in white.
Same with heating oil and derv. I can assure you, they are of a VERY different chemistry.
It is worth pointing out however that chemically veg oil and diesel are very different yet some diesels will happily run on both. Thus to the original question:
Can a car run on heating oil?
I suspect so but really it needs someone to try 28/35 second in a variety of vehicles from very basic diesels which will run on almost anything up to a modern common rail diesel.
I doubt anyone will dare risk their common rail diesel (I wouldn't) just to save a few quid, so it looks like unless the car owes you nothing the risk isn't worth it. That said if I had a clapped out old diesel 106 or similar I would certainly have tried it before now as the chemistry of the two isn't "that" far apart.
Can a car run on heating oil?
I suspect so but really it needs someone to try 28/35 second in a variety of vehicles from very basic diesels which will run on almost anything up to a modern common rail diesel.
I doubt anyone will dare risk their common rail diesel (I wouldn't) just to save a few quid, so it looks like unless the car owes you nothing the risk isn't worth it. That said if I had a clapped out old diesel 106 or similar I would certainly have tried it before now as the chemistry of the two isn't "that" far apart.
Ok, 1st post so bare with me.. I had a 106 diesel which lasted 3000miles after i ran it with 80% jet A1 (aviation fuel) My 406 td lasted 800mls berore the pump and injectors need replacing.. The point being my 28sec heating system runs very well on the A1.. So A1 or 28sec, use it if you like but for god sake mix it with a high % of diesel or another lubricant..
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