Advice needed on something I heard....
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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Advice needed on something I heard....
I was talking to a guy(older gent that drove a lot of diesels), he was telling me that he alternated between diesel and kerosine every other tank. Said the only difference was the sulfer content and during cold weather, the truck started quicker. Since Kerosine is about $.50 cheaper, that would be a bonus for the beer money account.
He also mentioned that he would put in a half a gallon of gas in each tank to kill the microbs. I have never heard of this, so I thought that before I try any of these suggestions, I would ask the smart people(that's y'all
).
Last, my fuel filter light comes on when I put the key in to start teh truck, but sometimes stays on untill the truck starts. Does this mean it needs to be replaced? It only does it intermitently(sp). Thanks for any insight!
He also mentioned that he would put in a half a gallon of gas in each tank to kill the microbs. I have never heard of this, so I thought that before I try any of these suggestions, I would ask the smart people(that's y'all
). Last, my fuel filter light comes on when I put the key in to start teh truck, but sometimes stays on untill the truck starts. Does this mean it needs to be replaced? It only does it intermitently(sp). Thanks for any insight!
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 119
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From: Vancouver area
Well, I guess that shows that we shouldn't listen to everyone we talk to! 
I'm afraid I wouldn't put kerosene in MY Powerstroke, but you are welcome to try it in yours! I've heard otherwise, that it's NOT a good thing to do, and there is absolutely no way you'd actually WANT to put gasoline mixed in with Diesel fuel for ANY reason. Gas in a Diesel is hard on the injector internals, as well as the O-rings. HEUI injectors are far too senstive to be putting anything other than Diesel fuel in your tanks.
This old guy you where talking to may have done this to previous Diesels in the past, but with the Electronic Diesels we use now, you certainly don't want to take a chance at ruining your expensive engine!
Honestly, putting ATF (automatic transmission fluid) in your Diesel fuel is in my opinion a better option than either Kerosene or gasoline!
Dale
I'm afraid I wouldn't put kerosene in MY Powerstroke, but you are welcome to try it in yours! I've heard otherwise, that it's NOT a good thing to do, and there is absolutely no way you'd actually WANT to put gasoline mixed in with Diesel fuel for ANY reason. Gas in a Diesel is hard on the injector internals, as well as the O-rings. HEUI injectors are far too senstive to be putting anything other than Diesel fuel in your tanks.
This old guy you where talking to may have done this to previous Diesels in the past, but with the Electronic Diesels we use now, you certainly don't want to take a chance at ruining your expensive engine!
Honestly, putting ATF (automatic transmission fluid) in your Diesel fuel is in my opinion a better option than either Kerosene or gasoline!
Dale
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Northeastern Pa - USA
sounds to me like the old gent used to run vw diesels. for some unknown reason those drivers used to put kero and gasoline in their fuel. gasoline in a power stroke will make it run like a scalded rabbit .. just until that rabbit takes a crap. When was the last time you changed your fuel filter ? Diesel fuel filters are not like gasoline filters, they have to be changed more often. The diesel fuel seems to carry more moisture with it and causes filters to plug up. Filtetrs are cheap compared to the new engine and all the headaches that are caused from lack of maintainance.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,332
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From: Baltimore
In colder climates diesel fuel is already winterized. If you are going to add anything why not just add a fuel additive? Some are designed to prevent fuel gelling, as well as clean and lubricate the fuel system. Cost is minimal when you consider the benefits. If the fuel filter light comes on try draining the filter housing and capture what comes out in a clear container for inspection. It sounds like a replacement is in order.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 261
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From: North Carolina
My father was a 35 year 18 wheeler driver and told me once he used to occasionally put a 1/2 gal of kerosine or gasoline in his company owned truck when it was very cold out. 2 things, he was talking about a 1/2 gal in a 50 gal tank on the old normally aspirated diesels, not an injected diesel and by very cold, I'm talking Minnesota, North & South Dakota and -20* winter weather. Do not put kerosine or gasoline in a injected diesel engine for reasons stated above. There are diesel fuel additives available now to help prevent gelling, use them if you feel you need something. Also fuel filters should be replaced every 15K miles per Fords recommendation.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Morgantown WV
What kind of diesel did he drive? Those practices were ok, back in the day. Times have changed and so has the technology of the diesel. Direct injection engines with electronic injectors need the lubricating properties of the diesel fuel. Gasoline is extremely hard on injectors.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
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From: Marengo, Iowa
Originally Posted by stroker2
My father was a 35 year 18 wheeler driver and told me once he used to occasionally put a 1/2 gal of kerosine or gasoline in his company owned truck when it was very cold out. 2 things, he was talking about a 1/2 gal in a 50 gal tank on the old normally aspirated diesels, not an injected diesel and by very cold, I'm talking Minnesota, North & South Dakota and -20* winter weather. Do not put kerosine or gasoline in a injected diesel engine for reasons stated above. There are diesel fuel additives available now to help prevent gelling, use them if you feel you need something. Also fuel filters should be replaced every 15K miles per Fords recommendation.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 261
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From: North Carolina
Thanks fellro86 for the correction. I hate giving out bad info. Dad has long since retired and he probably told me this stuff about 30 years ago. Funny the trivia you remember.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Douglas, Georgia
somewhat off topic question here....
how come diesel injectors are so prone to damage with dry fuels, and yet alot of gasoline powered vehicles have fuel injectors?
i don't know much about gas engines, maybe they don't have the same pressures as a diesel injector (even my old truck has injectors handling 1,800psi)
drew
how come diesel injectors are so prone to damage with dry fuels, and yet alot of gasoline powered vehicles have fuel injectors?
i don't know much about gas engines, maybe they don't have the same pressures as a diesel injector (even my old truck has injectors handling 1,800psi)
drew
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
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From: Marengo, Iowa
Diesel injectors operate under much higher pressure than gas, the highest most gas get to is around 35 psi. The older mechanical injector pumps would build pressure, then the pressure would unseat the injector, not electrical. Gasoline operates with a magnet to pull the injector needle or ball off it's seat. The newer diesels likely are the same operating principle, but still have higher pressure. Diesel is a heavier oil, so it takes more pressure to get the atomization that a thin oil like gasoline will do easier. another thing to consider is the difference in compression, and the fact that diesel injectors are actually subjected to the cylinder pressures, unlike gasoline that is in the intake. Also, diesel compressions rates are higher, the IDI motors are around 24:1, the powerstrokes are more around 17:1, the average gas is around 9:1 on most newer street motors. If you have a gasser running 13:1, you have to buy racing fuels. Pretty much anything over 10.5 - 11:1 is the absolute highest on premium, and today's premium won't quite make it there, as that requires 105 octane to keep detonation down.
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2004
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I dont know if it is the same where you all are, but around here when you buy kerosene its dyed red; and we all know what kind of trouble that can get a person into. As for putting gasoline in your diesel fuel, my dad has driven/owned trucks FOREVER and he claims that years ago, cummins actually suggested in the owners manual to use a small amount of gasonline mixed with your diesel in the winter.
