Diesel fuel #1 and #2

[careyo63]

I do not have or seen this option for the #2 diesel. Interesting read so I'm going to be looking into this. If or when it does become available. Off Rd. is available local. Just came up about Extra stinky!! ? It could be the #2 JS..

MSN

 

[ponytug]

A little reminder that today's ULSD is not what old timers remember as diesel, and ULSD is a very different fuel in many ways. Importantly for older engines, it has much less lubricity.
Yanmar recommends against straight #1 here, and quoting a huge drop in fuel efficiency;

Weather the Winter by Winterizing Your Tractor - YANMAR America Corporation

Prepare your tractor for cold weather with essential tips to protect your machine and ensure smooth operation during the winter months.

www.yanmartractor.com

#1 diesel is a low temperature fuel, and one that in my opinion is mostly inappropriate as a fuel for the lower 48 for almost all of the year. A low temperature fuel means a lower cloud point temperature, a lower gelling temperature, lower viscosity, and lower lubricity temperatures. Unless you are experiencing waxing/cloud point or gelling issues, I think that it is not advisable to run #1 diesel, especially, especially, in an older engine. If you are having gelling issues, an anti gelling additive is probably a better solution, especially for an older engine like a Yanmar. It is possible to blend #1 and #2 for low temperature work, but I would not do it myself.

There is a nice discussion here on the cloud point of diesel fuel, gel temperature, and, of course water (ice) in diesel.

At What Temperature Does Diesel Fuel Gel?

Do your fuel problems actually stem from diesel gelling or another winter problem? It's important to know what temperature point diesel fuel gels at, how to restore gelled fuel, how winter affects diesel fuel and the difference between icing and gelling.

petroleumservicecompany.com

Lots of discussion here on TBN;

Diesel temperature gelling chart?

Don't want to start a thread that's been beat to death so, can someone point me to an accurate chart that tells me at what temps #1, 50/50, and #2 is suggested? With -20 to +30 degree temperature fluctuations and only a 5 gallon tank on the tractor I'm always nervous about having too much #1 in...

www.tractorbynet.com

When Does Number 1 Diesel Gel? - UtilitySmarts

When Does Number 1 Diesel Gel? Find out everything you need to know here.

www.utilitysmarts.com

When burned #1 diesel doesn't smell that much different to me.

One final point, #1 diesel is close to jet fuel (JetA1, JP-5/8) in terms of hydrocarbon composition, making diesel #1 much more like a solvent, dissolving materials. JP-5/8 has been shown to be very hard on o-rings, rubber tubing, and internal corrosion.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Mtsoxfan]

I've never seen #1 or #2 advertised as such, so no idea what I'm burning. Guess I'll have to walk in one day and ask...

 

[careyo63]

I'm thinking the old school off Rd. now! Low temp. here in my part of Ga. very seldom goes below freezing. Nights for a few Months.. I do know the owner of a local store who does sell Off Rd.. and Ask what his actually is? Off course he has Reg. Pump Diesel Chevron. Which is what I've been using. Can't see the fuel filter or in the fuel bowl on the Yanmar with the Red Dye in it. I just checked and I have a new backup fuel Filter NAPA. so Off Rd. it is! It's due to come out anyways.

 

[ponytug]

I've never seen #1 or #2 advertised as such, so no idea what I'm burning. Guess I'll have to walk in one day and ask...

Generally, I've only seen it in select stores in the very northern states, and it was more common in my experiences many many moons ago, like kerosene.

All the best,

Peter

 

[LouNY]

#1 diesel is kerosene, or kerosene is #1 diesel fuel. Your #2 home heating oil is the same as #2 diesel.

 

[ponytug]

#1 diesel is kerosene, or kerosene is #1 diesel fuel. Your #2 home heating oil is the same as #2 diesel.

They are close in hydrocarbon composition, and in some places may be identical, but I don't think that can be relied upon. In earlier times, when fuels were less refined, and defined by the boiling point of hydrocarbons, the composition could, and did, vary substantially by the incoming crude and particular refinery, e.g. the amount of aromatic hydrocarbons. With modern fuel standards, diesel fuel composition is much more tightly regulated than fuel oil. So, #2 diesel fuel contains additives to meet standards that #2 heating oil may not. Ditto #1 diesel vs kerosene. Rather like gasoline vs. camping fuel.

If one lives in an area with a fuel limited supply or demand, the local fuel distributor may only truck in #2 diesel and sell it both as over the road fuel and as heating oil, but I think that is a supply / demand and local storage item.

I have acquaintances who have successfully run #2 heating oil in their farm equipment, and others who tried and paid the price of redoing their fuel systems. Again, I think it is a local thing, and I wouldn't rule out my buddies accidentally pumping some sludge out of their heating oil tanks.

Personally, I haven't seen a kerosene pump at a fuel station for years, but again, I am sure that there are locales where that is not the case.

YMMV!

All the best,

Peter

 

[mjonesnh]

Personally, I haven't seen a kerosene pump at a fuel station for years, but again, I am sure that there are locales where that is not the case.

Fairly common here in middle Tn. I can think of 3 kerosene pumps within 2 mile radius of my house

 

[ponytug]

Personally, I haven't seen a kerosene pump at a fuel station for years, but again, I am sure that there are locales where that is not the case.

Fairly common here in middle Tn. I can think of 3 kerosene pumps within 2 mile radius of my house

At a guess what do you think that the demand is? Kerosene heaters? Lighting?

All the best,

Peter

 

[careyo63]

My grandfather had a Coal miners helmet lamp that used Kerosine! INKY. Early 1900's. Hung in his barn for Yrs..
Chevron owner wasn't in. Didn't bother to ask the cashier. I know him well and he has somewhat good English. I filled my can with Off Rd.. Made sure I still have the new Filter in the box. I'll be changing it in about 50 Tach. Hrs. it looks like.