Winter fuel

[Hay Dude]

My old 1982 Mercedes Benz 240D manual called for up to 30% gasoline in the diesel tank, for winter driving ... I do know that gasoline will kill the "bugs" that grow/live in the thin layer between water and diesel fuel, I used a 10% mix ... Cleaned it right up, no need for a biocide.

Gasoline, huh? That’s really interesting.

 

[camshawn]

In the lower Fraser Valley of BC, the local COOP switches to winter fuel sometime in mid November. The Upper Valley switches to winter fuel sometime in early November and I can get winter fuel now in Chilliwack ( about an hour east). I got caught a few yrs ago with summer fuel when we had a surprise cold snap and snow storm.

 

[DarkBlack]

My old 1982 Mercedes Benz 240D manual called for up to 30% gasoline in the diesel tank, for winter driving ...

Not 3%, but 30%?

 

[doneill127]

Had an old VW diesel rabbit and the manual recommended 25% gas for winter operation. Made it through a number of chilly Montana winters without issue.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

Not 3%, but 30%?

Yup ... I never did it ... Lived in Southern AZ at the time ... I did put a gallon of gas in my tank which held about 12 gallons, as I was fighting the black gunk microbes ... Worked GREAT!

Somewhere I had a picture of the manual I posted in Peachparts forum, it may be still on one of my old computers, I got rid of that car more than 10 years ago ...

Here are a few other forums that mention it, but only picture talks about kerosene ... But doesn't say what year or model it was for ... https://www.benzworld.org/threads/winterizing-diesel.2200321/

Is it OK to put a little gasoline in diesel fuel tank?


I personally wouldn't run it in a late model tier 4 diesel engine at 30%! Maybe 3-5% as a biocide if I KNEW there was a problem ...

 

[ruffdog]

Yup ... I never did it ... Lived in Southern AZ at the time ... I did put a gallon of gas in my tank which held about 12 gallons, as I was fighting the black gunk microbes ... Worked GREAT!

Somewhere I had a picture of the manual I posted in Peachparts forum, it may be still on one of my old computers, I got rid of that car more than 10 years ago ...

Here are a few other forums that mention it, but only picture talks about kerosene ... But doesn't say what year or model it was for ... https://www.benzworld.org/threads/winterizing-diesel.2200321/

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Is it OK to put a little gasoline in diesel fuel tank?


I personally wouldn't run it in a late model tier 4 diesel engine at 30%! Maybe 3-5% as a biocide if I KNEW there was a problem ...

Kero and #1-D is NOT the same! In the old days before ULSD you could use kero but it is mostly being advised against now.

Kerosene is essentially #1 diesel fuel, and while similar, they differ in key aspects like lubricity, energy density, and additives. Kerosene is a lighter, more refined fuel with lower lubricity, making it ideal for heaters and jet fuel, but potentially damaging to diesel engines. Diesel is heavier, has higher energy density, and contains additives for lubricating and cleaning fuel systems, making it suitable for diesel engines but less ideal for cold-weather heaters.

 

[IH3444]

I'll have to reread my Volkswagen diesel manuals, and repair shop manuals. I thought I remembered that you could use at below 20 degrees Fahrenheit 1 pint of regular gasoline to 10 gallons of diesel fuel.
A friend worked at an airport and in the winter, he would fill his tank with JP1, which I am believing is almost basically kerosene. It destroyed his engine after a few years. It was too energetic and pounded out his connection rod bearing. He said it ran great up to that point.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

No that picture of "some MB Diesel manual" says not to add kero to #1 ... Only to #2 diesel ...

I'm guessing this manual is from more than 30 years ago ... I'm guessing when my 1982 MB was made there were not the options we currently have for anti-gel additives ... Hence to recommended add gasoline to diesel in real cold weather ...

 

[Shawn T. W.]

I found the manual online at 1979 1985 Mercedes Benz 200d 240d 300d w123 Owners Manual | PDF | Electric Vehicle Manufacturers | Wheeled Vehicles ...

Here is the cover ...

And page 89 ...

A more clear copy ...

So up to 50% kerosene, or 30% gasoline ...

While my memory is correct I still would rather use the options we have today for anti-gel, these cars were made from 1979 to 1985 ... Lots have changed since then both on the mechanical side, and the fuel side ...

 

[LouNY]

And no recommendation for any temp below -8 F,
starting the dilution at 32 F.
Even wanting to cut winter diesel at +4 F.