European confusion?

pasturesnew · Jun 3, 2005

Just a little something for other ex-pat Brits living in France:

Remember that kerosene (US) is petrol (French) - the stuff like paraffin (UK) used in portable heaters etc.

Also, hydraulic 46 or heavier is normally used in the warmer areas and is probably OK for summer use. Hydraulic 32 seems difficult to obtain - what I've got does not specify anti-mousse (anti-foaming), whereas Motul 46 does.

ACM

thingy · Jun 3, 2005

Thats all greek to me,,,thingy,,,,,,certified,purebred,,hillbilly.....and general pain in the......

California · Jun 3, 2005

... and paraffin (US) is uncolored and solid, sold in blocks. I think the only common use now is for home-made candles.

In the past paraffin (US) was widely used to seal home-canned preserves - jam, jelly, etc. by pouring the melted wax into the top of the jam jar.

I keep a tiny block of paraffin in my toolbox to lubricate screw threads, drawer sliders, etc.

This local perspective leads to confusion when discussing camp stoves and other 'paraffin' fueled devices that come with multinational instructions!

greg_g · Jun 3, 2005

( ... and paraffin (US) is uncolored and solid, sold in blocks. )

No. ACM is correct. Paraffin is fuel oil: a mixture of liquid hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum and used as a domestic heating fuel and as fuel for aircraft. More commonly referred to in the US as kerosene.

What you're referring to is paraffin wax; a white waxy solid mixture of hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum and used in making candles, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, and as a sealing agent. Big difference.

You apparently missed the fact that ACM stipulated right up front - that his explanation was targeted at ex-patriot Brits.

//greg//

greg_g · Jun 3, 2005

( Hydraulic 32 seems difficult to obtain - what I've got does not specify anti-mousse (anti-foaming), whereas Motul 46 does. )

Hydraulic 32 is known as AW32 in America, but also has an international designator of ISO32. Perhaps it would be easier to locate that way.

//greg//

California · Jun 3, 2005

But I was following thingy's post that emphasized local terminology.

What I should have said was: if you ask an American who has no international perspective to go to town and get $5 worth of paraffin, he will likely come back with paraffin wax, especially if this is an older American who had used 'paraffin' for home canning.

thingy · Jun 3, 2005

I agree mr. california,parifin,to me any ways is just like you said,,but I guess it is parifin wax,,and I guess[now] there is a difference,,,but I bet,,if I went to town,to the grocery store, and asked the people working there if they had any parifin,,,,they would not think of fuel,,course,,would have to talk to the boss,,cause I don't think most of them even do think there come to THINK about it,,,thingy

greg_g · Jun 3, 2005

( But I was following thingy's post that emphasized local terminology. )

Understandable. There is no shortage of Euro-challenged members here. I enjoyed 11 great years over there while I was in the service.

But it would have made a whole lot more sense had you actually addressed your response to the "thingy". As posted, you essentially contradicted "PastureNew", when he was in reality directing his advice to any British tractor owners who had migrated to France.

//greg//

white_ja · Jun 3, 2005

Thats all greek to me,,,thingy,,,,,,certified,purebred,,hillbilly.....and general pain in the......

You crack me up! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif