Kerosene vs. ??

[R_Walter]

In the owners' manual for my L4240 it says to use kerosene to clean the fuel filter. Is there a good substitute such as, perhaps, ATF or plain diesel fuel in lieu of kerosene that can be used?

 

[jimainiac]

I used kerosene in the past because that's what the manual says, but last time I soaked it in mineral spirits and dried it.

 

[rdsaustintx]

Cleaning your fuel filter with fuel would be like cleaning your underwear with...

Oh, never mind.

 

[PERCTK]

Crap

Dumb question, wouldn't it be quicker and easier to replace this fuel filter.
If there is a fuel problem, check your source.

 

[cappys tractor]

there's very little difference between diesel and kero except that kero is alot more filtered, and has no additives, colorants and dyes. although Kero has very little lubrication additive (actually none) it is used as an anti gel additive for diesel in the cold (below freezing) months. any other stuff you would use may leave a bad (for a diesel engine) residue or vapor.

i would suspect the reason for using kero is that since it starts out clear, you would see the difference when the filter housing is actually clean. a couple of swishes and a light wiping should return a clean bowl and housing, with proof in the clean appearance.

using diesel would only add more colored dyes to dirty up the whole thing.

atf is OIL, it has sticking, gelling properties. those dont help remove the grime and sludge.

on an off topic, using kero as fuel in the winter does yield less 'power' since kero has less btu energy in it per gallon. but this must be done to keep diesels running continuous when its freezing.

 

[BotaBigot]

Unlike other solvents or petroleum products, kerosene is a "refinery relative" of diesel fuel and is totally compatible. It's lighter (thinner), and can be used as a fuel (jets, lamps, heaters) or solvent. Its solvent property makes it good for cleaning things diesel...its fuel property means it won't harm diesel fuel systems. Win-win.

 

[GreenLawnFarm]

i don't need kerosene for anything, so storing extra fuel just to clean a fuel filter is not practical. when the fuel filter gets dirty, i just replace it. i also use on road diesel so i can see the dirt on the filter better. with the amount i use the tractor, i won't loose sleep over paying the road tax.

 

[nostep]

Is the filter a metal screen? If so, how about carb cleaner?

 

[LBrown59]

i don't need kerosene for anything, so storing extra fuel just to clean a fuel filter is not practical. when the fuel filter gets dirty, i just replace it. i also use on road diesel so i can see the dirt on the filter better. with the amount i use the tractor, i won't loose sleep over paying the road tax.

I got tired of lugging/lifting 5 gallon cans so i built this.
Now that I have this it just makes sense to save on fuel 2 ways by not paying tax on it and getting free home delivery .

 

[mswlogo]

I got tired of lugging/lifting 5 gallon cans so i built this.
Now that I have this it just makes sense to save on fuel 2 ways by not paying tax on it and getting free home delivery .

Why is it tax free, you're not using home heating oil are you?

 

[Tom_H]

Why is it tax free, you're not using home heating oil are you?

Diesel that runs trucks on highways gets taxed. Farmers can buy non-taxed diesel because they use it on the farm, therefore not putting wear and tear on the highway. Red dye is added to this off-road diesel. If they catch you running it in an on-road diesel vehicle/truck, it's a prosecutable offense. Most ag areas have a fuel company that can deliver off-road diesel to you. A lot of places that handle home heating fuel oil deliveries carry it too.

On an off topic note, yesterday was the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. The five monster F-1 engines on the first stage of the Saturn V rocket burned kersone and liquid oxygen. Most liquid fuel rocket engines today burn liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. Those F-1 babies put out 1.5 million lb. of thrust each of raw power: 7.5 million total thrust. Our scout troop parked the bus on the highway shoulder and camped in the grass 7 miles away for the Apollo 11 launch, and I was picked to represent our district at the Apollo 13 launch, sitting in the VIP stands 3 miles away. The whole earth shook like an earthquake and the roar felt like the atmosphere was getting ripped apart. Feeling the power of those engines was an absolute rush!

 

[savageactor7]

^thanks for the background on the moon launch...great story.

just say'en...I've reused filters before by cleaning them out with a progression of gasoline baths and letting them air dry.

 

[LBrown59]

Why is it tax free, you're not using home heating oil are you?

Because I don't use it on the road so there is no highway tax on it .
Anything used in tractors farm equip construction machenry heating homes and the like is exempt from high way tax as long as not consumed on the road.

 

[LBrown59]

you're not using home heating oil are you?

Some people call it that.
Why did you ask ?