Meandering Diesel question.....

[Richard]

Let me preface that this is merely a question from being curious, I'm certainly not going to try this (and don't expect I could if I WANTED to try it)

Ok, our machines usually run on diesel.

My understanding is a jet engine runs on a refined version of diesel as they are also compression ignition engines.

My question is.... if you put jet fuel (full tank) into a tractor or backhoe, how would the machine operate?

Would it be akin to putting high octane into a gas engine and give some better pulling power?

Ok, so it's slow and I'm bored.

 

[90cummins]

Jet fuel Jet A is more highly refined to ensure there is no water which could freeze or waxes that could gell at high altitudes. The fuel also has less lubricity so it could damage the injection pump if used long term in a diesel.

 

[jonyyuma]

This was tryed here. The results were fuel-injector pumps siezing and injectors problems? whether it takes more than a tank, who knows..Some of it started in 4 hours running? The tolerences must be built for jet-A?

 

[crashz]

You'll fly of course!

Years ago we ran Jet A in pickups and dumps that we plowed a local airport with. All of those trucks (still have two) ran fine on it and continued to run fine. However that was ~ 20 years ago in trucks that are now 30 and 40 years old. With USLD, and high pressure injection systems, I think I'd pass now.

 

[Jimbrown]

The military burns JP-8 in just about everything in order to have to deal with only one fuel. M1 tanks are the prime user.

Aviation Fuel - Jet Fuel Information

 

[Foxtrot08]

Diesel -> Kerosene -> JP-8

All off the same cut of crude.

Sort of like:

Gasoline -> Liquid based solvents


Could you... yes. Safely? Especially in newer engines? Questionable. If you did, it would probably be safe to add some oil to it. Ala directions for the old Continental multi-fuel engines. Designed to run on diesel - but could run on about anything - just add oil. There's a little plaque on the tank for directions per-fuel type, of how much motor oil to add in. The only thing it said it not to run was Aviation level gasoline - 102+ Octane / Race fuel. Probably because it would cause a run on.

 

[lostcause]

i think it has more to do with what has been added or removed from the fuel, and probably most notably sulphur in diesel fuels. i haven't a clue about everything they do when refining, and i suspect that no matter what some people here claim to know about fuels, there isn't anyone who knows everything that each company and refinery add or remove before it gets to the pumps.

also, as to whether using "high test" unleaded will do anything to directly improve performance is another purely subjective discussion that has been hashed a bunch of times.

 

[Foxtrot08]

In diesel fuel, it's all about what's removed - mainly, the sulfur.

How much sulfur removed is directly connected to how well the hydro cracker in the refinery is working and what type of crude is being used.

Heavy/Sour crude from Canada, certain regions of the US and Venezuela have to spend a long time being refined then hydro cracked, which means it will have little to no sulfur in it.

Light/Sweet crude can be passed through the refineries in a rather quick amount of time, which means less time being spent hydro cracked, which in turn leads to a bit higher sulfur content - typically 7+ Ppm, allowing for sulfur to be collected while being pipe lined.

Refineries and terminals do not add anything in - they just refine it and sell it - or pipeline it and sell it. (Although, sulfur can be picked up via a pipeline, naturally from the steel.)

It's up to the each, individual reseller to put the additives in it - even if it is a 'brand' all the additives are stored separately and loaded into the delivery truck when the truck is filled.

In my opinion? Don't buy unleaded and don't buy premium.

With EPA Mandated 10% ethanol blend, upwards of 15% - gasoline today is junk. There is no need for super high octane either.

 

[hosspuller]

Diesel fuel has several requirements...

Lubricity and cetane are very important...

here's some info:

Lubricity Testing of Diesel Fuels

Diesel Cetane Number - Diesel Fuel Cetane Rating - What is Cetane


Fuel stability and contamination being among other requirements

Jet A likely be very good for good stability and a low level of contamination since a clogged injector = hard landing

 

[buickanddeere]

If worried about lubrication with kerosene/JetA-1/ JP-6. Add 1% soybean oil.