IS it true that kerosene is added to diesel fuel. . .
 

Well it will be 45 deg F at night in the forecast. My friend told me that in the snow areas, the diesel stations add kerosene to thin the diesel for the truckers. It is pumped in already mixed? Is that right? I doubt that my friend would play a joke on me.
I wonder what ratio kero:diesel?
Any truckers out there want to comment?
Frankie

BTW I run 10 gal WVO in my 20 gal tank.
 

This is why I'm asking. . . .and no, I don't have the fuel filter heater or fuel line heater installed yet. I ordered a coolant heat 3 hose fuel line heater and it should arrive on Tues. I live in mild San Fran area.
Frankie

Winterised diesel is a blend of #1 and #2 diesel plus various additives. #1 oil, diesel, and kerosene is about the same.

I think I remember reading in my owner's manual that a 50/50 blend of diesel and kero is OK in a cold weather situation. I don't have access to my car until Thanksgiving week to verify however.

At 50/50 wvo/#2, you shouldnt have any issues at 45F. A little bit of Kero is fine, but you shouldnt need much. Remember, that engine will pump peanut butter! (so i'm told!)

It's crazy, to think that the diesel engine was made so tough but I'm am paranoid about the injectors!
Kerosene is better to keep the wvo thin, better than gasoline, yes??
I was thinking of doing 50% WVO,45% dinodisel, 5% kerosene(=1 gal). Just until the fuel line heaters are installed. The nightime cold is the only concern.
I'm still learning. Thanks for teaching me!
Frankie

Darn. I forgot to ask, where would one buy kerosene? I know where to buy propane but not kerosene. I live in the burbs outside San Francisco. Would Home Cheapo(Depot) carry kerosene?
Frankie

Likely for more than you'd want to spend.
See if you can find a small airport(and make a friend) IIRC jetB is a very high % kero. That or a wholesale distributer.

Do Not Use Gasoline
 

unless you want to buy a new engine.

He has a 1984 300SD. His owners manual says it is ok to add gasoline below certain temperatures. Granted you will never see those temps in SF.

If you really want to learn about the do's and don'ts of blending go over to www.biodiesel.infopop.cc and click on the threads about vegetable oil as fuel. There my even be a blenders forum set up by now.

-Jim

Thanks for the reminder not to use gas. I was aware of that , but it is always a good emphasis. This brings it back to the question that :is kerosene better at thinning WVO than gas?
Wow. Getting kero might take some work.
Frankie

Thanks Jadavis
Yes, that is a GREAT forum. I've learned loads from both of these forums! 3 months ago, I knew nothing about diesels, nor Mercedes. I only knew that my favorite Bluegrass band runs their bus on WVO/biodiesel. Lots of grassroots, artists push for a cleaner, more economical way to get around!
Cheers,
Frankie

Kerosene can be bought at the fuel co-operatives in small towns at the best prices. #1 fuel oil is the same stuff, but of course has the red dye in it.

Maybe where you are at. Where I live there are two gas stations within 5 miles that sell it from a fuel pump with a short hose on it. The hose is too short to reach a vehicle. I guess that is how they get away with not dying it.

Kerosene/kerosine (seen it spelled both ways on fuel jugs that I have bought) is a very clean version of diesel. It has a lower heat content because it is not loaded up with parafin. The parafin is what gels first in cold weather. It is also a very poor lubricant for your IP. To run straight kero, in an off road only car for tax purposes, you would need to add at least 2% vegetable oil to make up for the lack of lubrication. So if you were to run your off road MB on 50% WVO and 50% kerosene it would be just fine. My 1987 300D manual says:
0C to -10C (+32F to +14F) 70% #2 Diesel, 30% Kerosene
Below -10C (below +14F) 50/50

That is for my 603 engine. Those number should be safe for you. Check your manual or maybe someone else with a 617 engine can post what their manual says about cold weather ops.

-Jim

I have been using 80WVO/20gas for a few years, car runs fine, no smoke, starts great