Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 02-18-2009, 09:51 AM
SwampYankee's Avatar
New England Hick
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: CT
Posts: 1,501
Question Would you take a chance w/20yo home heating oil?

My aunt recently had an old greenhouse removed from my late grandfather's property. Inside was a tank for the furnace that contained about 25 gals. of HHO that she wanted the contractor to remove. The contractor took a sample and had it tested and said it was 99.6% heating oil (whatever that means, if they really even tested it) but had no means of getting rid of it. My uncle is going to empty the tank into 5 gal. cans and I was just going to bring it to the recycling center. Then I thought about filtering it and dewatering it and using 5 gals. at a time with each fill up. Then had second thoughts about that.

Does diesel/HHO break down overtime like gasoline? Would you take a chance with it or should I just recycle it like I had originally planned?

__________________

1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-18-2009, 09:55 AM
vstech's Avatar
DD MOD, HVAC,MCP,Mac,GMAC
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mount Holly, NC
Posts: 26,841
I'd use it.
bearing in mind that the bottom of the tank is going to be gunked up, run it through a good filter... do you have a separate water separator on your car? how are you going to dewater it otherwise?
I don't think diesel breaks down like gas does, but it does develop fungus... if it's clear, use it. the old yellow heating oil... serious power in that fuel.
__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-18-2009, 09:55 AM
SwampYankee's Avatar
New England Hick
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: CT
Posts: 1,501
In my diesel tractor of course.
__________________

1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-18-2009, 10:01 AM
SwampYankee's Avatar
New England Hick
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: CT
Posts: 1,501
Quote:
Originally Posted by vstech View Post
the old yellow heating oil... serious power in that fuel.
I'll be cooking tires all over town.
__________________

1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-18-2009, 10:02 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 18,350
Yes, I would use it. It's a few million years old to begin with, what's another 20 yrs?
__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-18-2009, 10:07 AM
pawoSD's Avatar
Dieselsüchtiger
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 15,438
I'd filter it and look at it in a jar....if it looks ok, I'd probably run it. 25 gallons = $60 of free fuel!
__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-18-2009, 10:27 AM
'99 E300 TD
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Randolph, New Jersey
Posts: 32
I wouldn't bother at least not in your car. I recently disposed (recycled) of two 275 gal steel oil tanks and one was only 10 years old. There was about 20 gallons left and I had to drain it all to cut the tank in half. It was so black that even a filter wouldn't take the sludge out as it clogged. In the end I poured it in gallon jugs and let it sit for several weeks and was still only able to use the top half which I poured through a filter back into the new heating oil tank.

Out of 20 gallons there was almost a gallon of sludge that I scraped out. Pump it out into 5 gallon containers and take it to the recycle center.

If you're getting rid of the tank or changing it you usually need a permit. Check w/ the town.
__________________
Andy, North Jersey
1999 E300 TurboDiesel 116k miles
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-18-2009, 10:35 AM
dieseldan44's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Boston
Posts: 2,042
FWIW - that .4% is probably water. That's 4000 ppm, that would be high water content. Thought of another way, that would be 1/10 gallon of water in a tankful of fuel.

I would treat it just like used vegetable oil.
-Drain it from the tank through a filter (100 microns or so) to catch the big stuff
- put it in all in one barrel or container
- add fungicide just for good measure if you have it
-bonus: gently heat the barrel - this will expedite the settling process and the water will end up at the bottom
- pull the 20 top gallons off and use it. recycle the bottom few. or pour it in your home heating tank.

dd
__________________
-------------------------------
'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 02-18-2009, 10:54 AM
SwampYankee's Avatar
New England Hick
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: CT
Posts: 1,501
Thanks all. It was an above ground 275 gal. tank that has all been taken care of. I wasn't involved in any of the dealing with the contractor so I can't speak for that. What was left was this 55 gal. drum partially full of oil. I'll see what it looks like after he gets it into the 5 gal. cans and let it sit for awhile and go from there. The plan was to just recycle it anyway but if I could use it I'd give it a shot.
__________________

1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 02-18-2009, 11:48 AM
ForcedInduction
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Check the tank for water, leave the last bottom inches in the tank, filter the everliving hell out of it, let it sit for a few days to settle water out of it and don't use it on public roads.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 02-18-2009, 11:52 AM
Actros617's Avatar
Ich fahre dieseltypen
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 1,141
Dose Anyone know what is the cetane rating on hho???
__________________
Current Garage
2008 Mercedes GL320 CDI 188k mi Repair/Work in progress
1994 S350 160k mi Garage Queen & prepping for repairs
2005 E320 CDI 203k mi Healthy & Daily Driver
1994 S350 357k mi Retried as parts car
1984 300TD 214k mi Blown OM617 Poss OM603 Swap??

Sold
1987 300SDL 200K+
1994 S320 181K mi
2008 E320 Bluetec 127k mi
1999 S420 130K mi
1980 240D 360k mi
15+ Others that has come, stay and gone

GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
1995 E320 SE 220k mi
1984 300SD 350k mi
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 02-18-2009, 12:03 PM
ForcedInduction
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Quote:
Originally Posted by Actros617 View Post
Dose Anyone know what is the cetane rating on hho???
Not possible without lab tests.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 02-18-2009, 12:43 PM
compu_85's Avatar
Cruisin on Electric Ave.
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: La Conner, WA
Posts: 5,234
At this point it's probably 35 cetane or so. It would work but your car will be slow and will smell like ****. I wouldn't use it in my car. When I use **** like that in my diesel heater it puts out MUCH less heat then with fresh fuel.

I'll keep filling my car at the 55 cetane pump, thanks

-Jason
__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 02-19-2009, 06:21 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Cowlesville NY
Posts: 129
From 'answers.google.com'

After checking various vendor websites, the general shelf life of home
heating diesel fuel is suggested to be 3 months (most conservative
suggestion) to about 2 years. This is depending on whether or not
specific preservatives or additives have been mixed into the fuel to
prolong the shelf life, and the quality of the oil (how it was made,
by cracking, biodiesel, etc.). Regardless of initial shelf life, one
company, PRI, makes an additive (named PRI-D for diesel, but they also
have PRI-G for gasoline) which can be used to retreat diesel fuel
every 18-24 months allowing stored diesel fuel to be used effectively
for an extended 2-10 years (depending on initial quality of fuel).
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 02-19-2009, 11:16 AM
mobetta's Avatar
(Oo{-I-}oO)
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: minnesota,hey.
Posts: 1,841
I know a guy w/ 800 Gal of HHO that was put into a tank in 88. then the(large) building suffered a minor fire, and the heating system was refit w/ gas, and there it sits.

I'd filter it and burn it. but dont go fill your whole tank, just try a few gallons. its not that hard to drain the tank if it dont run at all........

__________________
1984 123.193 372,xxx miles, room for Seven.

1999 Dodge Durango Cummins 4BTAA 47RE 5k lb 4x4 getting 25+mpgs, room for Seven.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:30 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page