I've been outside working and had to get my torpedo/salamander heater out.
It was running great on the two year(last time I used it) old kerosene in it.. then it ran out of fuel. So I decided to dump some diesel I've had laying around for over year in it. Well, it runs but is noticeably cooler(which is fine, it's not that cold out) and smells bad. I noticed that the bucket I used for the diesel transfer(from 55 gallon) had some water in the bottom.

What do you think? Should I dump a little gasoline in the tank to give the crazy diesel mixture some kick? Top it off with fresh kerosene(which would require a trip tot he gas station)? Drain the heater tank and start over, which I would like to avoid?

I don't want to get into a situation where the heater won't start/ignite because of crappy fuel. And it should be noted that my heater is at least 20 years old and not technically rated for diesel.

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08 R320 CDI current

Past
95 E420
87 300D Turbo 5spd
90 300TE
83 300SD
85 300TD
92 400E
85 190D

My heaters are very old and I ran them on diesel. It has been a few years since I used them and they sat for several years before that. I bought them used, broken down, and they were quite old when I got them. I took them apart and got them going, not difficult. I want to say that there was a pump and filter that needed cleaning.

Try to download a manual if you don't have one.

I wouldn't chance the water but if the diesel burns clean then it wouldn't scare me.

I wouldn't put gas in one. I hear stories from the regional burn center and I am hearing stories about fumes and flash burns that sound worse than what I would expect from past experience.

Drain or syphon the water out of the tank, then switch back to kerosene. Air-atomizing burners were never really happy with #2 fuel, espescially in colder weather.

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'83 300D, 126K miles.

thats why they have diesel rated burners

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran

Mine might be diesel rated. I couldn't say but they burned diesel and the only difference I remember is the smell. Kerosene is nicer but cost more and not sold as many places.

Last used to thaw frozen pipes. This year I think we have had one light frost. Still have greens and caterpillars.