Home heating oil vs #2 diesel

Question

Home heating oil vs #2 diesel

ewalk (Agricultural)

(OP)

8 Apr 08 17:05

I have about 230 gal of 25 year old heating oil that needs to be used up. Can I use this to fuel an older diesel tractor? I can blend it with some fresh fuel to "freshen" the whole batch.

My recollection from school is that both of these are essentially the same fuel.

Thanks, ewalk

IceStationZebra (Mechanical) · Answer 1 · 2008-04-09 00:35:31

I would mix it - probably at least 2 parts new to 1 part old. And make sure you don't get any water or crud mixed into your good fuel.

ISZ

CSLufkin (Mechanical) · Answer 2 · 2008-04-09 13:17:06

When Fuel Oil sits stagnant for extended periods it will grow algae and bacteria. I'm no expert, but you might want to run it thru a fine filter as you dispense it to keep the large pieces out of your tank. I would not let it stand i stagnant in your tractor tank too long either, as the "Stuff" might start to grow again.
Someone smarter will probably chime in soon.

BigInch (Petroleum) · Answer 3 · 2008-04-21 13:34:24

25 years old? Sell it for research purposes.

Seriously, if it will still burn, burn it, but not in any engine. If the engine malfunctions, no manufacturer will honor their warranty as soon as they found out improper fuel was used.

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ChrisAust (Agricultural) · Answer 4 · 2008-04-23 19:15:10

We used some really old heating oil as fuel some years ago but that was in a 1936 Lanz Bulldog tractor, which would run on anything from Kerosene to coal dust.

For the sake of a couple of hundred dollars, I don't think I'd risk using it.

ornerynorsk (Industrial) · Answer 5 · 2008-04-30 13:37:13

Filter it and blend it with new. That's what ships do to "freshen" their oil.

danthemeterman (Petroleum) · Answer 6 · 2008-05-07 22:03:36

You will be sorry if you don't mix it at least 10-1. If it sat in a vented barrel, it will have taken on lots of moisture. as the man said, for a few hundred dollars, burn it on a plie of wood, and you didn't hear that from me. !!!!!!!

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Home heating oil vs #2 diesel