Jet A in a diesel engine?? (1 Viewer)

[duece71]

Just curious if anyone has used Jet fuel in their diesel. A newer diesel with the DEF requirement might be a no/go. I understand some sort of lubricant might need to be added but maybe a 50/50 mix would work? Getting the ratio correct might be a bit tricky/trial and error. Would it be worth trying on an older diesel?

 

[rick_d]

Is the jet A free?

Just buy the reg diesel or cheat and get offroad red.

 

[OM617YOTA]

Jet A is kerosene, which is pretty close to #1 diesel. I just ran through ~25 gallons of kerosene in mine, dumping in a couple gallons as I remembered. Ran great. Oregon has a B5 biodiesel mandate, no lubricity concerns from a couple gallons of kero and the rest of the tank full of diesel.

Jet A is pretty high in sulfur, raw fuel has an acrid stink to it. Definitely don't use it in any modern DPF equipped diesel. Depending on what engine oil you're running, your oil might not like high sulfur fuel either, even in an older diesel.

Jet A is much more expensive than diesel around here, no chance of burning it without good reason.

 

[duece71]

Is the jet A free?

Just buy the reg diesel or cheat and get offroad red.

Sometimes jet powered aircraft have to be de-fueled (pumped out) for maintenance on the fuel system. That fuel that comes out is considered contaminated and can not be used in an aircraft again. I think it’s possible to recycle the fuel but I am not certain on this. I need to ask around to see what happens to this contaminated jet fuel and if it would be available.

 

[duece71]

Jet A is kerosene, which is pretty close to #1 diesel. I just ran through ~25 gallons of kerosene in mine, dumping in a couple gallons as I remembered. Ran great. Oregon has a B5 biodiesel mandate, no lubricity concerns from a couple gallons of kero and the rest of the tank full of diesel.

Jet A is pretty high in sulfur, raw fuel has an acrid stink to it. Definitely don't use it in any modern DPF equipped diesel. Depending on what engine oil you're running, your oil might not like high sulfur fuel either, even in an older diesel.

Jet A is much more expensive than diesel around here, no chance of burning it without good reason.

Yes, I wouldn’t purchase “new” uncontaminated jet fuel to try out. Very expensive in most areas here in the US. Kerosene might be worth a try but I would only use it as a mix with diesel fuel.

 

[OM617YOTA]

Sounds great. If it's free drain fuel you can afford to add some 2 stroke oil or B99 biodiesel as a lubricity additive and rock on. Maybe pour through a filter funnel to make sure it's not actually contaminated.

 

[duece71]

Sounds great. If it's free drain fuel you can afford to add some 2 stroke oil or B99 biodiesel as a lubricity additive and rock on. Maybe pour through a filter funnel to make sure it's not actually contaminated.

I don’t think the contamination is something that can be seen. No chunks or other debris, not what I am referring to. When an aircraft fuel tank is exposed to the open air as in over wing fueling, small microbes that live on the carbon element in the jet fuel can get into the tank. The microbes live on the carbon and produce large quantities of waste products that, if left unchecked, can build up in the tank and cause serious issues. Free or greatly price reduced “defueled” jet fuel would be worth a try as the contamination would not be detrimental to the trucks fuel system. I would have to see if this defueled Jet fuel is available or if it is sent off for recycling.

 

[OM617YOTA]

When an aircraft fuel tank is exposed to the open air as in over wing fueling, small microbes that live on the carbon element in the jet fuel can get into the tank. The microbes live on the carbon and produce large quantities of waste products that, if left unchecked, can build up in the tank and cause serious issues.

Interesting. I've had Jet A go "off" on me, and this might have been the process. Stunk like vinegar, carboned up kerosene lamp wicks in very short order and caused them to go out. Had only one piece of a hard bit of something that looked like glass or hard candy dumped in water in the bottom. I dumped it in my 617 powered truck and burned it without issue, treating with biocide just to be safe.

 

[duece71]

Interesting. I've had Jet A go "off" on me, and this might have been the process. Stunk like vinegar, carboned up kerosene lamp wicks in very short order and caused them to go out. Had only one piece of a hard bit of something that looked like glass or hard candy dumped in water in the bottom. I dumped it in my 617 powered truck and burned it without issue, treating with biocide just to be safe.

That hard piece you found could be the waste product I referred to. Biocide really helps in jet aircraft….its called “Prist” and is quite common in the aviation world.

 

[TheBussman]

I would defiantly run it with additive/2 stroke oil. In fact there are some non-mainstream piston diesel aircraft that run on jet-a I'm pretty sure without any additive at all and they are newer common-rail engines.

 

[bcsteel]

If you my handling JetA with prist, make sure you glove up. It’s nasty stuff.