Black Diesel

[C-Wade7]

I saw an ad today on Craig’s list about this and went to the address oiltofuel.com, but it is selling plans for it and doesn’t give any real info. It talks of processing used oil to use as fuel. Has anyone read about this or doing this? I work at a dealer, and run used trans fluid 60/40 in my 00 7.3l Ford, but can get almost an endless supply of clean used oil if this process works good.

[C-Wade7]

havent heard from anyone, does anyone know of a process to use used engine oil to make fuel other than burning it straight?

[Rick McKay]

I've heard of a sawmill in our area that used to mix it 50-50 in the summer time. Used it in their trucks and forklifts. They didn't do it in the winter time because it would separate. The key is clean oil.

Rick

[Esteban32696]

I have experimented with it a little with older military diesel engines. I wouldn't have any idea how it would effect newer ones. Take old motor oil/trans fluid, filter it WELL, WELL, WELL, [ good filters at biodiesel kit suppliers ] then we ran it 20-1 [ 20 gal. new fuel to 1 gal filtered oil ] Seems like we got it up to 10-1 , later w/o problems. Also, added a little diesel fuel conditioner .New filters on engine a must!
Remember- do this at your own risk.

[C-Wade7]

I filter and run used trans oil at 50/50 % and sometimes more in the summer and 70/30% winter with no problems. A friend w/ a 96 7.3l runs 100% trans in the summer with no problem here in texas. I just wonder how bad engine oil would smoke or if it will burn well. The web site i saw talked as if you process it some,but im not sure.

[moh58]

I am a maintenance manager for an fairly large independent fleet. We produce about 2500 gallons of waste oil every month. The oil is picked up by a recycling company that refines the waste oil into diesel.
The fuel that is produced does not meet the Department of Transportation or EPA standards, but is adequate for marine use where regulations aren't so strict.

[Contaucreek]

Over at listerengine.com we have a forum dealing with used motor oil as a diesel substitute, lots of info on other fuel sources too ! Paul.

[BTPost]

The real trick to using Used LubeOil as Diesel Fuel, is to Filter it clear down to 5 microns,as ANY Particulate Matter in the Used Oil will quickly erode your Injector Pump precision parts and your Injector Tips. You also need to run it thru a deAcidfier, to remove the Sulfuric Acid, OR, never use more than a 20:1 Ratio Mix, with regular diesel. If you don't do that, your Fuel System will be Acid Etched, fairly quickly, as ALL the Acid products of diesel combustion end up in the LubeOil.

[C-Wade7]

What i use is used trans oil, so i dont think the acidity is so high, i do filter 3 times though to get clutch/band material out.

[Richard Sturdy]

Although waste engine/trans oil can be re-refined and cracked to produce excellent diesel fuel, this is a complex industrial process and requires a large scale and very expensive installation. However, it is possible to produce "black diesel" as a substitute fuel for diesel engines, by deacidifying selected used engine/trans oils and blending with a proportion of kerosene to adjust the viscosity to 35 seconds Redwood No 1, then force filtering down BELOW 5 microns, to remove abrasive particles which would ruin any injection equipment. Such "fuel" is better confined to older, less sophisticated engines in which it will work ok if you are very careful with the processing, but I certainly would NOT recommend using it in your new BMW!!. Actually, kits for the process used to be available for use in some African countries.

Tricky Dickie