Adding Kero to Diesel...

Seat_Time · Jan 20, 2005

Hi All, I'm staring down the barrel of some tractor work this weekend...looks like a pretty good storm coming for the Mid Atlantic and I figure I'll be moving snow around.
My concern/question is this: I have a full tank (Bota B7200D) that is fuel from this Summer. With temps in the teens, I figure I could stand a Winter blend. Can I add some Kerosene directly to the fuel tank? I don't know the capacity of the tank...I'll track that down, but what is the ratio? If my tank is 4 gallons, what is a "safe" or meaningful amount of kero I could add. Does the ratio need to be exact? In other words, if I err on the low side, I won't hurt anything? Or, would the rule of thumb be that if you can't get the ratio exact, then don't do anything at all, or a little bit won't hurt...just don't put too much... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Thanks so much for any input!

cowboydoc · Jan 20, 2005

I would just get some powerservice and put it in. Alot cheaper than trying to put kerosene in and worrying about the right ratio. It will also be better for your tractor.

Seat_Time · Jan 20, 2005

Hi, Thanks for the quick response...is powerservice a brand name? Is it something that would be available at a place like PEP BOYS?

Bob_Skurka · Jan 20, 2005

Yes, Powerservice is a brand name. There are dozens of brands out there. Any one of them is good. We use various brands in our diesel truck fleet and all have proven to work equally well. You are looking for a product that provides anti-gel properties. Some brands very clearly say Anti-Gel on the front lable. You can find these products at any autoparts store, and you can typically find them at any retailer that sells diesel fuel.

If you don't use a lot of fuel each year, look to the smaller bottles, typically a small bottle will treat between 35 and 100 gallons (depending on bottle size) the big bottles will treat a storage tank.

cowboydoc · Jan 20, 2005

This site will give you more information and tell you where to purchase it.

Seat_Time · Jan 20, 2005

Thanks very much everyone, love this site!
Here's to a big storm...hope so anyhow /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

EddieWalker · Jan 20, 2005

Kerosine is just a more highly refined diesel. You really couldn't put too much into your fuel tank, it's just wasteful to do so. Lots of old timers use it to clean out there fuel system and injectors as an additive.

Problem with Kerosine is it doesn't lubricate very well.

You're much better off using an additive. It's a good idea to also plan on using it every hundred hours to help keep your system clean.

SeymourBota · Jan 20, 2005

I'm not sure temps in the teens would necessitate blending. Certainly anything single digits minus would...

If you feel the need, you can mix in 20% kero with no problem and you don't need to be too precise about your measurement.

As mentioned, additives are probably a better answer if you can buy them readily.

JJT · Jan 20, 2005

It's common up north for folks to add 50% kerosene to any summer fuel that wasn't used before it got cold.

cp1969 · Jan 20, 2005

Maybe I'm reading your post wrong, but how can you add anything if the tank is already full?

I'm not a beliver in additives, but unless you want to drain some of your fuel out, adding additives seems to be about your only option. If you decide to drain to make space, why not just drain it all and replace with winterized fuel?

If your tank is full of #2 from summer time, you will find out how well the anti-gel properties of whatever additive you choose works if the temp gets down to zero or so.

If you have access to #1 diesel, you can run it straight if you so desire. Although kerosene is very nearly the same thing, kero doesn't have to meet any of the requirements for diesel engines set forth in ASTM D975 and may not. #1 meets all of them and is good to about -30F.