I'm thinking of mixing 20 parts of paraffin to one part of thin oil with the idea that this mixture would condition the fuel system. I've heard of using ATF for this, and I've got some left over from an old auto car, but when it runs out I thought I might use pump diesel instead as this would make it even cheaper.
Since mine is a 'cooking engine' based on 1980s technology, I might use a much larger quantity - say one pint of the mix to a tankful (15 gal). I certainly wouldn't be considering this if I ran a Ford Zetec for example.
I know that this will lower the octane rating of the petrol, and possibly increase the heat of the burn somewhat, but probably within limits for my engine with its conservatively set ignition.
Anyone who might also have thought along these lines, please note that I have no qualifications in the automotive sense, and I would of course welcome comments, especially from those who know much more.
|
I have read on the net, that when ATF is introduced to the heat and pressure of a combustion chamber, it creates corrosive gases, so I wouldn't do that if I was erring on the side of caution.
During the fuel protests, I experimented with all kinds of fuel substitutes and extenders, I found even a relatively small amount of paraffin effected the running, and I needed a new Lambda probe not long after.
What are you trying to do, remove existing depostits?
|
I dont see why it would condition the fuel system. If thats the objective then I would buy a bottle of fuel conditioner. The danger of parafin is its low volatality which can lead to unburnt parafin draining down the cylinder walls and diluting the sump oil. For some years I ran an older car on TVO (tractor vaporising oil) which is a parafin fraction but has better volatality. I also ran two 40hp Johnson outboards (2 strokes) for more than 20 years on a 70/30 mixture of TVO and petrol. Both these types of engines leant themselves to this because the car was a slow running engine designed for 68 octane petrol and the outboards were running at high but mostly constant revs.
I would hesitate to use ordinary parafin in a car engine, even one from the 80s, where there is a likelyhood of varying the revs sharply as you would do in modern traffic.
|
I'm not clear what exactly conditioning the fuel would do for it.
As has been mentioned, any attempt to eke out petrol with something cheaper is a risky non-starter in my view, unless you have a vintage tractor or a Model T, or as I did once, to use up a mistaken diesel/petrol mix in an old lawnmower.
It has been previously suggested that as carburettor/injector cleaner is really only parafin with 10% oil, it would be perfectly safe to make up your own, and I have seen ATF suggested, perhaps only to give the brew an authentic red colour.
But of course the quantity added is minute - an eggcup full in a tank of petrol. The purpose is not to "condition" the petrol but to clean the system.
|
|
You can run a diesel engine on jet fuel, I know two people who have done this, at 35 pence per litre its quite cheap.
|
Pump life suffers mind, due to lack of lubricity :-(
--
groups.msn.com/honestjohn - Pictures say a thousand words.....
|
|
|
|
I'm definitly having second thoughts after reading the above.
Many thanks for your wise words and experience, even the diesel guys who hijacked the topic :0)
|
|
Redex type Injector Cleaner / Carb Cleaner consists of paraffin (kerosene in US) + Ethanol + Automatic transmission fluid. The main benefit is absorbing moisture in the fuel and de-gummimg the jets/injectors. Home brewed versions work just as well, but are cost-effective because of the much lower price.
|
"say one pint of the mix to a tankful (15 gal)."
Thats a lot more than it says on the redex tub.
Has anyone had success with the home brew method of just 1ml paraffin per litre of petrol without bothering with ATF or ethanol?
Is it going to do any harm to my 1993 1.4 TU fuel injected engine? The MOT man advised me to use some redex type stuff as he had to rev the knackers off it to get through emissions.
I'm about to do it but was put off by the comments above.....
|
|
I wouldn't dare use ATF these days, it's very different stuff than it was in the good ol' days. EP additives can create corrosive gases upon combustion, at least that's what I'm told.
|
|
|
|
£30,650was £31,200Details![2023 MINI Hatchback 5dr 1.5 Cooper Sport 5dr Auto [Comfort/Nav Pack]](//images.honestjohn.co.uk/imagecache/url/crop/90x60/https/cdn.uk.prod.group-mobility-trader.com/images/cas/2a116adf54aca2d5f6bc2f7fd5f2874b/4898f4d89dba688aad1d3a92148de678.jpg)
£22,380was £23,143Details
£34,643was £41,998Details
£24,436was £24,703Details
![2023 MINI Hatchback 5dr 1.5 Cooper Sport 5dr Auto [Comfort/Nav Pack]](http://images.honestjohn.co.uk/imagecache/url/crop/90x60/https/cdn.uk.prod.group-mobility-trader.com/images/cas/2a116adf54aca2d5f6bc2f7fd5f2874b/4898f4d89dba688aad1d3a92148de678.jpg)
