Kerosene - Silly question

ValleyForge

ValleyForge

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Why aren't there any kerosene powered engines about ? (as in internal combustion, not gas turbine) My mates old Chieftain tank runs on heating oil, could even run on creosote apparently. That has a deltic 18 cyl job.
Too difficult to make / convert ?

For marine use - why not ?

From a tax perpective the engine would be a heating element, propulsion would be a side effect.... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Kerosene is not a good fuel. TVO was a distant cousin, however vintage tractor operators have to make do with a mix of kero and lube oil to try and make an equivalent mix. Kerosene is also getting real expensive.

The Chieftain tank was not powered by Napier Deltic engine but the infamous Leyland L60 six cylinder opposed piston multi fuel engine. Supposed to burn anything, didn't. Supposed to produce 760 Hp didn't. Supposed to be reliable, certainly was not, cracked liners for a pastime, burnt pistons and had built in oil leaks. Fuel usage was almost as bad as gasoline engine in Centurion tank.

Gasoline engines running on TVO had to start on gasoline before switching to TVO and than switch back to gas before stopping.

TVO has been dead for twenty years and with the world fast running out of carbon fuels multi fuel engines would just use it up faster.

Finally RCD Emissions Regs compared with EPA are as lax as hell, however NO two stroke multi fuel or Diesel engine will come near to meeting RCD Hc emissions.
 
Lovely little engine that was used as a starter for the main engine would make nice marine engine.

Coventry Climax H30. Weeny little three cylinder two stroke diesel that would also ran on anything. 1litre 37 Hp @ 3000 rpm. Now that was a little gem.

Still used by the MOD, they do not care so much about emissions when they are trying to shoot somebody anyway.
 
Friend of mine is running his Volvo Penta on it and has done for two years.
Adds a little diesel two stroke oil.

Warranty has now just expired and no reported problems.

I used to run my AQAD41s ( Volvo 200hp) on 50% mix with no additives without any noticeable difference.
 
Kerosene is a 28 second oil Vs 32/35 for Diesel.

Absolutely bonkers to run diesels on Kero. We HAD to do it in Zimbabwe and could get away with 30 kero. Reduced engine life by at least 30%. 50/50 blend reduced engine life 70% so we stuck at 30/70 blend with recycled lube oil added. Engine performance is also reduced.

To try any tricks such as this with a modern common rail diesel engine WILL wipe out the Bosch CP3 pump in a trice as it is fuel lubricated.

Take out the common rail fuel pump by feeding it fuel of this nature on a Volvo D3, D4,6, John Deere or Cummins and you are into 4K per engine plus labour. Manufacturers warranty is voided as the service people can spot damage caused by junk fuel a mile away.

I never thought we would be having this discussion in anything other than a third world country.
 
I am well aware of Thierlert diesel conversions. Part of the conversion mandated by the Bosch CP3 pump is the use of a slow release lubricity enhancing fuel filter. This is for use on Jet A1 ONLY not kero.

If anybody is even thinking of using diesel cut with anything please refer to any manufacturers published fuel standards.

If this thread reflects the prevailing view of even a small percentage of owners I can see expensive tears before bed time.
 
>>>>
and with the world fast running out of carbon fuels
>>>>
Yeah Right. Who told you that? a politician no doubt!

>>>>
I never thought we would be having this discussion in anything other than a third world country.
>>>>
This is a third world country thanks to the crooked scum running it!
 
I totally agree with you and also have a heap of experience with the chieftain engines. TVO is dead, leave it there.
Is there some reason peeps on here think kerosene is a natrural product? ie not made from crude mineral oil?
 
[ QUOTE ]
I never thought we would be having this discussion in anything other than a third world country

[/ QUOTE ]


It is a measure of how grabber gordon has reduced this once great country with the punative tax regime
 
When I raised this question I wasn't thinking of using kerosene in an existing engine - I was wondering if a new engine type could be designed & manufactured that would run cleanly & economically.

The advantage is that it would use a fuel that does not attract any road fuel tax or levy - & maybe never would so long as the use was restricted to marine or stationary engine use.

Is it really that dirty a fuel ? I would have thought it midway between petrol & diesel. Jet engines seem to burn the stuff ok.
 
[ QUOTE ]
The advantage is that it would use a fuel that does not attract any road fuel tax or levy

[/ QUOTE ] If people start using it, it will.
 
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