Diesel engine question......

[catso]

I know this is a bit O/T but does anyone know if a diesel engine, such as a small generator or ride-on mower, will run on 28 sec, Central heating boiler, oil either with or without any modification?

[lukeb]

As I understand, diesel engines are pretty tolerant of their fuel, and the simpler the engine the more tolerant. I may allegedly know people who run non common rail diesel cars almost exclusively on heating oil.

I'm certainly not a diesel expert though, so don't take that as an emphatic 'yes'.

[catso]

Yes I thought that it might be OK, I'm talking about very simple 2 cylinder Mower and single cylinder Generator engines, neither has any 'electronics' or are used as road vehicles, Red diesel may be cheaper?? but since I have Oil Heating and have a large tank of fuel to hand it would be convenient to use it for these engines - and, even though it's gone up in price recently, it's still only about 35p a litre.

[chassis 33]

Yes they will run on pretty much anything, albeit possibly at reduced power, pro rata with the calorific value of the fuel.

For example military spec diesel gens sets have a de-rate figure for running on AVTUR which is used in cold climates, as #2 diesel (what we know as common diesel) solidifies (waxes) at approx 0oF.

Regards
Iain