Jet Fuel A in 7.3's - Diesel Forum

PwrStrkd73 · 04-27-2006, 03:11 PM

Can you burn JetFuelA in our trucks? One of my friends can supposedly get it for me free from his work every once in a while.

Machinehead · 04-27-2006, 04:09 PM

I dont KNOW this but from what I have read on this subject is your truck will obviously run on it BUT....Jet A doesnt have the same lubricating properties that #2 does. So basically its not that great for the injectors and maybe some other stuff in you truck. A helicopter pilot I was talking with a few years ago was flying from here (Calif.) back to Alaska. He said he had to land for fuel about every 2 hours. He also said some of the places he takes on fuel in Alaska pump #2, Jet A, and Kerosene out of the same tank. So of course that would mean it is ALL Jet A in the tank if aircraft fill from it. So obviously people do it but I guess that doesnt make it a GOOD idea even if its free. Im sure someone with more knowledge on the subject will answer up soon. Tom

Airplaneguy57 · 04-27-2006, 04:41 PM

First off let me provide the following information I found on the web.

Jet A is a similar kerosene type of fuel, produced to an ASTM specification and normally only available in the U.S.A. It has the same flash point (100F)as Jet A-1 but a higher freeze point maximum (-40°C). It is supplied against the ASTM D1655 (Jet A) specification.

JP-5 is a high flash (140F) point kerosene meeting the requirements of the U.S. Military Specification MIL-PRF-5624S Grade JP-5. JP-5 also meets the requirements of the British Specification DEF STAN 91-86 AVCAT/FSII (formerly DERD 2452). NATO Code F-44.

The reason I provided the JP-5 is we used this fuel for all of our diesels on the island I was stationed on back in the day. No additives at all. With that being said I also had a friend who ran a VW diesel and used this product exclusively. I did add something for lubrication. You know our Powerstroke are not like allot of other diesels, so make sure you add a lubricant. What I'm thinking of doing is when I start making my Bio mix it with Jet A.

NCHornet · 04-27-2006, 05:03 PM

You first. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/phoney.gif[/img]

PwrStrkd73 · 04-27-2006, 05:28 PM

OK, great info! Lets see if he can really get me a 55 gallon drum as he says first. Anyone know any brand names or mixing ratios for the "lubricant".

Also (if anyone works in this field) is it true that aircraft mechanics cannot refuel the planes with the fuel they sump out of them when they work on them? Supposedly this is where the free fuel comes from and there's a list at his work to get the sumped fuel. Almost sounds too good to be true, but maybe. For people like us that'd be a helluva fringe benefit!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

tall_green · 04-27-2006, 05:36 PM

He's going to get in trouble for stealing.

Im thinking crisco with supreme unleaded [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/warmsmile.gif[/img]

PwrStrkd73 · 04-27-2006, 05:59 PM

No, no apparently they give it to people cause they cannot re-fuel the plane with the fuel they sumped out. A lot of people get it to burn in their furnaces.

Airplaneguy57 · 04-27-2006, 06:04 PM

"cannot refuel the planes with the fuel they sump out of them when they work on them" No they can't place the removed fuel into the aircraft BUT what most do is the fuel is placed back into the storage tanks where it is refiltered and issued to the aircraft fleet. What kind of fleet is he working on to have a 55 gal drum full of Jet A. Even if you defuel an aircraft it gets sucked into a truck. You gotta remember this stuff is gold. It cost more than diesel and the aircraft burns it at an ungodly rate. If he can get it legally than lucky you. If it's not he will loose his job and maybe even have trouble with the law. Since you accepted the fuel.... You can figure where this is going.

bobkes · 04-27-2006, 06:11 PM

Sounds like he is getting sump fuel from the morning round on the fuel farm tanks and the refuel trucks. If it is they pull a few cups of fuel out of the bottom (sump) of the tank to remove any possible water from the nights cold air condensing inside the storage tank. I used to get it from the big FBO at LAN.

got_diesel_smoke · 04-27-2006, 06:24 PM

Yes, the psd will burn jet A. Mix it with a lubricant of some sort. I do not know what kind to use or the ratio. I have access to jet A but have elected not to burn it in mine.

badcb · 04-27-2006, 07:23 PM

Ok heres my take.We in the service burn jet fuel(JP-5) in our diesels.If diesel isnt available. We add what is the equivalent of trans fluid to it for lubrication.I know the diesels we have are old school and sometimes smoke like crazy if you dont get the mixture right. The jet mechanics when working on the jets most of the time have to drain fuel lines and wash and clean all parts in diesel fuel(JP-5).In turn they have barrels of the stuff laying around sometimes.
In turn this fuel has the red dye in it that marks it for commercial
use.

Airplaneguy57 · 04-27-2006, 08:35 PM

Other way around. Fuel with red die will get you a ticket if you get dipped.

jlrsn · 04-27-2006, 08:56 PM

I've pumped/burned hundreds of thousands of gallons of Jet Fuel in the last 45+ years all over the world and I've never came across a red jet fuel. I have refueled at foreign military airports in Europe, all across Russia, Mexico, Central/South America and the Military Jet Fuel was straw colored to almost clear.

Up to and as of today Civilian Jet-A is straw colored to almost clear. It's been quite a few years since I burned U.S. Military JP-4 or JP-5 so I can't account for the color of the U.S. Military JP-5 now.

I heated my home from sump samples in the early 60's with straw colored U.S. Military JP-4 in Spain.

I've never used Jet Fuel in any of my 7.3L engines but I imagine with Stanadyne Performance Formula to give it additional lubrication it would run just fine. The going rate for Jet-A as of today is $4.95 per gallon without discount.

mjstin · 04-28-2006, 01:02 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Sounds like he is getting sump fuel from the morning round on the fuel farm tanks and the refuel trucks. If it is they pull a few cups of fuel out of the bottom (sump) of the tank to remove any possible water from the nights cold air condensing inside the storage tank. I used to get it from the big FBO at LAN.

[/ QUOTE ]

If he's getting the sump fuel from the aircraft you better make sure you filter the water out. Usually there is at least a pint in the tanks but on ocassion I've seen several gallons of water come out of the fuel tanks before you get any fuel and it all gets dumped the same waste fuel barrel.

jlrsn · 04-28-2006, 01:32 AM

Take the jet fuel from the top of the barrel. The water is heavier than the jet fuel and will settle to the bottom. To confirm that the fuel you take is water free put a little red food dye in the fuel and swirl it around once or twice and then let it settle. If you have water the food dye will mix with the water and instantly color it. It will look like little red beads to a long red slug on the bottom dependent on how much water there is. Don't get carried away with the food dye as less than a half of a teaspoon full will be enough for a 20 gallon tank.