I have a 93 F-350 four door with a 7.3 (and I love it!)
I've been using it mostly off road lately on Dad's farm instead of driving it to work so at his suggestion started running furnace oil in it. What's the con's? I know the pro's are 35 cents a litre cheaper fuel! A guy from work said that furnace oil has no cetane put in it like diesel does. (he's a diesel mechanic) I told him that the cetane rating is just a measurement, there is no such thing as "cetane" that can be added. He thinks it will run hotter and not start when it gets cold. I guess that I should mention too, that it is not coloured and appears to be diesel without road tax. (which was confirmed by the delivery guy who said it's all the same now, has been for a few years)
So,
1) Is there a difference between diesel and furnace oil?
2) If there is, will it do anything to my engine?
Thanks,
Jim
It will run fine on fuel oil. It "may" be dirtier and clog filters faster. Depends on if it is refined with diesel or seperately.
"Personally" I would not do it unless I took the registration off of the truck so that it was absolutely an off-road truck. It doesn't take much for a neighbor to see you fueling and report you. Fines are hefty.
If the truck is off-road only you can burn whatever you like legally.
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1985 International rollback, 6.9L 5 speed "Li'l Big Truck"
You must be in Canada, all fuel oil in the states is red. Fuel oil is the same as diesel fuel. Used lots of it in my bus when I had it, the old Detroit liked it just fine.
my father knows everything in it its asame as diesel except for the dye he builds the trucks that carry it along with any petro fuel tanker that you see on the road same no pros or cons except price (same as offroad) the ulsd is just completely different
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88 F-250 body,550 rear frame setup, 7.3 idi, 3:73 dana 80 rear, srw, dana 50 front, heavy duty leaf springs, back up camera, 20$ wallyworld fog lamps, class 5 bumper hitch welded to frame and gusseted, 32" steering tires all around, ac power converter,jeep bucket seats, deezee runningboards (cab only),cobra 29 cb w/ 102" whip, 2 trucklight worklights on front stake pocket each side,high lift jack behind seat, toolbox for the junk, visor, running lights, 6600 lbs with all my junk
They can sell anything as fuel oil. From ULSD that is as clean as motor fuel to high sulfur stuff that has wierd bits of trash floating in it. It depends on the individual refinery and the batch.
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1985 International rollback, 6.9L 5 speed "Li'l Big Truck"
Heating oil is not ultra low sulfur - we have been running tractors on heating oil but have been warned that there's a steep fine for continuing to do so. Otherwise it's the same as diesel except without the road tax paid.
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'93 F-250, - most original at 252K miles, rebuilt E4OD 220K miles
Thanks for all the replys guys, yes I'm in Canada and no the fuel is not dyed. As far as being treated for winter, yes it must be because most oil barrels are outside. Another house I had, had the filter at the tank (outside) and continually froze up until I hung a 40 watt bulb in a milk crate over it. After I moved the filter inside by the furnace the problem of frozen filters was gone. However, I still think they must do something, can you imagine 1000's of people calling the oil company when the temp goes to -40 because their furnace oil gelled?
Anyway, thanks for the info, and yes the truck is used mostly off road. As far as a couple quick jaunts into town with furnace oil in it? F&^% em! Lol! I'm not concerned with the neihbors saying anything and I've never heard of a vehicle having the fuel checked around here....EVER...
It is the same stuff. it comes out of the same place at the refinery, is delivered in the same truck. They just dye it in the storage tanks.
If it stays outside in the winter it is Kero. it will run fine, just get less mpg.
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1996 F-250 extended cab long box five speed. Home made Tymar, 203 Stat, 60 gal in bed fuel cell, 315/75's, no muffler, ebpv welded open 3" to 3" DP, Babies. 290K, still chugging, and still smoking when cold.
UPDATED 8/1/08 Replace so far. 1 LUK flywheel+clutch, 2 thermostats, 2 set of brakes, 1 set of calipers, 5 CPS, 3 sets of tires, 2 Transfer pumps, 1 Injector modual, 1 Computer, 2 Alt, 2 sets of batteries, 1 Water pump, 6 Belts, 1 PS hose, 2 Sets ball joints, 2 set u-joints, 2 carrier bearing, 2 Speed sensors, 1 oil pres sender, 1 temp sender, 4 sets of e-break cables, 1 front fuel tank, 2 rear fuel tanks, 2 set of glow plugs, 6 Glow plug relays, Oil galley o-rings, Turbo pedistal o-rings, EBPV o-rings, 3 sets of Injector O-rings, 1 Vac-pump, 1 new carpet.Total $$$ in repairs v/s miles driven = 3.0 cents per mile. Add fuel to that it jumps to 14.8 cents per mile over the life of the truck.
My father used to deliver both furnace oil and diesel fuel to stations. In the winter time the furnace oil and the diesel came from the same tank and is winter diesel so that the fuel doesn't gel. The only reason I don't run it is I'm afraid of the fine if caught. It is huge here in Canada!! The government want their road tax dollars bad!!
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94 F250 S/C 4x4 7.3 lt IDI factory turbo E4OD and 4.10 soon to be limited slip, bone stock with triple gauge pod on the a pillar
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