I know there is much chat about the use of WVO and SVO at present. Can anyone confirm their experience of running Kerosene/Home heating oil in a Merc Diesel?
I don't think there is enough lubrication when using solely kerosene, and for that reason I wouldn't recommend risking a Mercedes engine by using it. Around 10 years ago during the fuel shortage, I ran our worst fleet vehicle (an ageing LDV van) on paraffin for just a few hundred miles and although I got away with it, I wouldn't do it again even if introducing lubricant into the tank.
Back in the 1950's it was a frequent dodge by some lorry drivers to mix paraffin with their diesel, you could smell it if following them. Of course it was a cost issue though constituted a tax issue!
H the owners manual says you can use up to 50/50 kerosene and Diesel mixed, for cold weather running.... cheers!
My father in law runs WVO in his old Rover. Living in Scotland its mostly cold there. When making it he mixes it with methanol for extra burn and cold start purposes. It works a treat.
Thanks. That's even better to know. It does seem a bit of a grey area though. Not so long ago, I remember you had to declare any alternative fuel usage to HMRC and pay the relevant duty. More recently I understand that there is a fairly large tax free allowance(the exact number escapes me) and most private users would never exceed this amount. So you could effectively run your car on vegetable oil bought from costco at 70p a litre and not have to pay any fuel duty. This amounts to a fairly significant saving. Are you not allowed to use kerosene as an additive in fuel then...?
As far as I know it can be used as road fuel but you have pay the duty, thus not making it any or much cheaper than pumped diesel, in my previous reply I was remarking on, just popping it in your tank and away you go (without informing customs and excise). The tax allowance you refer to is for vegetable oils, used as UK road fuel, used as veg oil, bio diesel etc. We can use less than 2500 Lt's per year tax free. vegetableoildiesel.co.uk - How does 2500 ltr limit work.?? - Powered by XMB
yes if caught your car is confiscated on the spot. It is then up to you to prove how much kero you used so you can pay the duty and the large fine. My mate got caught [tipper lorrys with gas oil] 46k to get 3 trucks back from the man and that was 15yrs ago. IS it worth it. Veg oil i've heard works well BUT, why is there always a but! As veg oil is cleaner and purer it cleans all the crud out of your fuel system making frequent fuel filter changes necessary. I believe there is a prefilter you can fit from specialists to get round this problem.
