• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Diesel distilled from used motor oil.


TDI Ranger

Member
Joined
Apr 19, 2020
Messages
70
Reaction score
87
Points
18
Location
Birmingham,AL
Vehicle Year
2003
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Since fuel prices are going crazy at the moment I decided to try an experiment. I did the Biodiesel thing years ago with great success, but when fuel prices went down I stopped. Now that is $5 a gallon again it's worth my time. I have a nearly unlimited supply of used motor oil. I cobbled a still together out of some junk I had around, just to see if I could break the gas and diesel from the oil.

The results are that it works. I was able to turn black used 25w40 into a mostly clear light oil with mostly the same viscosity and flammability as diesel. Out of 500ml in the reactor vessel I pulled roughly 200ml of diesel.
However.... The smell is so bad. I don't even know how to discribe it. It almost has the strength of skunk. It literally almost makes me sick. It is maybe like a sulfur, burning plastic, I don't even know what that lingers.
I just thought some of you would find this interesting. It's really too bad since I have so much of this oil. I just can't make the skunk diesel. It looks like I'll be going back to the Biodiesel route.
 

Attachments



DILLARD000

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2020
Messages
877
Reaction score
652
Points
93
Location
Earth
Vehicle Year
2001 Ford
Make / Model
SportTracJob2
Engine Size
V6~4.0L~SOHC
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Guess you're learning why Oil+Chemical Refineries stink so badly.
Refineries also tend to catch fire & blow up; so be careful.
 

sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
TRS Forum Moderator
U.S. Military - Active
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Ham Radio Operator
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
12,631
Reaction score
12,280
Points
113
Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
It might be better to go back to bio fuel. It's a known process and quantity of production for you. Save the used oil for some sort of oil burning device like a furnace.
 

4x4prepper

Active Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2015
Messages
507
Reaction score
215
Points
43
Location
Atlanta
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
Are you infusing the oil with butane (the blue canister)?
 

Fast Eddie

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Oct 22, 2020
Messages
1,908
Reaction score
2,654
Points
113
Location
On The Road
Vehicle Year
2004
Make / Model
Ranger Edge
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
2x4 on 4x4 Factory Chassis
Tire Size
235/75/15
Why does Foggy Mountain Breakdown come to mind here?
 

09fx4guy

Active Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2010
Messages
409
Reaction score
176
Points
43
Location
USA
Vehicle Year
2009
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre Key w/ #1 Bars
Tire Size
265/70R16
Good lord, please go back to biofuel. I bet that a shop that has a waste oil furnace would pay you a nominal sum for the used motor oil. The damage you could do to yourself from a fire or explosion would greatly outweigh the benefits of cheaper diesel.
 

JohnnyO

Moderator Emeritus
Supporting Member
Forum Staff - Retired
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Jan 6, 2002
Messages
6,308
Reaction score
2,798
Points
113
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Vehicle Year
2020
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
1.5"
Tire Size
265/70-17
My credo
"220, 221, whatever it takes."
@bobbywalter runs his diesel Ranger on all sorts of junk. I tagged him, he may be able to help.

 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Today's birthdays

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top