Lister Engine Forum

Alternative fuels => Other Fuels => Topic started by: Combustor on January 19, 2010, 01:44:07 PM

Title: Transformer oil as fuel.
Post by: Combustor on January 19, 2010, 01:44:07 PM
          Hello from Australia,
                                     I have access to a quantity of transformer oil, not the old PCB stuff, and tried some in my 8/1 recently.It started from cold (30c) and
ran fine, burnt clean and delivered full power. Are there any longterm problems with pumps, injectors etc? My supplier has been told it's a veg based oil, but it is
very thin and only thickens slightly in the freezer overnight unlike most veg oils. It does begin to feel slightly tacky when it has been on the skin for a while.
         I am tempted to try it in my vehicle which is a normally aspirated precombustion (glowplug) motor. Anyone tried this with good results or otherwise?
                                                                                                                                       Any advice will be welcome,    Regards,   Combustor.
Title: Re: Transformer oil as fuel.
Post by: mike90045 on January 19, 2010, 04:18:25 PM
Wow. If it does not have PCB's and burns OK, it sounds like a winner.

 Maybe try a quick lube test on it, get a 3 like bearings, wash all grease out of them, chuck one in a vice and spin it with a heavy heavy load, you want it to size and gall.  give it a while and time it.   Next bearing, lube it with your transformer oil, see if it lasts longer, 3rd, lube with pump diesel, see how long it lasts.  transformer oils are purified to take long term high temps and not attract moisture. Lube qualities are unknown, but likely still present.
Title: Re: Transformer oil as fuel.
Post by: Tom on January 19, 2010, 08:07:22 PM
It's amazing the sources of fuel we can find for these engines. I've been running used hydraulic oil in mine thinned with 10% RUG. I'd suggest pulling the injector and examining the tip for deposits. That is what seems to occur with the mix I'm using.
Title: Re: Transformer oil as fuel.
Post by: rcavictim on January 22, 2010, 11:55:47 AM
I have burnt straight Voltesso35 transformer oil straight in my 1.5 L VW idi diesel engine generator and also in a JD175A where the engine and fuel tank was sitting in summer temperatures (no deliberate injector heat) with absolutely no negative issues. I would not hesitate to mix it with pump diesel to make it thinner for use in colder temps.