Diesel in oil?

[Spetz]

I've just cleaned out my lifters in diesel and reinstalled them into the motor.

Will this little bit of diesel do any harm?

Additionally, can I put a bit of diesel in the oil and drive for a while to clean the motor out? I am planning an oil change next weekend

 

[Shannow]

I've used kerosene and diesel as a flush before, idle, 20 minutes, that's it.

A couple of percent fuel in oil is a big issue in the longer term, and where your week and percentage change could be is somewhere in the grey middle that probably shouldn't be explored.

 

[Olas]

Its certainly not ideal in the long term, but a short time at operating temp should be sufficient to evaporate that fuel.
FYI, its good practice to let lifters soak in oil overnight to help them 'charge' and adjust quicker once they're in the engine

 

[Dufus2]

If you are wanting an engine flush, why not use MMO or a dedicated flush product? Diesel does break down varnish and other crud, but do not drive the vehicle while flushing. Its typical for diesel engines to accumulate 5% fuel in oil, excessive amounts thin the oil leading to wear.

 

[hatt]

Originally Posted By: Shannow
I've used kerosene and diesel as a flush before, idle, 20 minutes, that's it.

A couple of percent fuel in oil is a big issue in the longer term, and where your week and percentage change could be is somewhere in the grey middle that probably shouldn't be explored.
I bet 50/50 diesel/TGMO would get to the entire engine instantly.

 

[Trav]

The little bit in the lifter is no big deal but i wouldn't add diesel or kerosene in any significant amount like half a qt or more and drive it.

 

[abycat]

I'd rinse the parts in gas then let it evaporate then install them. No worries then.

 

[timeau]

Originally Posted By: Spetz
I've just cleaned out my lifters in diesel and reinstalled them into the motor.
Will this little bit of diesel do any harm?

No, it will not. Moreover, it will clean your engine inside.

Originally Posted By: Spetz
Additionally, can I put a bit of diesel in the oil and drive for a while to clean the motor out?

Diesel fuel is pretty tough. If you add diesel fuel into the oil and idle it for some time (5-10 minutes, 15-20% concentration of diesel fuel), this is fine. But I would not recommend to drive on this mixture.
Kerosine is more "soft", so it is preferable from flushing point of view. In 90th I used a 33% of kerosine with 66% of oil mixture on my Lada without any problems.

 

[timeau]

Originally Posted By: hatt
I bet 50/50 diesel/TGMO would get to the entire engine instantly.

This is pretty severe. Also TGMO is too thing for this "cocktail".

 

[jrmason]

ATF is probably a safer route than fuel in the crank case. It has excellent detergents that will clean an engine out. Sludge used to be a common issue in engines but with the advancements of engine oil I don't believe it's nearly as common anymore, so long as you use an oil that meets your engines requirements.

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: jrmason
ATF is probably a safer route than fuel in the crank case. It has excellent detergents that will clean an engine out. Sludge used to be a common issue in engines but with the advancements of engine oil I don't believe it's nearly as common anymore, so long as you use an oil that meets your engines requirements.



Really

Do tell. What "excellent" detergents are in tranny fluid exactly? And if they are so "excellent" why don't formulators add these detergents to formulated motor oil?



I can't believe this absurdity gets posted here time and time again even though experts have answered those previous threads saying the exact opposite.
So inform us. What detergents are in tranny fluid.

 

[Ken2]

No and No. That very small amount of diesel fuel from the lifters won't matter. And, no don't add diesel to clean your crankcase. Diesel is a poor solvent. Kerosine is much better, and don't use that, either. You don't need anything unless your engine was sludged from some failure, and then just normally hot engine oil will do as good a job as about anything. You do not want to thin the oil with a solvent. If you actually have a need for something to clean the crankcase, post on the oil additives section.

ATF has no detergents. It doesn't need any. A transmission doesn't get dirty from combustion gases like a crankcase does. Don't put ATF into your engine, either.
http://www.lubrizol.com/DrivelineAdditives/AutomaticTransmissionFluidAdditives/default.html

 

[timeau]

Originally Posted By: Ken2
Diesel is a poor solvent. Kerosine is much better, and don't use that, either.

Just curios, in which comics book did you read that? From a top of my head I can't remember better solvent than diesel fuel is. May be acetone, but I am not sure. Kerosine is much more delicate.
Another question. My opinion about usage of diesel fuel and kerosine I got from my own practice. What are your recommendations are based on? Especially if your are so insisting...

 

[splinter]

Originally Posted By: Spetz
I've just cleaned out my lifters...


What operating conditions, OCIs and lubricant(s) initially prompted the need to clean your lifters?