Originally Posted By: supton
I think some of the heavy-duty diesel motors do use engine oil on the injectors. My light duty diesel does have cam-actuated injectors (electronically controlled--but the cam pushes the high pressure bit). [Thankfully, it's the exhaust lobes that wear out, not the cam lobe--thanks VW!]
Automakers do put a lot of work into their end of the deal these days. But I'm not convinced they are the know-all. "Lifetime" ATF? Brought to you by the same people who keep putting failmatics into minivans? I still think they have an incentive for shorter-lived cars. But these days, it's not the engine lower end giving out, it's everything else on the car. I think that, for most vehicles, it's getting to the point of being able to run almost anything, for almost any length of time, in the sump. [What is that some VW's run in Europe? 30k/2year, if they have an oil monitor?]
Anyhow... I like quote in the article about "dirty" oil. He'd flip his nut if looked at my oil. It's as black as night, and it'll be that way 10 miles after an oil change. [I think it does that as I pour it in, actually.] Does that mean it's worthless? I hardly think so. Looks are deceiving. Back in the day, yes, that could mean the oil was on its way out. Different days though today.
Newer computer controlled, complicated diesels won't, but an older, mechanical injection diesel is capable of running on waste oil.
You likely won't be able to start it, or run a 100% mixture, but waste oil will ignite if compressed and exposed to the heat in the combustion chamber. They smoke.
A lot of diesel engines have met their fate when the turbo seals went and they started sucking in diesel. Very common for older detroits.
