I recently purchased my first diesel truck and was wondering if I could use Jet Fuel in place of diesel fuel. I heard it was good for cleaning the injectors and was equivalent to a high grade diesel. I just want to use it every six months or so or when it is cold outside.

 

Welcome to Ford Truck Enthusiasts blueheal.

There are plenty of addatives available for our diesels that lower the cloud point and clean the injectors without sacrificing the lubrication properties that keep our injectors and IP's running smooth and quiet.

Jet fuel is not a high grade diesel, it's a high grade kerosene. Makes a good solvent, but power and performance will suffer.

 

The Marines, maybe all the military, use jet fuel in their various diesel engines nowadays without any modifications. They are trying to go to a single fuel for all equipment. I am no mechanic, but I've heard that they are similar in some respects. I think I've heard that the fuel filter has to be changed more often, but I am not sure.


Here is a link talking about the military's Single Fuel Concept.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/2005/050300-concept.htm

 

There is a method to using jet fuel (JP-8) in diesel engines. It involves adding oil to the fuel, although I'm not sure of the ratio. I'm on the jet engine mechanic side of things. If I remember correctly what I was told, the jet fuel tends to wash down the cylinder walls depriving the rings of proper lubrication.
I don't know if it matters as much, but on the C-130 aircraft, the engine start temperatures are considered good if it reaches 820 degrees celsius and are limited to max out at 1070 degrees celsius. I'm not saying you would encounter that in a diesel engine, but just think if you did.....

 

Right on the money Scott! Kerosene has very little lubrication value, It will EAT up IP's and injectors. I've worked on Army multifuel engines, they are completely different than the diesels we drive. FABMANDELUX

 

you cannot compare the military diesel engine to yours. they are very different. you need to run regular diesel.