I have a Corona 23-DK kerosene heater. Can I use used motor oil instead of Kerosene for fuel?

 

I don't know for sure, but I'd say 'no'. Kerosene is a pretty light fuel. Used motor oil is thicker and doesn't fit thru small things, like nozzles. Even in waste oil heaters the used motor oil is usually heated to make it thinner and more free flowing.

 

What about a 50/50 mix of WMO & kerosene?

 

I don't know really. Try it and if it works, the answer is yes! Sorry, but I really have no idea.

 

Not worth crap.

Kerosene heaters are pretty picky about what they burn. Kerosene is light, super light, WMO isn't, and a 50/50 mix will just clog up the nozzle. They even get finicky burning straight #2 fuel.

If you were to mix it and heat it, it might work, but the drawback in the whole thing, is the fumes given off. Kerosene is really clean, where diesel and wmo give off a lot more smoke etc. This leads to headaches, need for better ventilation, and so on. Not worth it if you have to ventilate what you are trying to heat.

 

I was mixing a little bit of ATF in mine last winter. Worked fine. And I was burning diesel, not kerosene because it was 30 cents more a gallon....

I'll try some used motor oil (filtered of course) next time it gets cold in the garage. I beleive the heater I have (Salamander type) pressurizes the fuel going into the burner, and I did have to adjust it a bit to clean the smoke up with the atf/diesel mix at probably 80/20.

 

FWIW there are shop heaters that are designed to burn WMO. I think Northern Tool carries them. I've read of folks running gravity drip into their woodstoves, too.

I'd rather cut more wood, though. Less smelly.

 

Only if you keep 911 on speed dial............