Can You Use Heating Oil in a Diesel Engine? (Answered)

Heating oil is mainly for the warm weather. But it’s not compatible with modern vehicles. Since your car may have a different engine than the others, you must know your engine guidelines before heating oil.

There are some precautions to using such oil. Especially in cold weather, the heating oil becomes gel and sticky. Therefore, it becomes a real challenge to start the engine. Other than that, it might be an economical choice.

What oil is used for home heating?

Kerosene or home heating oil is used for home heating. You can buy the 28-second oil and use it on your home heating system. It will produce good heat and will burn efficiently.

If you want to have a budget-friendly home heating oil, you can go for kerosene. It will be your best home heating oil among the other options. Among them, you should never use diesel for your home heating.

Can you use heating oil in a diesel engine?

You can use heating oil in a diesel engine, although it’s not a legal practice. You cannot burn the heating oil in your diesel engine as per the state’s law. It’s against the law; however, heating oil is cheaper than diesel and more effective. But you cannot use it in cold weather.

You may have heard the name of home heating oil that people mostly use in heating the home. And you may wonder if you can use them all in your diesel engine.

Home heating oil to run a diesel generator:

You can use the home heating oil to run a diesel generator as it will work as a fuel.

It will not damage the generator; instead, it produces enough power by burning. But it will create issues if you use it in cold weather and it turns into a gel.

If you want to be in a safe zone, you must read the diesel generator manual and get the manufacturer’s instructions.

Heating oil in a diesel tractor:

You can also use the heating oil in a diesel tractor. It will be safe but unsuitable for the environment because when you use it in your tractor, it will create unusual smoke.

So, you should avoid using the heating oil in your diesel tractor. Otherwise, you will unintentionally harm the environment to a great extent.

Heating oil to run my diesel car:

You can use the heating oil to run your diesel car. It will not be an issue unless you use it in cold weather.

The heating oil turns into a gel and will stick to the engine in the cold. That’s why it’s not a safe practice to use in running your diesel car.

Why shouldn’t you use heating oil in a diesel engine?

You should not use heating oil in a diesel engine for three reasons. Apart from that, the heating oil is not suitable for the environment. That would be another added reason behind it.

Sulfurous Acid:

You may wonder to know that the sulfurous acid is not compatible with the diesel engine.

It is harmful to engine health in many ways. If you put the heating oil into your diesel engine, it will take it and create the acid while using it to produce the power.

That acid will damage the internal metal of the diesel engine. Moreover, it will also create the inside smoke to damage the other parts.

Damage Pumps:

You should not use the heating oil in your diesel engine because it will damage the pumps of the fuel system.

Once you put the heating oil, it will go through different engine parts. When the engine starts burning the fuel, it will eventually damage the pumps.

Non-Starting Engine:

You shouldn’t use heating oil in winter because the oil may turn into a gel and will stick to the engine firmly.

As a result, the diesel engine won’t start. You must deeply clean the engine by spending some hundreds of bucks. So, a non-starting engine might be another reason here.

Will home heating oil damage a diesel engine?

Home heating oil will damage a diesel engine. It may contain an excessive amount of sulfur, which can cause pollution control technology in current road diesel engines to malfunction quickly.

It is not a good idea to use heating oil instead of diesel. You don’t just play about it. It can also cause significant and expensive damage to the engine, its attachments, and other components.

It is technically feasible to drive a car while using heating oil, but it is not recommended.

The lubricating characteristics of home heating oil are insufficient for the operation of automobile engines.

Is home heating oil the same as diesel?

Home heating oil is not the same as diesel, although made from the same component.

In contrast to diesel fuel, the heating oils you use in your home have a heavier chemical composition.

Despite being utilized for two very distinct reasons, they have practically comparable heat-giving qualities to one another.

In contrast, whereas diesel fuel is relatively consistent throughout areas and seasons, home heating fuel might differ from one season, especially during the winter.

The distillation technique is used to create diesel. As a result, it does not evaporate as quickly or become as volatile as gasoline. It requires less refining to produce, making diesel less expensive than gasoline.

What is the difference between heating oil and diesel?

You will find several differences between heating oil and diesel. These differences will tell you why you cannot use heating oil instead of diesel.

Compatibility:

Although you can alter the heating oil with diesel, some engines won’t allow you to do so.

Here the main difference is the compatibility. The diesel is compatible with most engines, whereas the heating oil is only for a few instructed engines.

Power Difference:

Another big difference between these two oils is the power. Heating oil produces far more power than diesel. Sometimes it produces a huge power that you cannot even think of from the diesel. 

Cost Variance:

The cost is the most significant difference between heating oil and diesel. Heating oil is cheaper than diesel because of the tax rate.

Usually, the heating oil comes with no tax; therefore, it is not allowed to be used in the car or truck. But the diesel comes with a tax.

Is heating oil cheaper than diesel?

Heating oil is cheaper than diesel. Although both are almost the same things, people usually pay more for diesel than for heating oil because it has all the taxes that go with driving on the road, so it costs more.

Heating oil can give your home more heat while using less fuel than diesel. It is also another way to save your money and become cheaper than diesel.

Also, diesel is more expensive because of fluctuations in demand. Heating oil is created from the same essential components as diesel fuel, which is why it is utilized for home heating purposes. Demand for heating oil directly impacts diesel costs as a result of this.

Can I mix diesel with heating oil?

You can mix diesel with heating oil. You can fill your oil tank with diesel fuel or mix both. These two fuels may be utilized in your furnace with relative ease and performance and, if not better than any heating oil currently available.

Heating oil is initially the same as diesel fuel, which is why this is acceptable. It is prohibited to use heating oil in diesel vehicles; thus, it is dyed a distinctive color, often red, to distinguish it from other oils.

It is not because of any dangers or risks, but instead because heating oil does not need payment of road fees, which are otherwise required. As a result, if you prefer to use diesel or in conjunction with heating oil, you can.

Can you use diesel as home heating oil?

You can use diesel as home heating oil. Diesel is available at many gas stations and is a suitable substitute for home heating oil in practically all furnaces.

When it comes to home heating oil substitutes, diesel is near enough to the original that you can use it safely. Both heating oil and diesel generate nearly the same quantity of heat, and both fuels can be used in the same systems.

Even while diesel is safe and useful as a temporary heating oil substitute, it is not intended to be stored in your tank for an extended period. Diesel fuel is an excellent alternative when you’re in a hurry, but it is ineffective and not recommended for long-term heating.

Final thoughts

Although you can use the heating oil in a diesel engine, it will destroy the engine surface, quality, and working capacity. Also, heating oil is not suitable for most vehicles’ engines since it creates environmental issues. You may even get fined for using the heating oil.