Quote:
Originally Posted by thecheese429
Advancing the timing is a way to eek out a little more efficiency. The problem is when you set it too far forward. Instead of pinging like a gas engine (well, it always pings but it would ping more) you would have a head gasket job in the near future.
One of the great things about a diesel engine is that you can run many many more alternative fuels than with a gas engine. A gas engine can run any fuel that readily vaporizes. A diesel engine can run any fuel that is somewhat lubricative and is not too thick to pump. IE, ATF, veggy, WMO, bio... you get the point. (see signature). Just, as you will read most places talking about it, filtration is the most important part. You could set up a simple series filter system or just jury rig one up to try the oil you get from your next oil change. With your arsenal of cars, you could cut your fuel usage quite dramatically just from oil changes 
However, the one thing I have noticed is that my diesel does NOT like to be operated cold, then shut down before getting warm. If I make a run that is that short, I take a gasser. |
I agree with all of that^
The good news about the smaller diesels like what they put in the tempo, is they generally tend to get up to temperature pretty quick thanks to their light weight and aluminum head. I've noticed that with our mitsubishi driven diesel ranger too. I was choked when I saw how quickly that thing warms up even in the winter compared to my truck LOL.
I try as much as possible to avoid driving my F250 for short trips where it barely can reach operating temperature. Long distance on the highway is where it wants to be.
I've ran up to 50% waste engine oil/used ATF in my truck once and it made for a noticeable improvement in power and low end torque. I didn't run it long enough to draw any solid conclusions on MPGs, but since the BTUs per gallon are higher, it stands to reason that it should go further on a single tank. It didn't have much tendency to smoke any worse either.
I was only using a 10 micron filter however, and wasn't comfortable running it for longer periods with such inadequate filtration. Most guys have multi-stage filtering that starts at 10, then ends at 1 micron. An inline magnet, and water separator are also recommended. I just never got around to making a proper system like that, and my pump was on warranty at the time so I didn't want to push my luck.