Burning different types of oil

[woodjointer]

I just got 30 gallons of used deisel motor oil, rotella. It doesnt burn nearly as hot as the stuff i've been getting from my mechanic buddy. which would be a combination of everything that comes out of a car, I'm going to add a little kero to help it out. Has anyone else had this problem when using one typ of oil? and is there any typ that works best?

[Russ]

Hi Woodjointer,

I moved your topic on its own because it is a good question.

If you are getting transmission fluid mixed in with the oil, I wonder if that is maybe burning a little hotter?  I am guessing the rotella is the 15w-40 version which I wouldnt think is much different than any other motor oil, just a little heavier.  I would guess the other things mixed in with the stuff from your mechanic is what is raising the temp.

Anyone else have some ideas?

[snicks]

to tell you the truth 15-40 should burn about the same. But like Russ said there maybe other things mixed with that other oil your getting.

 You will get longer burn times out of havey oil compared to lighter oil.

My Burner dont seam to make a dif what I burn the temp is the same.

[woodjointer]

Thanks for the input guys!

[regan]

Straight rotella does burn like crap...I got 6 gallons last weekend from a buddy about the time my feed pot was empty, I dumped it straight in there and it reduced heat bigtime.  The only way I was able to recover the lost heat was to mix in a quart of diesel fuel to 3 gallons of rotella. 

[OILHEAT]

I end up with used hydraulic oil at times. Mixed with WMO, its a hot burning combo. I have just ran straight used hydro oil before and I had to really cut back on oil feed amount or my stove probably would have launched skyward out of the garage.....do to the heat!!!