Which Diesel Fuel Alternative Brand Wins?
This head-to-head test of 5 diesel fuel alternative options has the measured results for each. See how they ranked and watch the full test video.
diesel summer grade (control)
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The measured results
Every number below is read straight from the test. Products are listed in the order they finished.
Engine Run Test
- 1diesel summer grade (control)
used as the baseline fuel; engine ran normally
- 2biodiesel homemade, from vegetable oil, methanol, and potassium hydroxide
ran the engine well; exhaust smoke had a noticeably better smell than diesel exhaust
- 3vegetable oil straight, unmodified
ran the engine well, described as running just as good as on diesel and biodiesel, with great throttle response
- 4hydro diesel emulsified water/diesel blend, sent by a viewer (Matt, Warped Perception YouTube channel)
the only fuel the engine struggled with, producing quite a bit more smoke than diesel or biodiesel; running the engine on plain diesel afterward was needed to clear the smoke
- 5used motor oil old 5W-30 (~4,000 miles of use), cut 1 part gasoline to 10 parts oil
ran the engine surprisingly well, much better than the host expected, with great throttle response and only a light smoky haze
Lubricity Test
- 1diesel summer grade (control)425 W
friction reading, the worst (highest friction/largest wear scar) of all five fuels tested; used as the baseline for the wear-scar percentage comparisons
- 2biodiesel homemade, from vegetable oil, methanol, and potassium hydroxidearound405 W
friction reading, with a wear scar 21% smaller than diesel, the best result of the diesel/hydro diesel/biodiesel trio, though still worse overall than vegetable oil and used motor oil
- 3vegetable oil straight, unmodified365 W
friction reading, the lowest (best/least friction) of all five fuels tested; vegetable oil and used motor oil together provided better film strength than diesel, hydro diesel, and biodiesel
- 4hydro diesel emulsified water/diesel blend, sent by a viewer (Matt, Warped Perception YouTube channel)around410 W
friction reading, with a wear scar about 5% smaller than diesel
- 5used motor oil old 5W-30 (~4,000 miles of use), cut 1 part gasoline to 10 parts oilaround370 W
friction reading, close to vegetable oil; together with vegetable oil, provided the best film strength of all five fuels tested
Corrosion Resistance Test
- 1diesel summer grade (control)
rust level very close to the uncoated control sample, one of the two worst results (with biodiesel) for corrosion resistance
- 2biodiesel homemade, from vegetable oil, methanol, and potassium hydroxide
rust level very close to the control sample, one of the two worst results (with diesel) for corrosion resistance
- 3vegetable oil straight, unmodified
third best (of five) for corrosion resistance
- 4hydro diesel emulsified water/diesel blend, sent by a viewer (Matt, Warped Perception YouTube channel)
the BEST (least rust) of all five fuels tested, which the host said surprised him
- 5used motor oil old 5W-30 (~4,000 miles of use), cut 1 part gasoline to 10 parts oil
second best (of five) for corrosion resistance, behind hydro diesel
Cold Temperature Test
- 1diesel summer grade (control)
just about reached its cloud point in the 0 F freezer test (did not fully gel/freeze)
- 2biodiesel homemade, from vegetable oil, methanol, and potassium hydroxide
gelled in the 0 F freezer test
- 3vegetable oil straight, unmodified
froze solid in the 0 F freezer test, the only fuel of the five to fully freeze; host notes it needs to be heated for use in sub-freezing temperatures
- 4hydro diesel emulsified water/diesel blend, sent by a viewer (Matt, Warped Perception YouTube channel)
did not freeze in the 0 F freezer test, the best cold-weather result of the five fuels
- 5used motor oil old 5W-30 (~4,000 miles of use), cut 1 part gasoline to 10 parts oilnot tested
All measurements (1 more)+
Manufacturer Claims
- 4hydro diesel emulsified water/diesel blend, sent by a viewer (Matt, Warped Perception YouTube channel)
claimed to burn cleaner and offer better fuel efficiency via a stable water-in-diesel emulsion
- 1diesel summer grade (control)not tested
- 2biodiesel homemade, from vegetable oil, methanol, and potassium hydroxidenot tested
- 3vegetable oil straight, unmodifiednot tested
- 5used motor oil old 5W-30 (~4,000 miles of use), cut 1 part gasoline to 10 parts oilnot tested
How it was tested
- engine run test on each fuel type
- lubricity / film strength wear-scar test
- cold temperature freeze/gel test (~0 F)
- corrosion resistance test (hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, and salt exposure)
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