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Diesel vs. kerosene

Joe Nardy

Joe Nardy

Forum Sage
Past Site Supporter
TGSR Superstar
Lots of folks here use kerosene to flush their forks. I haven't been able to find kerosene in anything smaller than five gallons. Isn't diesel fuel basically the same thing? Would there be any harm in using diesel fuel to flush my forks?

Thanks,
Joe
 
Re: Diesel vs. kerosene

As far as I know Joe, diesel isnt anything more than kerosene with some engine additives. I see no problem using diesel to flush forks. I usually pick up a quart can of mineral spirits from Home Depot to rinse out the forks.
I've not had any problems due to using spirits.

Earl

Joe Nardy said:
Lots of folks here use kerosene to flush their forks. I haven't been able to find kerosene in anything smaller than five gallons. Isn't diesel fuel basically the same thing? Would there be any harm in using diesel fuel to flush my forks?

Thanks,
Joe
Click to expand...
 
Kerosene is probably ideal. It should be widely available in one gallon jugs. It's flashpoint is much higher than coleman fuel, and almost certainly higher than mineral spirits (paint thinner). Still, try to use it in a well-ventilated place away from sources of ignition.
 
Poot said:
would ATF work well to flush out the forks?
Click to expand...

The ideal substance works well as a solvent/carrier for the stuff you're getting rid of, then is volatile enough to evaporate/boil off and so leave little of itself to mix with the new fork oil.
 
I don't think diesel and kerosene are close enough to work. We used to use diesel oil to put out cigarette butts, so I don't think it is that volatile. I wouldn't want to try that with kerosene.
 
I used a special blend of Hexane, Isopropyl alcohol, and Methanol.
it dissolves the gunk and leaves everything nice, clean and residue free.
it is also extremely flammable so you have to keep it far away from sparks and open flames.
 
Kerosene vs diesel

Kerosene vs diesel

Here in Oklahoma kerosene is sometimes sold as Premium Grade Diesel at some stations. K is considered cleaner and of course, more expensive.
 
I used contact brake cleaner in a spray can , it worked great and dried out fairly fast enabling me to put the forks back together soon.

Scud
 
Mastiff said:
I don't think diesel and kerosene are close enough to work. We used to use diesel oil to put out cigarette butts, so I don't think it is that volatile. I wouldn't want to try that with kerosene.
Click to expand...
They both need an open flame to burn, that's one of the reasons kerosine is recomended for cleaning.
 
focus frenzy said:
I used a special blend of Hexane, Isopropyl alcohol, and Methanol.
it dissolves the gunk and leaves everything nice, clean and residue free.
it is also extremely flammable so you have to keep it far away from sparks and open flames.
Click to expand...
Sometimes you can get things too clean. Metal has pores that absorb oil. If you remove all of the oil from these pores it is best to then immerse the part in hot oil to again fill the pores before using.

This is one of the reasons gasoline should not be used to clean parts. Aside from the fact that it's dangerous, it removes residual oil from the porous metal.

I'm assuming, of course, that the part will be used in oil for friction reduction.
 
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