Practically Classics Forum

I changed the gearbox oil on one of the tractors the other day and, as I always do, took it to the local recycling place. As usual, there was no problems getting rid of the four gallons, but it made me wonder. In the old days, waste oil was recycled and, allegedly, Duckhams used it in their engine oil (just as an example!). That would be fine twenty years ago, when most oil was mineral, but what happens when people like me recycle their waste mineral oil and, a few weeks later, change the oil on the modern and put synthetic in the same recycling tank?

OK, I know a lot of clever chemistry is done to make the oil usable, but the likes of my old tractors certainly don't like synthetic stuff (and at £100+ for 25l needed for the hydraulics/gearbox you can understand why I don't like it either!) and I would expect that many older classics won't get on too well with synthetic either.

Looking at the oil that came out of the tractor, I would almost suggest it could have gone down the drain - it was rather white and the metal filter gauze had a "cottage cheese" covering! I have two engine oil changes to do soon - they will produce 3 gallons or so of very black stuff!

I don't know what the council do but my "waste" oil goes in to a neighbours oil burner in his garage. Much more convenient than taking it 20 miles to the tip.

Last time I went with 4 gallons of oil to the dump, two of them got grabbed by a geezer dumping wood offcuts who wanted it for preserving fence posts.
Saved me a trip down the other end of the yard.

I have put small amounts onto a coal fire before now: Not recommended as it gets a bit lively, but in my defence it was a cold house

SirTainleyBarking wrote:I have put small amounts onto a coal fire before now

I would obviously never recommend using red diesel for getting a coal fire going quickly but it does work well.

It probably goes into making plastics.

SirTainleyBarking wrote:Last time I went with 4 gallons of oil to the dump, two of them got grabbed by a geezer dumping wood offcuts who wanted it for preserving fence posts.

Which is highly illegal - engine oil is toxic, and painting it on fence posts chucks it straight back in the environment. No offence, but if someone approached me with that intent he'd get a lecture and find himself reported if possible.....

It's not actually that good as a wood preservative either....

Most auto parts stores will take used motor oil here. Some have heaters and others will send it away. As they offer the service for free, I suspect that they get paid for it.
More recently, a guy I know with a fleet of old Mercedes Benz diesels has been taking my oil. He mixes a couple of gallons in with every full tank and runs it through his engine. He says that he's been doing it for years and it doesn't hurt anything.

that is a common trick over here to disguise that you are running on red diesel.

My dad used to work at a VW/MAN truck dealership/workshop and they used to filter it and use it to power the building's heating system. Free heat all winter - lovely

TerryG wrote:that is a common trick over here to disguise that you are running on red diesel.

Really? Thanks Terry.