Is engine oil flammable? - SV650.org

20-04-12, 01:58 PM

If someone asked you this, what would you say?

Someone in the office asked this today. I immediately said no.

Googel was then consulted and we found a flashpoint figure of 400-480F.

So does this mean it is technically flammable?

maviczap · 20-04-12, 02:01 PM

you can burn it in a special oil heater I think.

An old motorcycle garage used to have one in their workshop to heat it in the winter using old engine oil

I reckon my diesel would run on it as well

Bibio · 20-04-12, 02:08 PM

eeerrrrmmm did you not watch the gulf wars.....

maviczap · 20-04-12, 02:27 PM

He's too young to remember that

20-04-12, 02:53 PM

Old farts

punyXpress · 20-04-12, 02:55 PM

There've been cases ( ? Berlin ? ) where turbo seals have blown & engines have run away because of oil being leaked into the diesel engine. Cut the fuel off & engine oil becomes the fuel!
Which is a worry

Nobbylad · 20-04-12, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bibio

eeerrrrmmm did you not watch the gulf wars.....

Wow...I never realised that Iraq stored huge quantities of used engine oil underground...I always thought it was naturally occurring crude oil

johnnyrod · 20-04-12, 03:00 PM

Yes oil burns, but it needs some persuasion. Flash point is the temperature above which it will burn, once ignited. It's not the temperature it ignites by itself - that's the auto-ingition temperature and will be much higher. Anyway normally flammable means flash point near or below room temperature e.g. petrol, solvents. For diesel it's about 100C i.e. putting a match to it will put the match out if you are below 100C, but it still gets labelled as flammable, I think that's more to do with fuel regs than anything (not sure).

20-04-12, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by punyXpress

There've been cases ( ? Berlin ? ) where turbo seals have blown & engines have run away because of oil being leaked into the diesel engine. Cut the fuel off & engine oil becomes the fuel!
Which is a worry

Happens a lot in buses and trucks. Volvos can be prone to it. Sometimes can happen if you only just change turbo. All previous past oil is trapped in intercooler waiting to attack! When it happens its spectacular.lol

johnnyrod · 20-04-12, 03:02 PM

Turbos are HOT!

20-04-12, 01:58 PM	#1
hongman Guest Posts: n/a	Is engine oil flammable? If someone asked you this, what would you say? Someone in the office asked this today. I immediately said no. Googel was then consulted and we found a flashpoint figure of 400-480F. So does this mean it is technically flammable?

20-04-12, 02:01 PM	#2
maviczap Member Mega Poster Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 9,097	Re: Is engine oil flammable you can burn it in a special oil heater I think. An old motorcycle garage used to have one in their workshop to heat it in the winter using old engine oil I reckon my diesel would run on it as well __________________ We're riding out tonight to case the promised land Make everyday count RIP Reeder - Jolly Green Giant and comedy genius

20-04-12, 02:08 PM	#3
Bibio Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: here as devil's advocate Posts: 11,569	Re: Is engine oil flammable eeerrrrmmm did you not watch the gulf wars.....

20-04-12, 02:27 PM	#4
maviczap Member Mega Poster Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 9,097	Re: Is engine oil flammable He's too young to remember that __________________ We're riding out tonight to case the promised land Make everyday count RIP Reeder - Jolly Green Giant and comedy genius

20-04-12, 02:53 PM	#5
hongman Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Is engine oil flammable Old farts

20-04-12, 02:55 PM	#6
punyXpress Member Mega Poster Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Riding, North Posts: 2,664	Re: Is engine oil flammable There've been cases ( ? Berlin ? ) where turbo seals have blown & engines have run away because of oil being leaked into the diesel engine. Cut the fuel off & engine oil becomes the fuel! Which is a worry __________________ Was: K2 naked in rapid yellow - gone to a better? place Now: Street Triple R

20-04-12, 03:00 PM	#8
johnnyrod Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Doncaster, oop norf Posts: 2,128	Re: Is engine oil flammable Yes oil burns, but it needs some persuasion. Flash point is the temperature above which it will burn, once ignited. It's not the temperature it ignites by itself - that's the auto-ingition temperature and will be much higher. Anyway normally flammable means flash point near or below room temperature e.g. petrol, solvents. For diesel it's about 100C i.e. putting a match to it will put the match out if you are below 100C, but it still gets labelled as flammable, I think that's more to do with fuel regs than anything (not sure).

20-04-12, 03:02 PM	#10
johnnyrod Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Doncaster, oop norf Posts: 2,128	Re: Is engine oil flammable Turbos are HOT!

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