Using Other Fuels in a Ram Diesel
For the "inline" P7100 pump ('94 to 98.5 12 Valve engines). P7100 pumps are internally lubricated by engine oil.
These fuels are "OK": #1 & #2 Diesel, 1K & 2K Kerosene, Jet-A, Jet A-1, JP-5, and JP-8.
NOT OK under any circumstances: Jet-B, JP-4, and Cite
The "rotary" VE pump (pre '94) and electronic VP-44 (98.5+ 24 valve) VE and VP-44 pumps are fuel lubricated.
#1-D Diesel or #2 Fuel Oil (diesel) only
Alternate fuels listed for the P7100 pump may be used in the VE pump if if 5% lube oil is added.
The P7100 inline pump is internally lubricated by engine oil, while the VE and VP-44 pumps are fuel lubricated. The "lighter" fuels, such as Kerosene, Jet-A, and JP-5/8, don't lubricate enough.
Note: there have been some reports of sticking plungers in some early P7100 pumps. There are many commercial fuel additives which contain a pump lube - to avoid plunger trouble, consider using an additive when the engine is running on an alternate fuel.
Fuel Tidbits from the Bradley Bits - a news bulletin for Bradley Fighting Vehicles
JET A-1 fuel is essentially identical to JP-8 except it does not have three additives required in JP-8: a fuel system icing inhibitor, a corrosion inhibitor, and a static dissipater additive. Hot JP-8 fuel reduces the life of fuel pumps on some diesel engines, so avoid using JP-8 or Jet A-1 extensively in hot heather, and keep the fuel tank as full as possible to reduce fuel temperature.
Diesel fuel #2 and water separate completely; JP-8 fuel and water do not. JP-8 becomes cloudy when contaminated with water; and the cloudier the fuel, the more severe the contamination. The Ram fuel/water separator will not be able to remove suspended water from JP-8 or Jet A-1.
Some Questions answered by Josh Berman of Cummins:
> Dodge says to run #2 diesel under most conditions. In "arctic" conditions (<10 °F), others
> recommend 50% #2, and 50% K1 OR #1 diesel. Is the 1st statement true? I know the second
> is because its in the owners & service manuals.
Blending is better than running on fully on #1 or K1, because it will keep your power output closer to that of running on #2 Diesel.
> What if any problems will be caused by extended operation on other than #2
> diesel? I'm more concerned about short duration needs... ie out in a rural
> area and unable to find diesel, but can find a K1 pump.
If you have a '94 to '98.5 12 Valve truck, then you should have no problems running a tank of K1 (2K Kerosene, Jet-A, Jet A-1, JP-5, or JP-8) through your truck. You might find that it performs differently (ie: #1 Diesel gives lower power than #2 Diesel), but it should not cause any damage to your engine. (Note: Jet-B, JP-4, and Gasoline are NOT to be used in any models. Dave)
However, if you have a 1989 to 1993 Ram or a 1998 and up 24 valve engine, then we DO NOT recommend using any fuel other than #1 or #2 Diesel. In an emergency, you can use 1K or 2K Kerosene, Jet-A, Jet A-1, JP-5, or JP-8 ONLY IF YOU BLEND 5% NEW LUBE OIL with the fuels (ie: 20 gallon fill-up, add 1 gallon new lube oil). Adding the lube oil is VERY IMPORTANT, as running on the lighter fuels without additional lubrication will cause excessive wear in your fuel pump, which is not a warrantable repair.
CAUTION: Running fuel other than #1 or #2 diesel w/5% lube oil should only be done if there is ABSOLUTELY NO OTHER CHOICE. Fuel pump damage due to inadequate fuel lubrication IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, we don't recommend "lighter fuels + 5% lube oil" unless you're in a really desperate situation.