Dieselgas ( natural gas for diesel motors)

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by jaffles, Aug 18, 2026.

  1. jaffles

    jaffles Medium Load Member

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    Anyone ever driving a truck of had anything to do with trucks running natural gas as a addition fuel source.

    I read it can take the efficiency to almost 100%, make the engine cleaner, and improve running costs. Bit of a lost technology though.
     
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  3. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    There’s a corridor where NG is available at the fuel pump for trucks that use NG. I’ve only ever seen these pumps and trucks in Oklahoma & Texas..

    As far as I know, the trucks run only natural gas, not diesel and/or natural gas.
     
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  4. Big Road Skateboard

    Big Road Skateboard Road Train Member

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    I've messed with them way back. Very unimpressive then.

    I think the main draw was govt subsidies and tax break for a certain percentage of fleets being NG
     
  5. jaffles

    jaffles Medium Load Member

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    In the 4x4 world its marketed as more power. In the truck world, if there is one, by adding 15-20% gas to my 12.7 EU2 motor it heads towards EU4. So what you may say, but it also burns cleaner extending oil changes, takes economy from 5 to 7mpg, and starts to lower the cost of diesel for the year for overall running costs. Down hear gas is $1.15lt, Diesel $2.46lt, its not much but if the diesel can be off set by 20% it adds up over the life of the truck.

    Might all be hokus pokus too
     
  6. FLHT

    FLHT Road Train Member

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    Company I worked for CF had some city P&D units that were NG and Propane .
    They were very underpowered.
     
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  7. jaffles

    jaffles Medium Load Member

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    maybe to clarify, this is not straight NG pr Propane powered. Its diesel + gas. If the gas runs out the truck punches on via diesel. The gas is like an addition to enhance combustion and performance.
     
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  8. 25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Way back when, there was a way to add propane to the intake of a naturally aspirated diesel engine that cleared up smoke and added power. It was considered to be hard on the driveline b3cause horsepower and torque increased so much it could be felt, then it was enhanced by modulating and tapering the addition of the propane so it wasn't all or nothing. I've seen natural gas fitted to diesel powered trucks since then but it's not a common thing in the age of rentals and leased fleet trucks.
     
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  9. jaffles

    jaffles Medium Load Member

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    That's it, you hit the nail on the head. I've got myself a position of rebuilding this 12.7, so can add bits and bobs if needed. Piecing things together its currently 430hp and I was looking to increase it to 470, with a tune just because. However talking to a rebuilder it was motioned 450 from the DDEC II I have is a beaut upgrade that works really well. AI tells me if I stick with 430 for economy and gas it, 450 is the sweet spot though 470 is easily achievable. Then once upon a time looking at torque and HP for a new truck purchase, I figured 450 suited me over the 530 most opt for. They way it is I drive my 460 with more flow than most the 500+ plus guys I follow. The idea of gassing the diesel is for a 10 year savings, which looks to about 150K. Diesel is my biggest cost and why give it to a oil company if I don't have to.
     
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  10. RockinChair

    RockinChair Road Train Member

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    Guess who produces natural gas?

    There's a reason oil leases have three-phase separators: to separate the water, oil, and gas.

    I've seen propane injected as a power adder on high-performance 4x4 diesels, and natural gas is very similar to propane as far as the molecules are concerned. So if you want to go for it then go for it, but keep in mind that you will reduce your payload capacity by the weight of the system including the natgas that goes into the tank. And keep track of your numbers that way you'll know if you're actually coming out ahead or not.
     
    Last edited: Aug 20, 2026
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  11. jaffles

    jaffles Medium Load Member

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    Good point on the gas/oil company. der

    I've made it to first base. I have found a supplier that will supply 2 or 3 400lt bottles of LPG (propane) Autogas to my property. Its just like filling fork lifts however I fill a 200lt tank behind the cab. Google tells me that gas and tank would weigh 365 to 403Lb, so not worried about additional weight. Its hard to say what the numbers will be, if Diesel goes back to pre war its going to take most of the decade to break even. If they stay anywhere midway to where they are now its dusted in 1.5 to 2 years. Given Donny's was was meant to be a week and now its 6 months, I feel he has gotten the US has got into another endless war.

    The gas can increase economy by 2 mpg, and down hear its a good $1.30 per lt cheaper than diesel. Another possibility that appeals is it burns cleaner so oil changes and filters can be extended producing a saving not initially realized.
     
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