A number of aerosol analysis tools, including differential mobility analysis, total- and black-carbon mass measurement, photoelectron emission, and low-pressure impaction are applied to characterize particles in the exhaust of technical combustion systems burning liquid fuel. These are a spark-ignition engine, two diesel engines and an oil stove. Black-carbon fraction, volatile species and structure of agglomerates are investigated at different operating conditions. A very high mainly constant volatile fraction is found for the spark ignition engine. For the diesel engine, the volatile fraction is much lower and decreases significantly with increasing load. On the other hand, the black-carbon concentration increases with increasing load.