vegetable oil to diesel conversion

[GaryC 7]

My dad has a diesel truck and wants to know how to convert it to run on vegetable oil. He has a ready supply of used oil, he runs a recyling route for his county, and asked me to find some information. Any how to's you can send me?

[Heracles 417]

http://www.greasecar.com/

I was thinking of using this myself.

Edited April 8, 2008 by Boo-Yah!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'll see if I can find something. From what I understand, he'll need to replace some of the hoses.

Can I use Biodiesel in my existing diesel engine?

Biodiesel can be operated in any diesel engine with little or no

modification to the engine or the fuel system. Biodiesel has a

solvent effect that may release deposits accumulated on tank

walls and pipes from previous diesel fuel storage. The release of

deposits may clog filters initially and filters should be checked

following the first use of Biodiesel in an older vehicle. The rare

vehicles that was built before 1985 with natural rubber seals and

hoses have yet to be replaced may experience some degradation,

the hoses and seals should be checked from time to time.

http://marcussharpe.com/biodiesel.shtml

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

http://www.greasecar.com/

I was thinking of using this myself.

I have a friend running a system from these guys.

[Heracles 417]

http://www.greasecar.com/

I was thinking of using this myself.

I have a friend running a system from these guys.

What is the performance like?

Quite a smart idea considering how much vegetable oil we throw away.

[moelarrycheese 0]

I collect used oil from a local chinese restaurant, convert it to biodiesel using a processor I built from a discarded water heater, and I run it in a 1979 mercedes diesel car. The car runs much much smoother and cleaner on bio than on "dino-diesel", but it can't be used in cold weather as the fuel gels below about 30 degrees. The difference between biodiesel and straight vegetable oil is that biodiesel doesn't need to be preheated, so the car can be used for short trips more efficiently. Also, biodiesel runs much cleaner that straight oil, without the fouling and clogging that can occur with oil. The finished fuel caosts me about $0.68/gallon, and I can mix it in any proportion with regular diesel fuel. In early spring and fall, I use a 50/50 mixture, and in summer I run 100% biodiesel.

The best website I have seen on this subject is www.biodieselcommunity.org

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

http://www.greasecar.com/

I was thinking of using this myself.

I have a friend running a system from these guys.

What is the performance like?

Quite a smart idea considering how much vegetable oil we throw away.

Not sure about mileage but he drives his mercedes wagon over the hill from Santa Cruz to San Jose several times a week (pretty steep drive). He loves it. His wife is a friend of my wifes and he gets his oil from their Thai restaurant. He has a 55 gallon drum and filter setup behind the restaurant.

[Teacher Mark 53]

I collect used oil from a local chinese restaurant, convert it to biodiesel using a processor I built from a discarded water heater, and I run it in a 1979 mercedes diesel car. The car runs much much smoother and cleaner on bio than on "dino-diesel", but it can't be used in cold weather as the fuel gels below about 30 degrees. The difference between biodiesel and straight vegetable oil is that biodiesel doesn't need to be preheated, so the car can be used for short trips more efficiently. Also, biodiesel runs much cleaner that straight oil, without the fouling and clogging that can occur with oil. The finished fuel caosts me about $0.68/gallon, and I can mix it in any proportion with regular diesel fuel. In early spring and fall, I use a 50/50 mixture, and in summer I run 100% biodiesel.

The best website I have seen on this subject is www.biodieselcommunity.org

You should be able to use Howe's Diesel Treatment W/Anti-Gel. We use it in semis to prevent the gelling in cold weather. You can find it at any truck stop.

http://www.howeslube.com/products/index.php/category/20

[Heracles 417]

Not sure about mileage but he drives his mercedes wagon over the hill from Santa Cruz to San Jose several times a week (pretty steep drive). He loves it. His wife is a friend of my wifes and he gets his oil from their Thai restaurant. He has a 55 gallon drum and filter setup behind the restaurant.

Is there any odor while the car is running? Oil odor that is..

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Not sure about mileage but he drives his mercedes wagon over the hill from Santa Cruz to San Jose several times a week (pretty steep drive). He loves it. His wife is a friend of my wifes and he gets his oil from their Thai restaurant. He has a 55 gallon drum and filter setup behind the restaurant.

Is there any odor while the car is running? Oil odor that is..

It'll smell like what was cooked in the oil. It actually smelled good.

With the conversion there are heaters in the fuel line and the tank to keep the oil fluid.

Edited April 8, 2008 by LuckyStrike

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

They have that on London buses - it basically smells like a mobile chip shop.

[Heracles 417]

They have that on London buses - it basically smells like a mobile chip shop.

Speaking of fish n chips. Have not had that in a while. Or some Nandos..

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I've not seen a chip shop out here - or a decent indian restaurant for that matter.

[moelarrycheese 0]

I collect used oil from a local chinese restaurant, convert it to biodiesel using a processor I built from a discarded water heater, and I run it in a 1979 mercedes diesel car. The car runs much much smoother and cleaner on bio than on "dino-diesel", but it can't be used in cold weather as the fuel gels below about 30 degrees. The difference between biodiesel and straight vegetable oil is that biodiesel doesn't need to be preheated, so the car can be used for short trips more efficiently. Also, biodiesel runs much cleaner that straight oil, without the fouling and clogging that can occur with oil. The finished fuel caosts me about $0.68/gallon, and I can mix it in any proportion with regular diesel fuel. In early spring and fall, I use a 50/50 mixture, and in summer I run 100% biodiesel.

The best website I have seen on this subject is www.biodieselcommunity.org

You should be able to use Howe's Diesel Treatment W/Anti-Gel. We use it in semis to prevent the gelling in cold weather. You can find it at any truck stop.

http://www.howeslube.com/products/index.php/category/20

The anti-gel additives only work reliably with dino-diesel, and marginaly well with blends up to about B20, but they have no effect on bio-diesel.

[Heracles 417]

Do they sell bio-diesel here? Then again there is a huge shortage of diesel sedans / cars here. Which I cannot figure out..