Lovecraft warns against synthetic on older models. - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Old300D · #31 08-14-2006, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankie

Whoa old300D!
Is there something you want to get off your chest? I gotta hear this! Are you speaking from personal experience with Lovecraft? Don't want any second hand stories now.
Is there some sort of rivalry b/t veggies and biodiesel Denver? Can't we all just get along?
Frankie

I don't have to have Lovecraft "convert" my car to vegetable oil by drilling out the factory filter in order to know he's a crook. And this is not hear-say, the guy has admitted to such behavior.

networkboy · #32 08-14-2006, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankie

Still confused. Yup, you guys are no help at all

I don't think a 99 300 E qualifies as "an older model".
Ford is not quite the same as MBZ diesel. With all due respect, of course.
I think lovecraft was specific referring to MBZ but I might be wrong.

Thanks anyways.
F.

FWIW concerning the oil leak thing, that's a non-issue. shouldn't matter what engine, when converting from dino to synthetic, if it's gonna nock something loose it'll nock it loose in any engine. And on that vein, I switched my chevy truck from 10W30 dino to 5W50 synthetic and as a result went from about 1/2 quart of oil per tank of gas to about 1/8 quart.
did the changeover at about 60K miles and now have 180K+ (183 I think) on it.

Cheers,
nB

Frankie · #33 08-14-2006, 03:23 PM

So are you thinking you might switch your 1983 300 D to synthetic too?
Well that Lovecraft experience is suspicious, yes.
This is why I am studying and asking now. I'm also looking into fatty wagon and grease car methods.

Frankie

Old300D · #34 08-14-2006, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankie

So are you thinking you might switch your 1983 300 D to synthetic too?
Well that Lovecraft experience is suspicious, yes.
This is why I am studying and asking now. I'm also looking into fatty wagon and grease car methods.

Frankie

If you are looking for good, objective, RELIABLE information on vegetable oil conversions, go to the SVO section on http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/ and make sure to persue http://www.frybrid.com/forum/

Fattywagon is making some ok stuff, and greasecar too, but the most research and knowledge has gone into the frybrid stuff and Dana Linscotts veg-oil conversions. And I have no iron in the fire, I burn biodiesel.

Frankie · #35 08-14-2006, 08:24 PM

Hey,
I just collected some WVO canola oil from the Mexican restaurant. Is there a difference between hydrogenated canola and refined canola?
The container says refined but no mention of hydrogenated. I read that it was not good to use hydrogenated oils.
I'm gonna stare at this WVO for a long time. I can't skip phase 2 of my experiment. WVO is phase 3.
Frankie

Old300D · #36 08-14-2006, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankie

Hey,
I just collected some WVO canola oil from the Mexican restaurant. Is there a difference between hydrogenated canola and refined canola?
The container says refined but no mention of hydrogenated. I read that it was not good to use hydrogenated oils.
I'm gonna stare at this WVO for a long time. I can't skip phase 2 of my experiment. WVO is phase 3.
Frankie

I do not believe they are the same. Most vegetable oil is "refined" to become food grade. If it doesn't say hydrogenated, it probably isn't. But take a sample and put it in the refrigerator -- if it solidifies it will be hydrogenated.

Frankie · #37 08-14-2006, 10:31 PM

Excellent! What a simple test.
You are da BOMB!
Cheers,
Frankie

Frankie · #38 08-14-2006, 10:53 PM

Oops meant to thank all of you, and Hosenpants. I was just thinking how in a strange way, this is a support group for people seeking knowledge. I "don't feel alone". Aaaaahhhh, but not to get too sappy on you guys.
Good luck to you too Hosenpants. It's prudent to study this for a few months (at least) before making any lifestyle changes esp. regarding the labor of WVO.
The Bluegrass band I follow around sometimes, they use veggie oil on their tour bus. I don't know of any problems and they tooted biofuels at the High Sierra Music fest this summer. HotButteredRumstring band.net
Cheers,
Frankie

Hosenpants · #39 08-15-2006, 12:20 AM

Frankie: while you are researching, can you resist buying a slim volume on the subject?

http://www.**************.com/

is a site I found through this forum and, outside of a discussion about alt.fuels, it seems to me that Kent Bergsma (owner of the site) has earned a bit of respect.

Anyway, over at the left hand nav, choose "Repair Manuals" and then scroll down - you'll eventually see a few books he's put together re: veggie oil. I don't have 'em, have not read 'em, but I do find myself making a list of some of these manuals that I would very much like to see and they are on it. My wrenching experience is lacking I'm afraid and any guide books that appear aimed at the aspiring shade tree'er look attractive to me.

Also can't forget the Giant, an active member of this forum:

http://dieselgiant.com/index.html

Just throwin' it out there.

Hosenpants

rebreath · #40 08-15-2006, 12:41 AM

I am researching to eventually go veggie oil.

Do not forget to look at blends.wvo +
this does not involve any conversions to your car.
As to waiting for MB to stand behind wvo or even bio for that matter-good luck.remeber though that originally diesels were meant and designed to run on veggie.unless mistaken I beleive his first idea was to use coal dust-not viable apparently.

compress ignite · #41 08-15-2006, 01:06 AM

F,

I ran an '84 300SD 100,000 miles on Mobil 1 15W50 with NO ill effects(already
had 120,000 miles on it with dino oil )

Frankie · #42 08-15-2006, 02:45 AM

Ditto about MBZ but regardless, I would not expect them to endorse such a "new" concept eventhough it is positive that they are buying farmland in India after successfully trialing the Jathropa (castor oil)crop in their 2007(?) E220 diesel. I think it is at the MBZ UK site. This is according to the forum participant from India 2 weeks ago.
I am considering a 80% filtered WVO/20% diesel blend for summer, thanks for bringing that up. By the time I get to phase 3 it will be 60 F winter here in SF and I might have to do 60%WVO/40%diesel or 70%WVO/10%petrounleaded/20%diesel. Don't have to think about that until Dec.
Hosepants, your links are noted. How do you like your MBZ? What year?
There are a few 300 S and SD's up here in No. Cal but they are going for twice the KBB for a 1987.
I got a fair price $3500. No a/c, window wash dispenser and no cruise control. The mech. that checked it for me said it is good except the radiator leaks and said there was a puddle of coolant on floor. I couldn't find it to save my life, evaporated? Keeping a close eye of temp gauge and coolant level and floor but everything is great. Head scratcher/a little suspicious of this new diesel mech.
I'm on 4 other threads and none quite this long winded, sorry. I'm at work and bored I guess.
Frankie

Frankie · #43 08-15-2006, 02:52 AM

Compress ignite-
Thanks! That is the exact year /model that I just bought. Is that the Delvac synthetic? Notice any good differences? Idle? engine run smoother? Anything like that? How often do you change your oil ? Which brand filter do you use? OEM?
I might try Mobil 1, it's been mentioned/recommended a few times here.

Oh yeah, Mr. Diesel like PEANUT oil for his cars. What a cool guy.
Frankie

aklim · #44 08-15-2006, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankie

Compress ignite-
Thanks! That is the exact year /model that I just bought. Is that the Delvac synthetic? Notice any good differences? Idle? engine run smoother? Anything like that? How often do you change your oil ? Which brand filter do you use? OEM?
I might try Mobil 1, it's been mentioned/recommended a few times here.

Oh yeah, Mr. Diesel like PEANUT oil for his cars. What a cool guy.
Frankie

I can't be 100% sure but with my 99 E300, there is an oil quality sensor that dictates when you do the oil change. Seems like my oil changes are longer out now that I switched to Delvac 1.

BrierS · #45 08-15-2006, 05:59 AM

Over the past few years, I have switched nearly all of our family fleet of eleven vehicles to synthetic. The two Mercedes have syn everywhere oil is supposed to exist. I have not found any leakage that was not present prior to the switch. Both of my tractors (diesel and a gas) are on a steady diet of Mobil 1 also. Same results. I am attempting to advocate that it is necessarily better yet it is a choice I made. I have read LB's statement regarding oil, "change it hot and change it often" and would guess he is referring to non-synthetic. I'll bet he has had the same results as the rest of us that have gone the other route, i.e. longevity. I think it is personal preference. However, it seems your original question pertains to created leaks and I have noticed none.
Steve