Hey guys,
I want to do a WVO conversion on a mercedes diesel. I am considering an older W123 300D turbo, a W124 diesel turbo, or a W201 190D 2.5. Do you guys have any opinions as to the best car to run WVO? I am leaning towards the W123, because I know that their engines are pretty bullet proof and they last forever. Does anyone have any experience with the other cars that they would like to share? The better fuel economy of the 190D 2.5 is appealing to me, but I don't want to buy a less reliable diesel that will not take the WVO conversion well. This car would be my daily driver after the WVO conversion.

Thanks guys!

__________________
George Carstens

as long as you filter the fuel right, heat the VO, and dewater it.. any diesel is fine.. but the 617 has a reputation for being forgiving... to some extent..

Are there any known common problems with the 190Ds or the W124 300Ds? I don't know much about these cars in general. I've had a 240D in the family forever, and I know how good of a car that is. I guess this thread is also for general information about 190Ds and W124 300Ds.

__________________
George Carstens

I currently have 30,000 + miles on my '84 190D (2.2) wvo conversion without a hiccup. Just last week I had to change the spin-on filter on the wvo side for the first time. Car runs smoother and quieter, very slight loss of power and about 2-3 mpg less on wvo, but otherwise, no issues.

Key is to filter well and provide 180 degree grease to the IP, if you do, I would think any of these older MB's are perfectly suitable. I prefer the 201 for the mileage and handling, many prefer the smoother ride, etc of the larger models, drive what you like.

Regards,
Jim

__________________
2005 C240 4matic wagon (daily driver)
87 190D - 225K (on loan)
85 190D - 312K (on loan)
2011 Subaru Legacy AWD (Wife's)

I converted my 78 300D W123 and my friend converted his W112. We both researched and built are own kits and installed them. Comparing the two mine was a whole lot easier than his becuase the W123 has more room under the hood to put your necissary components. The W112 surprisingly has less hood room and is very messy with the airfilter houseing in the front left corner. After all this the kit that I made was still a pain in the butt to install. Are you planning on making your own kit or buying a rediculously priced kit of greascar.com
-Stephen

Also, do not use copper with veggie oil. The two react negatively together and make a huge mess. Use Aluminum or Stainless Steel for the heat transfer that is in contact with the veggie oil.

__________________
RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

What do you mean by a huge mess? I made my own kit with a 3/4" copper coil that used the coolant to heat a 3/8" copper fuel line with oil inside it. I never had a problem with it and after a year and a half the system still works! What has been your experience with copper and veggie oil? Does it make it froth?
-Stephen

I actually run a 92 300D on a WVO blend, but I dont have any type of conversion done to my car at all. I just recently had to change my fuel filters after only 3000K miles, but I would say the fuel tank was overrun with fungus and I do use a biocide in my mix, so I am sure it killed all that. When it gets really cold I just up the kero in the mix, of course, that is when I am running it in my "off road" benz.

__________________
1996 E300 D
1992 300D
1990 Ford E-350 7.3 Diesel AKA "the Deep Fryer"

What percent of wvo are you running and how cold have you been able to run it? Do you blend with Kero for a reason? Have you blended #2 also?

__________________
64 European Coupe Brilliant Silver with Red interior 4 Speed Sunroof
87 TDT 286k
87 SDL 195k
83 SD 202k
83 SD 201k
83 D 286k
02 R1150RT 32K
00 122HP FLSTF
07 KTM 250SX

"Danger takes many forms"

Hello I am also thinking of running a blend. What type or brand and where did you get your biocide. Also how much of the stuff did you add to your mix.

The last question is what are the proportions you are using in your blend? i.e. 10% RUG or diesel to 90% WVO?

Thanks

__________________
CJ

1983 300D 12X,XXX

I run about 10% kero in it in the summer, and about 15-20% kero in the winter. The viscosity of WVO is a bit too think in my opinion to run straight without doing some type of conversion to the car, such as adding a heat exchanger or something. So basically I just like to thin it out just a touch.

Honestly, around here ya dont get alot of choice of diesel, whatever they are selling is what you get. I have heard one of them is home heating oil, but I just stick to my blend, it works ok for me.

Oh, and as for the temp, mid 20's is the coldest it has been so far, and it started with no hesitation at all.

__________________
1996 E300 D
1992 300D
1990 Ford E-350 7.3 Diesel AKA "the Deep Fryer"

I use Startron to kill the fungus, and I got it from a marine dealer, I got it online, just need to remember where. I will send you the link when I find it.

As for the blend, about 10% kero to about 90% WVO, throw in a couple ounces of startron, some cetane boost, filter the hell out of it and you have good stuff, ready to drive for days. Sometimes I also add about 5% REG, so that lowers my WVO to about 85%. That helps it get the missing power that WVO loses to reg diesel.

__________________
1996 E300 D
1992 300D
1990 Ford E-350 7.3 Diesel AKA "the Deep Fryer"

I plan on building my own kit from scratch. I have been building turbocharged and racecars for a few years now, so I have the fab skills to make this work. I am also in the process of designing some extra heating components so that the car can start and stop on WVO without a problem. This will be a background project as I have a few other projects up front right now. If I have good success with my first car, which will probably end up being a 300D, I might build a couple 190s after that. That is all planning down the road though. That's all I have for now.

__________________
George Carstens

I have 15K wvo miles on my 84 300D (5cyl turbo), it runs quieter/smoother on Veggie power. I get about 23 mpg, don't forget converting is one part but you must filter and dewater your veg. oil well also. I built my own two tank system, I use the stock tank for veggie a hose in hose (3/8" alum. fuel line inside 3/4" coolant line, a heated filter and a 16 plate heat exchange and a switching valve to select Diesel/veggie (I added a 6 Gal. marine tank to the trunk for my diesel tank, only used to start up and shut down on) . I would check out the Biodiesel infopop sight along with Frybrid and Greasecar forums.

Mike

No, it makes a green corrosion slime. We did a chemistry experiment in college using different oils and acids and how they reacted with metals. Copper started to corrode in hot peanut oil over a few days. Regular steel formed rust, while Stainless steel and aluminum did not react. We we simulating how to test restaurant environmentals. How every neither metal held up too well in the sulfuric of hydrochloric acids. Frybrid had a picture of this when they disassembled a grease car kit with the copper heat transfer tube. It has to do with the chemical properties of copper and veggie oil.

__________________
RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K