Starving engine (lack of power) on vegetable oil wont go past 40mph
 

I have converted a 1982 mercedes benz 240D to run on 100% vegetable oil. waste vegetable oil was put in it and now it wont go past 40mph. I think the fuel filters are clogged up. Its getting hot enough. The heat is coming from a standard vegtherm from plant drive, and an extra 200 degrees f from fuel injector line heaters. I've also installed an extra fuel pump 12V 9psi. I don't have a large heated filter. I just changed the circular mercedes filter and clear filter. I also added another clear filter. If all those filters were just changed, why would they clog that quick. Do I have to loop the return fuel. If so hows that done. Do I have to heat the cylinder filter on the mercedes. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

oops:rolleyes:

my guess is the fuel filters. did you filter the used oil?

what happened was a friend took it to a guy who is selling waste veggie oil. They told me they saw him filter it through a sock filter. Still, I replaced all the filters three days ago???

A sock filter is not enough filtering for WVO. You need to filter that stuff down to 5 microns or less. Plus it is probably cleaning out the entire fuel system at the same time. Run this batch out then run petro diesel or VERY clean wvo and change the fuel filters and you should be ok.

it may not so much be dirty, unfiltered oil as moisture (water)in the oil. get off the veggie oil.....NOW. It will screw up the injector pump and you do not want to replace that! Take some of the oil out of the tank and allow it to settle for at least 2 weeks at room temp. Look for seperation.There is a lot more to burning veggie oil than just running it through a sock and dumping it in your tank.It should be filtered 3 times down to 1 micron. allowed to settle. De-watered Tested for water content.I personally do not have a problem with burning this stuff, but cautions must be taken before it comes home on a rollback.

where are you located? is the weather cool/cold? Did you heat the return line?what are you driving?

Yes, I did forget to mention running it through a waterblock filter as well. Many people even install these on their cars just as added protection from water. However I have ran WVO for over a year with no problems other than clogged fuel filters. Its my little attempt to do what I can do as an individual to help the environment. Plus it is cheaper.

I'm in Los Angeles. Do I need to loop or heat the return line. If so how is that done? Have you guys ever put WVO in your tank that was just ran through a sock filter and had this problem?

Air in Fuel lines
 

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Hello all :)

There are essentially 3 fuel filters to check.

1. primary - small in-line filter, under hood.
2. spin-on - looks like spin-on oil filter, under hood.
3. in-tank - in the fuel tank, under rear of car.

If all three of these filters are clean.
My guess is there is an air leak in the fuel system.

Check out this link to see how I found, and solved the air leak problem.
My post is about the 8th one down.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/173175-still-power-loss-after-lots-work.html

Hope this helps
Have Fun

RichC
:stupid:

this sounds like a lovecraft biofuels thing :(

If it is a single tank conversion you can fix the problem by removing it.

Do I Have to answer that:o .
Yes .....your return line needs to be heated same as the fuel line from the tank. Most common method is to incase your fuel line in a heater hose coming off the engine. run a lope so to speak, back to the tank on the fuel line then return to the front via the return line. If the return line is not heated, gelling can take place ristricting the return flow.
was this a kit you had installed?homebuilt?
If this is a kit, many of the manufactures have forums directed towards their products. might be better to get info there.

can anybody provide a link with instructions on how to loop the return? Maybe with pictures please?

If your wvo is not filtered to the point that it appears clear(not colorless) but opeque(sp)....this is what is in your filters,lines,injectors,and IP.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...8/eb549e39.jpg

without indorsing anyone......this might be a place to start. Many of these posters have shops of their own and specialize in WVO conversions
http://www.frybrid.com/forum/