When you started burning WVO in your MB,,, - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mespe · #1 03-08-2007, 11:37 PM

How often did you have to change your fuel filters. I've been wondering, if WVO is cleaning my fuel lines and that's why I gotta change the filters so often, of if I'm not filtering well enough.

It would be nice if someone had documented the mileage, since conversion, that fuel filters are changed.

300SD81 · #2 03-08-2007, 11:41 PM

How often are you chainging them? I'm running B100 for the first time, its been 4 days, filter looks a little browner than before, but still hasn't clogged.

benzforlife · #3 03-08-2007, 11:43 PM

what color is the crud that is clogging ur filters?

mespe · #4 03-09-2007, 12:35 AM

There is a dif between B100 and WVO,,, BIG Dif, The crud is dark brownish, here take a look,,,

Frankie · #5 03-09-2007, 04:41 AM

Do not do what I did. I had trouble accelerating on the frwy but the engine sounded great. I thought it was a clogged fuel filter so I changed both, because I wasn't sure which one was clogged. I found out that it was the spin on filter, a cranberry fell out of it when I turned it upside down. Cost me $16 in filters to find this out. Stupid me, I was eating trail mix a couple weeks ago while filtering the oil. I am not a hippie, honest.

Also, where are you getting your oil from? Japanese restaurant oil can clog your filter because the tempura flour is so fine, you cannot easily see it and it can get through a size 5 micron filter. Burrito places are the best IMO. They only fry tortilla chips in it.

mespe · #6 03-09-2007, 09:47 AM

I have a couple sources. One (about 5 gal/week) is a bar. One of those local shot and a beer joints. Their oil is very dark. My other sources, are a church (during lent) and a campground (summer only) Their oil is only used 1 day and is very clean.

firemediceric · #7 03-09-2007, 10:01 AM

I had to change my filters within the first month of having the car. Other than that, I have yet to have a filter clog on my truck or car, but I do filter my oil VERY well and I use Star-Tron with each fill up (1 ounce per 15 gallons)

mespe · #8 03-09-2007, 10:32 AM

Firemedic ,,, define very well.

Nate Stanley · #9 03-09-2007, 11:19 AM

For the time I was running a mix of 1 micron filtered WVO and RUG in my 300D, I didn't have too much in the way of filter problems, but the increased viscosity of the oil amplified small air leaks in the fuel lines. This resulted in loss of fuel prime, which mimicked a clogged filter.

Since the fuel lines can harden and crack on the inside before they look bad on the outside, it took awhile before I figured that one out. Once I replaced all soft lines and installed a plate type heat exchanger to heat the oil, things got a whole lot better.

BTW the car is off the road, but not because of fuel problems (it started right up after sitting 4 months). I just haven't had time to replace bad flex disks and I don't want to mod the 300SD just yet, so I'm driving it right now.

firemediceric · #10 03-09-2007, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mespe

Firemedic ,,, define very well.

You asked, so here it is, and it's long.

I get asked this question all the time, so here is a cut and paste from another response I made. It may have more info than you want, but if it doesn't answer your questions just let me know and I'll be happy to elaborate.

I got started with the DSE stuff. I then did a lot more research. I continue to use the basic process, but I no longer use their additive and I have added some steps.

I have not heard first hand of anyone having any problem with the process beyond clogged filters. I have yet to clog a filter in my truck. I have only clogged the filter in the Mercedes that came with the car when I bought it, since then the junk has been cleaned out of the tank just through use and no problems since. In the begining I went through filters on my fuel processing station pretty regularly, but since changing up my process a little, my filters last hundreds of gallons. I probably have 600 gallons on the present ones now.

Here's what I do: I collect my oil by either picking up the cubies the restaurant has set out for me or by using a pump to pull the oil out of a dumpster and put it into 5 gallon buckets. My first 55 gallon drum has a hole cut in it the allows a 5 gallon bucket to be inserted like a cork in a bottle. This 5 gallon bucket has a bunch of holes drilled in the bottom. I line this bucket with a pillow case (I buy them at the thrift shop for 50 cents each.) I pour the oil into the pillow case and wait for it to filter through. I stop pouring as soon as I see water or any junk going into the pillow case.

After I have filled up the 55 gallon drum I do a VERY simple mist wash just using a pump sprayer. My hope is that this will balance out any Ph issues as well as further flush out any contaminates. I spray a couple gallons of water over the oil. I spray about a quart at a time, coming back in an hour or when ever I think of it to spray the next quart. After letting it sit for a day or more, I drain the water off of the bottom. I then drop in a heating element and heat the oil to 120* for 6 hours while a small fan blows air across the surface of the oil. I then let it settle as long as possible, anywhere from a week to a couple of months depending on how soon I need it.

You'll be amazed at how much stuff settles out over time.

A few days before I need the oil I transfer it through the DSE recomended filter set up and into a second 55 gallon drum, leaving behind the bottom 6" or so to be disposed of later. Once in the second drum, I heat the oil one more time as above and then let it settle again for a few days. I can't really tell you why I do this, except that I like to err on the side of caution and this is an easy step to repeat. I then transfer one more time into my third and final drum which I call my Blending drum.

On the DSE filter set up I do use a better pump then they suggest and I also wrap the two whole house filters with paper towels. The paper towels can be peeled off when they get clogged and it lets me get more use out of the actual filters. Once in the blending drum, I add the kerosene. Sometimes as little as 10%, sometimes as much as 30%. I add 5% RUG. I add the Power Service Diesel Kleen as DSE recommends, about 20 ounces for 30 gallons of WVO. Instead of the DSE stuff I'm using a 50/50 mix of xylene and naptha at the rate DSE recommends their stuff be used.

If you look at the MSDS for DSE you'll see that it's primarily naptha and xylene. Both can be bought at Lowe's for about $14 per gallon or $6 per quart. That's a whole lot less expensive than the DSE stuff. I've read both that the xylene allows the waterblock filter to catch suspended water and that the naptha allows any water that remains in the fuel to be processed by the vehicle without issue. I have no actual proof of those claims, but I reason that those additives certainly cannot hurt and may help, with viscosity if nothing else.

At each fill up I also add some StarTron to the vehicle per the directions on the lable as an algacide. I put a whole bottle of the stuff in my tanks when I first got started just to clean them out. You can get it at West Marine.

So far everything is working well.

ChefHugh3 · #11 03-10-2007, 10:16 AM

Great reply! I too use DSE, in stock configuration, going on two years. Latest calculations of cost is $.76/gal. Don't have an elaborate set up like firemediceric. Would like to know more about the naptha and xylene, available at Lowe's? Think maybe I'll try the paper towels too. Right now I filter the WVO through a restaurant style fry oil filter suspended in an over the sink strainer (walmart).

a2t · #12 03-11-2007, 11:03 AM

thats awesome.

I get my oil from a wings place in 5 gal buckets (directly from fryer).

pour thru 5 micron hanging filters into 55 gal barell. have a hot water heater in bottom that heats to 100 or so. (these are dana linscotts directions).

then have hand pump pushing oil thru golden rod filter before it goes into car.

Ive since modified it to have an electric pump from northern tool pushing the oil thru golden rod and into car.

this set up has worked well for past 150 gal. Ive put about 4k miles on car, havent changed either dino or veg filters yet.

Austin85 · #13 03-11-2007, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mespe

How often did you have to change your fuel filters. I've been wondering, if WVO is cleaning my fuel lines and that's why I gotta change the filters so often, of if I'm not filtering well enough.

It would be nice if someone had documented the mileage, since conversion, that fuel filters are changed.

When first started 25,000miles ago on my 300D I wasn't letting the oil settle long enough so I was changing like every other day.

Then I let it settle for 4-5 days & got the Startron Diesel additive- added a 12volt facet fuel pump just after the fuel tank screen filter (putting on a new one today....) and now filtering my Tempura flour laced WVO into a 55 gal. drum through a cut off leg from a pair of old blue jeans. The tempura flour must stay in the blue jeans....

Also adding acetone & PS cetane boost white bottle.

Now I change my filters about every 6 months just as preventative maintenence. For 12. it costs that is OKEE with me.

...

Rick H · #14 03-11-2007, 11:36 PM

I pour thru 5 micron bag filters and get about 6mo. per filter. You may have a air leak . If you are sucking air it may act like a plugged filter.

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