Thoughts on my recent WVO conversion - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

powerpig · #1 03-25-2007, 08:14 PM

Well, it's been a little over a week since I drove from North Virginia to Memphis to have my 300SDL converted to WVO.
Steve Parker of Deep Fried Rides is a great guy and really has a passion for what he's doing. He has one Mercedes Tech and two Diesel Techs installing the conversion kit from greasecar.com.
The conversion took around eight hours and they did a nice, professional job.
Last Sunday we drove the car from Memphis to the MS Coast averaging 80-85 mph with no problems. The car ran really smooth on the WVO and it was a real kick knowing we were powered by grease.
I drove it around the Coast all week with no problems except some filter clogging the day before we left. Drove back switching from diesel to grease and made great time. The look of the people in the Waffle House parking lot as we refueled with grease was priceless. (not Waffle House grease, Steve gave us enough for the trip back.)
Overall, a great experience, and I would not hesitate to recommend Deep Fried Rides and the Greasecar kit for those of you think about doing this. I'm thrilled that I had it done and know I'll get some bashing from the "purists".

TheDon · #2 03-25-2007, 08:21 PM

I wont bash you since your running SVO.. and you did put a two tank system in.. so your good in my book

jshadows · #3 03-25-2007, 08:35 PM

How much for the kit and installation?

powerpig · #4 03-25-2007, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jshadows

How much for the kit and installation?

The kit was $750 although I think they've gone up recently. Installation was $1000 which included a Memphis BBQ dinner and all the grease I could carry. Deep Fried Rides had a pretty nice 300DT conversion for sale that I saw while I was there. I think he wants around $3000 for it.

Cervan · #5 03-26-2007, 01:47 AM

expect less mpg. and expect to knock off about 100k on your engine lifespan.

my .02$

Paulc66t · #6 03-26-2007, 08:43 AM

What is your .02 based on? Real experience or your beliefs.

dannym · #7 03-26-2007, 08:58 AM

It's based on Bull$hit

Cephallus · #8 03-26-2007, 12:09 PM

can't we all just get along?

WD8CDH · #9 03-26-2007, 01:15 PM

Based on my experience, a proper conversion with properly filtered and de-watered WVO will INCREASE engine life.

WINGAS · #10 03-26-2007, 01:26 PM

Getting along is one thing, but putting out OPINIONS that have no empirical basis is another. He was simply asking what the empirical basis of the observaton was. There's my .02.

powerpig · #11 03-26-2007, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WD8CDH

Based on my experience, a proper conversion with properly filtered and de-watered WVO will INCREASE engine life.

I did a lot of research before I took the plunge and I came up with the same conclusion. I will say that it does run smoother on the WVO. The wife wants me to convert the 300DT so she can have a greasecar also.

veg_hed_300d · #12 03-26-2007, 05:25 PM

based on my experience i'm pushing 20,000 miles on my grease conversion with no problems whatsoever including 1600 miles to the outer banks and back last week...i built the veggie tank and most of the other parts came from Lowes and Autozone...i did buy the 3-way grease car solenoids at $60 a pop though...mine was home made conversion with a plastic 12 gallon marine tank but just as good as a pro job in my opinion...heated tank, heated hose within a hose, heat wrapped fuel filter, insulation out the ying-yang and fattywagon injector line heaters that make sure the grease is up to temp before it goes into the engine... my engine actually runs quieter on straight veggie oil..

check out:
biodiesel.infopop.cc
for a lot of info and stuff about people and their grease conversions...

veganxxx · #13 03-26-2007, 08:15 PM

Except for the copper heater in the tank, no final heat exchanger or temp gauge, a back flush purge that damages fuel filters, valves with too small orifices, and a hose in hose fitting that if it leaks sends coolant into the fuel tank you are fine with the greasecar kit. I wish people would research into what they are putting into their car. Maybe then there would be more facts and less .02 cents.

Cervan · #14 03-26-2007, 09:43 PM

just to clarify what i said you WILL get less mpg on grease than diesel, Why is this you ask? well its not an opinion its all based on how much energy or Certane a certain fuel has Diesel happens to have MORE certane than grease! meaning! that it takes MORE grease to power your two ton monster down the road.

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2006/dec/31/grease_guzzlers_find_way_save_gasoline_vegetable_o/?city_local

read this. im not basing this on my opinion but its something to back me up ask marshall too.

Second grease has less lubricity to it meaning that your injector pump will wear more. anything that is supposed to be lubricated by diesel will suffer from this. Also grease causes the oil in your engine to thicken much faster about 2 or 3 times faster than running on diesel adding to my reason.

overall its not really worth smelling like french fries when i know down the road im going to have to overhaul much sooner.

SunWizard · #15 03-26-2007, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cervan

Second grease has less lubricity to it meaning that your injector pump will wear more. anything that is supposed to be lubricated by diesel will suffer from this. Also grease causes the oil in your engine to thicken much faster about 2 or 3 times faster than running on diesel adding to my reason.

Thats not true at all. WVO and Biodiesel have far more lubricity than diesel. There are numerous studies if you care to look showing that as little as 1% Bio or VO added to diesel increases its lubricity 65%. When that part of your post is so wrong it makes me question all your supposed facts.