Is this WVO conversion kit good? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

DieselLover4EVR · #1 05-13-2007, 03:42 AM

I found a vegetable oil conversion kit on eBay, which does not cost much, and it is German made, but it's a one tank conversion, that I would think is prety good. Heres the site address...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Vegetable-Oil-Fuel-System-Complete-kit-German-Quality_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ46093QQihZ018QQitemZ280114168921QQrdZ1

If anyone thinks I should buy it tell me so please, (if not, why?) Thanks!

SD300 · #2 05-13-2007, 04:15 AM

This looks like it will heat up the veg oil.
Single tank has its draw back as I read.
try biodieselnow.com

pawoSD · #3 05-13-2007, 08:35 AM

Looks like a neat setup, an alternator upgrade could be necessary though...360 watts is over half the max alternator output on our cars.

a2t · #4 05-13-2007, 08:39 AM

Its basically a small heat exchanger, with a $5 switch and some hose clamps, and no where near enough hose.

When its freezing cold outside, what would move the WVO out of the tank? You'd never start the motor, and if you somehow did, you would have to pull cold WVO into the engine. Recipe for disaster. You will end up with veg oil mixing into the engine oil (via cold piston rings with loose tolerance) and will eventually wear out the whole engine.

Its essential to ONLY use WVO when its above 160F. If you really want to trash the motor, go buy a Love Craft kit.

WD8CDH · #5 05-14-2007, 01:22 PM

It might be enough for a thin SVO (unused veggie oil) like Canola but far from what is needed for using waste veggie oil.

Of course, the old MB engines will run for a short period of time on just about anything that burns and will pump but if you want normal engine life, you will need far more than that conversion.

DieselLover4EVR · #6 05-14-2007, 08:21 PM

I will most likely buy the "greasecar" kit, but if anyone knows a better kit, or chaeper, please tell me, especially if it's around $1,000. Greasecar would install the kit for me and everything for like $3,000 which would be too expensive for me. So I would like to choose some other kit maybe? Any ideas?

Old300D · #7 05-14-2007, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselLover4EVR

I will most likely buy the "greasecar" kit, but if anyone knows a better kit, or chaeper, please tell me, especially if it's around $1,000. Greasecar would install the kit for me and everything for like $3,000 which would be too expensive for me. So I would like to choose some other kit maybe? Any ideas?

Greasecar would be ok. The best is Frybrid, if you can afford it. Any singletank will have issues, both because you will have to change oil more often at least, and there are more issues with filter plugging and oil polymerization. Are you prepared for the pre-filtering and dewatering of your oil? There is nearly as much time involved with oil prep and way more cost associated with burning WVO as opposed to making biodiesel....

Quinn8it · #8 05-14-2007, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselLover4EVR

I will most likely buy the "greasecar" kit, but if anyone knows a better kit, or chaeper, please tell me, especially if it's around $1,000. Greasecar would install the kit for me and everything for like $3,000 which would be too expensive for me. So I would like to choose some other kit maybe? Any ideas?

Around here You can have Biodiesel delivered to your house for $3.60 a gallon, dropped off in 55 gallon drums. For $3000 you could get 15 drums of high grade fuel. Based on my fuel consumption (7 gal a week) you wouldn't exceed that $3K for well over 2 years. and no upfront cost. and no skulking behind restaurants for oil, and no filtering, no mods, and no petro diesel, and if the car dies there is no conversion to move to the next one... Just my .02

My WVO is dropped off every couple of days at the garage i filter it in... And it still felt like a part time job getting it tank ready.

a2t · #9 05-14-2007, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Are you prepared for the pre-filtering and dewatering of your oil? There is nearly as much time involved with oil prep and way more cost associated with burning WVO as opposed to making biodiesel....

I dont know too much about making bio-d but from what Ive heard its pretty involved process - and you end up with gylcerin as waste product which you need to dispose of.

Filtering WVO is only the 1st step in making biodiesel, so how could bio d be easier to make? Its easier to run on, being there are no real mods, but from what I know you pay that back in the fuel cost.

I spent $20 on Dana Linscotts WVO filtering plans and another $100 or so on filter set up. It took a few hrs, but what can be easier than pouring WVO into top of barrell and letting it sit a few days?

And the payback - I saved $140 last month, and my commute is 9 miles to/from work. I cant imagine what Id save with a normal 40 mile commute.

Ive heard the Greasecar kits are pretty decent, although the guys at Frybrid seem to hate them. I'd personally pay the few extra bucks for a Frybrid kit but Im sure there are plenty running Greasecar with no issues. My exp is with Frybrid, and I highly recommend it. Just be patient with delivery, any issues that arise in shipping.

grindMARC · #10 05-15-2007, 09:33 AM

I think all the kits are a compromise somewhere. You'll usually end up with some components that you don't need/want or paying for some overpriced parts. Its not really that hard to piece together your own kit.

I think the Greasecar valves are great, but their heated fuel filter is very difficult to change. A friend with a VW and a GC kit came over for help with changing her first filter. No lie, it took us a least 30 mins. I could only manage to get a thumb and two fingers on the thing. Its worth pointing out that access has alot to do with where/how its installed. But, its still not as easy to change as a "heated head" filter like vegpower.

As far as filtering goes -- its really easy as long as you have the room to set up a rig.

hotwheelbill · #11 05-15-2007, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselLover4EVR

I found a vegetable oil conversion kit on eBay, which does not cost much, and it is German made, but it's a one tank conversion, that I would think is prety good. Heres the site address...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Vegetable-Oil-Fuel-System-Complete-kit-German-Quality_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ46093QQihZ018QQitemZ280114168921QQrdZ1

If anyone thinks I should buy it tell me so please, (if not, why?) Thanks!

I have this exact setup. Plus I use the stock trans cooler as a heat exchanger for my oil. I have been blending with 10% gas and 1% Acetone to thin down and burn a little hotter.
It works, and worked even better when I wired it to the battery and not the fuse box, but it does not heat much oil and the Glow Plugs come on after you start up, but it does work.
One tank system.........I have been doing it for the last year. I live in North Florida, warm or hot! I am redoing my system now for a two tank system because of one main issue. The WVO does not do well with the steal tank. It will, and has on mine car, clog filters time and time again. I have pulled my tank twice to clean it. Other than that, I have had no other real problems with the one tank, but again, I am in North Florida. I also use Diesel Purge at every oil change.
My advice is to read ,read,and read. Build you own two tank system for about twice as much money.

Old300D · #12 05-15-2007, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a2t

I dont know too much about making bio-d but from what Ive heard its pretty involved process - and you end up with gylcerin as waste product which you need to dispose of.

Filtering WVO is only the 1st step in making biodiesel, so how could bio d be easier to make? Its easier to run on, being there are no real mods, but from what I know you pay that back in the fuel cost.

I spent $20 on Dana Linscotts WVO filtering plans and another $100 or so on filter set up. It took a few hrs, but what can be easier than pouring WVO into top of barrell and letting it sit a few days?

And the payback - I saved $140 last month, and my commute is 9 miles to/from work. I cant imagine what Id save with a normal 40 mile commute.

Ive heard the Greasecar kits are pretty decent, although the guys at Frybrid seem to hate them. I'd personally pay the few extra bucks for a Frybrid kit but Im sure there are plenty running Greasecar with no issues. My exp is with Frybrid, and I highly recommend it. Just be patient with delivery, any issues that arise in shipping.

Making biodiesel is a bit more involved, but there is NO filtering or dewatering; biodiesel will take as much time and room as WVO DONE PROPERLY. You do work with dangerous chemicals, but with a little planning and thoughts regarding process and safety, exposure can be eliminated. If you have time and space, fuel washing is not necessary. Glycerine is biodegradable and can be disposed of in the landfill. Wash water can be put into the city sewer, and after the first wash, can be poured on your lawn.

The cost is what really bites on a VO conversion. I save over $2.00 per gallon over pump diesel, and my $600 investment paid off in less than a year. With your short commute, you will not be able to top this fuel cost because of the startup fuel.

scoodidabop · #13 05-15-2007, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old300D

Making biodiesel is a bit more involved, but there is NO filtering or dewatering; biodiesel will take as much time and room as WVO DONE PROPERLY. You do work with dangerous chemicals, but with a little planning and thoughts regarding process and safety, exposure can be eliminated. If you have time and space, fuel washing is not necessary. Glycerine is biodegradable and can be disposed of in the landfill. Wash water can be put into the city sewer, and after the first wash, can be poured on your lawn.

The cost is what really bites on a VO conversion. I save over $2.00 per gallon over pump diesel, and my $600 investment paid off in less than a year. With your short commute, you will not be able to top this fuel cost because of the startup fuel.

TANGENT*

How do you get around washing the bio-d?

Old300D · #14 05-15-2007, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scoodidabop

TANGENT*

How do you get around washing the bio-d?

Time for methanol to evaporate and soap/glycerine to settle will accomplish the same thing as washing. It will take a while, unless you build a still to recover the methanol and accelerate the process.

rrgrassi · #15 05-15-2007, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old300D

Time for methanol to evaporate and soap/glycerine to settle will accomplish the same thing as washing. It will take a while, unless you build a still to recover the methanol and accelerate the process.

How long is that process? I'm wanting to do the same thing, but can't seem to find a good source of oil.