*Warning* WVO question! - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#16 07-03-2007, 04:00 PM

Don't assume anything. Ask Greasecar if they have any recommended or approved installers in your area or call around for installation quotes.

If you are going to keep it as a long term investment, you might as well do it right from the beginning so you don't have to worry about it later on.

muleears · #17 07-03-2007, 04:12 PM

The have a listed installer about 2hrs. from me. I suppose I need to call him. Can I join the OBK? I currently own three diesels

#18 07-03-2007, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muleears

Can I join the OBK? I currently own three diesels

Just click on the bird, it will take you to the correct thread for joining.

NC Benz · #19 07-03-2007, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Just click on the bird, it will take you to the correct thread for joining.

But dont teach him the secret handshake until he pays his dues to all other members!

#20 07-03-2007, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NC Benz

But dont teach him the secret handshake until he pays his dues to all other members!

The optional due right now is the Grille badge. There is still time to order them for your car!

OK, I've hijacked enough, back to the topic.

cewyattjr · #21 07-03-2007, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Don't assume anything. Ask Greasecar if they have any recommended or approved installers in your area or call around for installation quotes.

If you are going to keep it as a long term investment, you might as well do it right from the beginning so you don't have to worry about it later on.

Just my own $.000002. I've been using a 2-tank GC system that I picked up on eBay this past winter. Gently used, but I saved about $500 off of the cost of a new one. Some very nice folks installed it for me for under $500. With all that I wasn't happy with the temperatures. Often under 100 degrees after 10-20 minutes of driving in cooler weather, not good.

I added one of Omar's heat exchangers and it has worked wonders, highly recommended and I think it was under $100. No interest in his business on my part, but I've used glow plug heaters and veg therms in my TDI Beetle, and I like the no-muss no-fuss of the FPHE and it just works and the heat comes up fast.

Be sure and get a good oil source that is as flour-free as possible. I made the mistake of getting a lot of oil from a nice falafel place and it sure clogged up my filtering setup. High-end bistros, chinese restaurants, seem to be good. Anyway, you've probably heard all that before!

Good luck and happy veggie-ing.

-Chuck

a2t · #22 07-03-2007, 11:52 PM

2 tank without question. Its not just fuel in lines. Its when cold VO squirts into cylinders, hits walls, seeps past cold rings, and mixes with engine oil. Needless to say, VO is not a good engine lubricant!

I used Frybrid system, which was expensive but if you priced the components 1 by 1, you'd pay about the same to peice it together.

Of special interest to me with Frybrid was :

1. nice tank with encapsulated heater (not a dropped in radiator) heats only oil its using, not whole tank - makes for quick switch overs.

2. bulletproof hydraforce valves (2 seperate 3 way, ensures no mixing veg oil back to D2 tank!)

3. very efficient and simple heated filter head - basically custom block mounted to VW oil cooler.

4. Nifty computer controller automatically switches over, so I can eat a burger, talk on cell phone, and not worry about forgetting. Surprised how useful this is.

Have 8k miles so far on my 87 300D, the engine could not be happier.

The cons - COST! $1700. Long (2 month) wait for kit. Off/On customer support.

Who on here has problems with good 2 tank WVO kit? Its borderline disgusting to continue reliance on OPEC when proven alternatives (ie, GOOD 2 TANK KITS, not single tank!) are out there.

Anyways, you can read up on my conversion here -

http://www.gruvenparts.com/Vegie%20Benz/veggie%20benz.htm

grindMARC · #23 07-04-2007, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a2t

The cons - COST! $1700. Long (2 month) wait for kit. Off/On customer support.

Is the computer a VO controller? If so, the price really isn't THAT bad. The VO Controller retails for $499. $1200 is only about $400 over the price of my DIY/piece meal 2-tank system.

How was the frybrid kit with the various hose connectors? I think I must of wasted a dozen hours going back and forth to McMaster for different fittings.

a2t · #24 07-05-2007, 11:44 PM

Frybrid kit was pretty good with connectors. Few things pissed me off -

All the fuel tstat, LP, IP, main filter housing barbs were 5/16 but the Frybrid valves are all 3/8 and all they supply you with is 3/8 hose. I got a few "just tighten hose clamps tighter" responses before I went and got proper 5/16 hosing. Only problem with that, ofcourse, is stretching 5/16 hose over their 3/8 hydraforce valves. What they *should* of done is supply 3/8-5/16 adapters for valves. They acted put out by that suggestion, said its different for every vehicle how can they design for every vehicle? Easy, supply little adapters...

Other than that, all fittings were decent. I hate NPT threads and had some issues with coolant leaks on their terminating fittings at 1st but all thats fine now. Would have like to see standard threads, custom terminating fittings but that would drive cost up.

The VO controller is simple circuit board but Im sure they had to have it made specially. Cant see paying $500 for one of those but whatver. It works and works well!

Only problem I seem to have at moment is loosing prime on Dino - engine stalls on switch back when its really hot. Sure its an air leak on the D2 side (prob due to stretch hose!).

8k miles and counting.

RNCarl · #25 07-06-2007, 12:34 AM

Two tank - two tank - two tank

In orderof my preference using my non-scientific research:

1. Frybrid - with cavets listed above in a2t's posts.

1. Vegistroke - if you own a Ford PSD.

2. & 3. maybe interchangeable:
Plant Drive - two tank
Grease car with plate heater.

4. Fossil Free Fuel ONLY because I haven't seen pictures of their system.

5. Golden Fuels BECAUSE I have seen pictures of his system AND because of a narrative given in the eBay listing when he was trying to sell his Jeep
Liberty CRD.

There are some other knock off systems that I wouldn't bother with.

dukegrad98 · #26 07-06-2007, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RNCarl

5. Golden Fuels BECAUSE I have seen pictures of his system AND because of a narrative given in the eBay listing when he was trying to sell his Jeep
Liberty CRD.

Can you elaborate or post a link, please? I've been impressed with the GFS folks I have met, so I'd like to know more.

Cheers, John

grindMARC · #27 07-06-2007, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a2t

Only problem I seem to have at moment is loosing prime on Dino - engine stalls on switch back when its really hot. Sure its an air leak on the D2 side (prob due to stretch hose!).

8k miles and counting.

Aww, come on. That should be easy enough to troubleshoot. How many D2 connections did you need to make? 3? 4? I had a TINY air issue on the VO side that I finally got around to troubleshooting the other day. It would only happen when the VO tank (OEM tank on my car) was lower than half full.

Use a clear inline filter and put it in front of your first D2 connection and then move it forward toward the IP as you confirm that the air is not coming in prior to that point. You'll have it narrowed down in 30 mins tops!

grindMARC · #28 07-06-2007, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RNCarl

4. Fossil Free Fuel ONLY because I haven't seen pictures of their system.

I haven't seen their ENTIRE kit yet either, but I can't say enough good things about these guys and their commitment to VO conversions. I saw a TDI that they converted last summer. It is hands down the cleanest and most tech-advanced install I have ever seen. Bar none. I met Dave about a year ago and he spent no less than 30 mins with me while I barraged him with questions about my plans for my install. His input really helped me alot.

WD8CDH · #29 07-06-2007, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a2t

Frybrid kit was pretty good with connectors. Few things pissed me off -

All the fuel tstat, LP, IP, main filter housing barbs were 5/16 but the Frybrid valves are all 3/8 and all they supply you with is 3/8 hose. I got a few "just tighten hose clamps tighter" responses before I went and got proper 5/16 hosing. Only problem with that, ofcourse, is stretching 5/16 hose over their 3/8 hydraforce valves. What they *should* of done is supply 3/8-5/16 adapters for valves. They acted put out by that suggestion, said its different for every vehicle how can they design for every vehicle? Easy, supply little adapters....

3/8" is the right size hose for those hose barbs. You cut the clear hard hoses off before the barb leaving a stub of the old hose still on the barb. The 3/8" hose fits neatly over the stub.

grindMARC · #30 07-06-2007, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WD8CDH

3/8" is the right size hose for those hose barbs. You cut the clear hard hoses off before the barb leaving a stub of the old hose still on the barb. The 3/8" hose fits neatly over the stub.

Ha, the greasecar approach! Personally, this seems really sketchy to me, but there are alot of installations done this way. Greasecar suggests you leave alot more than a "stub" of hose. In fact, they suggest you insert the entire length of the hose inside the larger hose. There's a thread on their first page of their forums about this.