This thread really isn't diesel forum material, but its perfect for this one.

I hate this whole WVO thing. I have seen some nice older MB's turned into greasy trash. Engine compartments hacked so bad you cannot figure out how the fuel gets to the IP. To top it off all the lines are done as cheaply and amature as possible. Would it kill them to actualy buy decent fuel line and fittings, and run them in a professional looking manner? I'm sure some people must, but I have yet to see one that wasn't done as cheaply as possible.


I don't really mind when people convert a beater, but there are so few nice W123's and W126's left, I hate seeing those ruined.


Biodiesel is cool, I'd buy it if I could get it at the pump. But biodiesel doesn't really damage anything, and you don't have to modify the car.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Hey man !!
What did I ever do to you ?!



Seriously – I agree with you.

You’ll be happy to know that I have done no modifications to my 123 to run it on WVO. I find it easier to just modify the WVO for the given climate. At one time, I did run a line from the primary filter up behind the back of the valve cover to a stainless pipe that looped fore and aft over the exhaust manifold. All was done in a tight, professional manner. But then I figured what’s the point? Just dilute the WVO with RUG or diesel.
So out came the only mod done to the car. No holes drilled. Just zip-ties an hi-temp rubber standoffs around the pipe were used. The only way you can tell I’m into WVO is by the smell it makes. At one time I did get some on the seal ring around the tanks filler neck, and it got all freaked out. But I needed a new one anyway as it was all split around the edges. Did buy a block heater for it, for those really cold nights (like 20s around here). But I don’t call that a hack.

I’m sure there are a lot of hacked up 123’s up north. I’m not happy about that either. But as for down here. No reason to do so. I love running on WVO. And now, I’m happy to say that I am not part of the “whole WVO thing”.

For those that wish to jump in here with all you have about how it’s killing my 123. Or turn this into some hot debate. Have at it. But don’t expect me to care, or reply. I’ve been doing it for years, and thousands of miles. I’ve noticed nothing but a change in smell and a little loss in power. It’s my “around town cruiser” so I’m not too worried about the power loss. It’s worth it, every time I drive past a station and giggle at the price of fuel.

I do pay a Texas State Experimental Fuel Tax. So don’t anyone jump my a-- about that issue either. I do run a can of Diesel Purge through it every six months or so. Some folks here hate that thought too. Sorry - Been doing that for years as well.

Hate whoever/whatever you want to hate. I’m not to keen on hacking up a nice 123 either.

So I didn’t.

(I'm off my box now. )

EDIT:
I’ve owned mine since new. I’m thinking of selling it this next spring. I simply don’t drive it that much anymore. I feel there are still folks out there that would love to have an old 123, and would take good care of it. It’s into the 300K range, but still in very nice shape for it’s age.

Prior to selling it (based solely on all the attitudes out there about WVO). I might run the WVO out of it, and then run a tank of straight diesel through it. I’ll sell it with a full tank of diesel, and unless I mention having ever run it on WVO, I’m willing to bet anyone here that they wouldn’t be able to tell I ever did.

__________________
1980 300D - Veggie Burner !

That's the problem. Most are total newbies who know little to nothing about cars or diesels. They buy one thinking they can simply put a tank in the trunk, get some free grease, filter it and throw it in their tank. Then wham-bam-thankyou-mam they have run it's value into the ground, killed it's reliability, and turned the trunk into something from behind a restaurant's fryer.

It does not matter if they have a solid gold, platinum plated conversion blessed by the Pope that gets the oil to 180*F in 3 seconds. The engine was never made to use it, the oil was never intended to be a fuel and it's not good for the environment if it's being used in a 20+ year old car with a gigillion miles and 80's emissions standards.

I do like the idea of commercially made biofuels (Except corn ethanol), but I despise the homemade biofuel fad.

I got the solution for you hattie.


Drive a gasser. They get decent mileage, and less people hack them up...


Not to mention they are quick... Stock...

__________________
-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

90% chance of my next MB being gas.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

The hackery and wild claims are what give WVO/SVO a bad name. I seriously looked into a Grease Car 2-tank system even before I bought my TD. I have a number of friends/acquaintances that own restaurants so getting WVO wouldn't be a problem plus I can get my hands on 55gal. drums and 275 gal. totes if I really wanted some. But I have a few things working against that right now, 1) my current driving habits aren't conducive to running grease, 2) time to collect and filter and 3) space to filter and store.

I do plan on buying either a diesel Suburban or crewcab pickup when I sell my Wrangler to tow my boat around with and I'd like to get a travel trailer and get the family camping within the next year or so now that we can get away for long weekends or even weeklong trips. I may very well re-explore that route at that point since I am such a cheap ba$tard and if I can drive 500 or 1000 miles for nothing (well, cost of a good 2 tank system aside) I probably would. We also have a '96 E350 w/a Powerstroke at work that's in great shape, always received whatever maintenance it needed w/250K on the odometer that we plan on retiring this year. I've considered buying that for $500 and finding a conversion van to strip the interior out of for a cheap tow vehicle to experiment with.

If I had the time, space and attention to detail I'd probably dabble with homebrew biodiesel but right now that's not even a consideration. If I could buy some bio-d at the pump I'd do it right now. There are some fairly local companies that sell it, but they only have B5 (may have B20 soon) and they won't sell it by the vehicle tank-full. They will sell you 275 gals. at a time but I don't have the room. I've got 3 trucks here at work that I'd run on bio-d, too if I could get it. Granted, being in the agricultural business it would be mainly as a marketing ploy. But I do feel that bio-d is a viable alternative fuel and I'd rather make some American farmers rich instead of the Middle East. Although, like you, I think we should suck the M.E. dry and cut off it's head.

__________________

1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

I wouldn't hack up my wagon for a grease conversion, thought about it a first though. Actually, most of the diesel guys here told me not to do it. If I had a rust bucket/beater, sure why not.

Clean, no stories, 123 wagons aren't easy to find these days (esp. in states that have snow), so mine will remain grease free.

__________________
'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

^^What he said!^^

Dirty, no stories, 123 wagons aren't easy to find these days (esp. in states that have snow) either, so mine will remain grease free.

__________________

1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

Dr. Diesel originally designed the diesel engine to run on vegetable oil, so farmers could produce their own fuel.

Unfortunately Dr. Diesel did not design Mercedes' engines and they are very little like his original engine.

Do you know of anyone who has actually "ruined" a nice W-123 or W-126 due to an improper WVO conversion? If so........I'd like to know about it......who was the individual and exactly where did you observe this vehicle?

And, if it bothers you to the point of posting a separate thread, I'd conclude that the behavior is pervasive and you can cite at least five examples.........correct?

So........let's see 'em.........

It might not "ruin" a car, but having a stinky WVO tank in my wagon's cargo area would be buzz kill. Smell like fast food and lose the space. I've seen the tanks fitted into the spare wheel well, but where do I put the spare?

Who puts out the most seamless, quality WVO package??

__________________
'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

People who drive jacked up trucks with bumpers at the level of my car's headrest bother me more than people who hack questionably collectible older Diesels. Stereos blasting over 130 dB, lowered cars that can't take a speed bump or pothole at a decent speed, 24" rolling slabs that cut braking distance in half, etc. Those are bigger concerns to me than running/ruining an old MB on WVO.

My experience with a 50/50 WVO/pump Diesel blend is the engine runs quieter, smoother and cooler. In contrast this ULSD garbage isn't doing the IP a lick of good if performance and mpg are any indication. I don't know if it's saving the world but if I get more miles per dollar over the duration the car is worth keeping, maybe that's a good trade for having a car that's worth less (or worthless) at the end of that duration. What was the value of the new timing chain in the 93 SD I totalled?

On some MB mailing list, there was a fellow, possibly a troll, who asked about what chains to use on the gullwing he inherited so he could take it skiing. The debate boiled down to one's responsibility to keep a classic in mint condition vs enjoying one's freedom. It's a debate with no winner and no end.

Sixto
87 300D

I did a fair amount of research into the GreaseCar 2-tank system before I decided against it mainly due to my driving habits. While there were some issues with the switchover valves, it did seem to be designed well. They're relatively close by to me so if there were a problem it would be easier than dealing with someone across the country.

Seamless for us (especially for you in MN) is somewhat relative since if we were to run WVO year-round it would have to be a 2 tank system requiring switching over once the temp. is built up.

Frybrid is another system that looks well though out. I'm sure there are others (probably even by some fellow forum members) but since I didn't go that route my research stopped.

__________________

1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

Since I have nothing to add, I'm just going to buy into this.

__________________
-Marty

1986 300E 220,000 miles+ transmission impossible
(Now waiting under a bridge in order to become one)

Reading your M103 duty cycle:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/831799-post13.html
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/831807-post14.html