240 d (WVO conversion) starting problems
 

Hello,

I have recently bought and converted a 240d with the Elsbett system from germany. I have a good source for oil ( chip factory) and filter it down to a 1 micron filter. I have been running on straight WVO. I took it on a trip two days after driving it around with no problems, 240 miles into the trip the car lost power and I was straned at the side of the road, I was going to my wedding so my folks towed me the rest of the way, changed the fuel filter and still no luck in getting the engine to start. I then found (lucky me) a local shop that did work on mercedes he said to replace the springs and valves in the priming pump, did this as well as replaced the priming hand pump (had noticed a leak in the old one whenever I reprimed it. before I changed it I did notice a redish like substance (rust maybe? the car was owned by an old lady that did not drive it much I have already had to redo the rear brakes they were all rusty so I know the car had sat alot) in the prefilter, ran the car for four hours and then started home with the new bride (used her parents car to go on the honeymoon.) almost the same response about 240 miles into the trip the car does the same thing, I did think by now that all the oil I filtered maybe either wasn't filtered good enough or all the junk from the tank was the problem, I had bought extra filters as well, changed them again, and the car still won't start, the mechanic says to check all the fuel lines to see if there are leaks anywhere or its the pump housing that needs to be changed, any ideas i did notice that the prefilter has the same red looking gung in it but not as much, but if its just the fuel why doesn't the car start? I think it could be the main injection pump any ideas?

Set up a temp tank of clean fuel (d2) bypassing the veggie plumbing, if possible, and see if it will run.

Red stuff in the tank is probably either rust or algae; regardless will need to get cleaned out and new filters (2) installed.

Most veggie burners carry extra filters and swap them every couple K miles.

I don't know the elsbett system, but I do run a 2 tank system. Did it run well on diesel prior to conversion?

Please describe the elsbett system, is it basically electric line heat and extended glo on start?

Elsbett is a single tank "conversion" = junk.

TMAllison is right, purge all VO from the system and see if it will still run well on D2. If it does then there should be hope for it.

Elsbett have been doing veggy work for over 30 years, so they know a thing or two!--Considered by most as the very best in 'veggy-conversions'

My guess is as to why the no-start, is that the system isnt 'bled-through' properly. Pump primer until you can hear the pressure-regulator valve on the outlet of the I.P. make a sort of 'buzzing' noise, indicating all the air is out of the filters and the pump.

Re try starting which may need a bit of turning if the lines and injectors are full of air...

You Could have a blocked Tank-Strainer, if you are having difficulty drawing through fuel indicated by the reluctance of the primer-plunger to draw outwards, and wanting to pull itself back in.
Easy way to test, is swap the return and supply lines where they meet the steel lines attached to the inner wheel-house.....

Isn't Elsbett designed for SVO only Alstair??? In fact, don't they state their system may only be used with one type of veg oil too?

What about the red debris filling the filters. Is that normal for elsbett systems?

Not that I'm aware....

You can run std. diesel as well as veggy. They do however recommend only New rape-seed oil, to the Weinstephen standard is used.

(I believe this is mainly due to the polymerisation issues associated with Soy oils and the normal issues of moisture and crud in used-oils-WVO- as well as the high FFA content....)

As far as I know, the Elsbett S.T. system for M.B. OM-61x engines consists of modded Injectors, and a Heat-Exchanger. There may be more items for specific applications....

The crud in the filters could literally be anything. I doubt that the conversion has much to do with that. Maybe there was crud still in the oil/not filtered and De Watered properly or the tank itself was just full of crud the veggy is now liberating--Difficult to know without seeing it.....!

I think you need to clean system out. Put in some Startron Enzyme tank cleaner and let it sit overnight at least. I think it all comes from vehicle that sat unused and just needs to be well flushed out. Or maybe God was trying to tell you something, how did the new missus handle the breakdown, good test to see how she handles in a crisis. Reversing fuel lines should work once lines are clear unless tank is really gunked up. I've used air to blow out metal lines, taking gas cap off first.

I don't care if they have been doing it for a century, there is no such thing as a good single tank "conversion" by any manufacturer. Its a cheap-o shortcut way of running VO.

One thing I might do, Kessler, is put some kind of sight glass inline. Some folks get some transparent hose, which would do the same thing -- basically you need to be able to see whether you have air in your lines.

FWIW, I run a two-tank system, but from what I hear, the Elsbett system is no "short cut," it is pretty darn pricey and uses premium components -- which include their own injectors (??). Anyway, of course if your veggie isn't filtered will or has water in it, that's not good.

Good luck!

-Chuck

FYI, the current price for an Elsbett S.T. Conversion for a W123, 240D is 558.00 Sterling....

Summit near a Thousand Dollars....

(Guess you can get much cheaper TT conversions, but I doubt they would have the quality!)

Hardly a 'Cheap-O' Shortcut at near a grand, and I guess the OP didn't take very kindly to it being described as 'Junk'--All he wanted was just a little Help! :rolleyes:

Not all conversions are like Lovecrap, Some are actually Very good....;)

I did research for two months, before I started searching for a car, and elsbett was the best and from those i talked to even in the winter time didn't have any problems as long as they did a 70/30 mix of diesel with it. It includes glow plugs that glow longer and hotter, different injector tips designed for veggie oil, biodiesel,(regular diesel as well), a heat exchange unit to preheat the oil (one through the coolant and band heater unit on a larger fuel filter that you use to bypass it into. Tepcontrol sensor and a new relay for the glow plugs (remember hotter and longer) and of course all the fittings needed to replace all you fuel lines.
I will update you as soon as I get to try it out, I think by this next week I should finally have time to work on it, wow getting married changes a lot, moving, name changes. The Misses accually took it well, I was soposed to be back to work on that Monday instead, We had an extended honeymoon curtesy of AAA!!!!
Will let you you all know what I find out!

Elsbett is a quality kit but like any single tank system, it has limitations. It is designed to run on new rape-seed oil that meets some very high specs. Elsbett does not reccomend their single tank system for short trips because of the strain that it puts on the engine durring startup and warm up. Their two tank system is far better all around, especially with used cooking oil.

You have probably loosened crud from your fuel system. I would reccomend Startron and 25% veggie/75% diesel for a tank or two. And if you are planning to keep the car, upgrade it to two tank system. A 6 to 12 gallon tank should be plenty for startup/purge diesel.

How does it run by doing a diesel purge as outlined by DieselGiant?

Different kind of purge. Start on diesel (or biodiesel). When engine and WVO system is warm, switch to WVO. Shortly before shutting down, switch pack to diesel to PURGE out the WVO and replace it with diesel.