Is that really true? I seem to not think so. I read a study by a Caterpillar engineer saying that 40-50K miles there was notable coking. It seems some users have gotten pretty good mileage/distance out of the vegetable oil setups. My theory on vegetable oil is poor quality oil...

We got really into the biodiesel thing. I even managed the Utah Biodiesel group for several years. We now have a setup that stores and processes as much as 4000 gallons of vegetable oil. It heats, dewaters, centrifuges, and then filters the vegetable oil to less than 1 micron. It is completely utterly qualified for automotive use if there ever was one (we also sell the oil for anyone interested).

I figured if I focused heavily on heating the oil to adequate temps (near 200 or so) then I would be OK. Please clarify..

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Andre Shoumatoff - Park City, Utah
Diesel Engine Conversion Community

Welcome. Please take any and all comments regarding WVO on this forum with a level of skepticism.

There are individuals who will absolutely 100% condemn even carrying a jug of vegetable oil in a Mercedes for use in your home deep fat fryer for fear that it will somehow damage your engine.

There are some who will say "I squeeze it straight off my fries into the IP without trouble."

There is a minority who will provide reasonable advice.

And everyone will cite studies and/or experience to back up their points.

But as long as it's not related to politics, religion, national defense and/or health care it would be a welcome change.

You might want to use an alternator off an old Saab, around a 87 - 90 or so. they use the Bosch AL-129-X 115 amp. it is just slightly larger that the standard 65 amp Bosch MB uses. fits right in the same location. Just make a new wiring harness to an up graded larger wire.

You will have to knock off the serpintine belt pully for the V-belt pully.

Easy swap.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

great swap!

the two thick wires are the output (connect these to positive).

the small wire is the field coil. this alternator appears to have some limited ability to self-charge the field coil. that is, in normal operation, it will "just work". however, if that wire get shorted to ground while the engine is running, the alternator doesn't put out anything. short it to 12v for a second and the alternator comes back to life.

I've had that wire disconnected for almost a year and have only had to "jump start" the field coil (to get the alternator to charge) twice so far.

eventually I'll create an alternator controller. when under heavy acceleration, I'll short that wire and temporarily disable the alternator. then, when cruising speed is reached, bring the alternator back online.

project "GM Benz" has begun...

Has anyone here retrofit a high output GM alternator on an OM617 (or in my case an OM602 )? I didn't see any prior threads . These are easy to find /inexpensive and would provide plenty of power for any added electric fuel pumps, electric fuel heaters .

I know many who used to make bio, that now use WVO, no production costs and time required!

Just to give you a bit of direct experience as "Yak" suggested you may get:

I have had these following vehicles running on WVO with well designed kits and that were properly maintained:

79 Mercedes 240D 400,000 km on it 130,000 on WVO sold two years ago, still runs on WVO

81 Mercedes 240D 254,000 new to me, 20,000 on WVO

97 VW TD 100,000 on WVO, sold it as it needed a tranny. New owner ran it in to the ground and the body fell apart but never any engine repairs

99 VW TDI, 80,000 on WVO (daily driver), I have a friend with nearly 200,000 on VO and 500,000 total on a TDI with no engine issues (personally I can't believe his TDI still runs with half a million on it)

02 Ford F250 7.3 400,000, 180,000 on WVO (work truck)

Personally I know of at least 20 others running on VO, every one of them NO TROUBLES with the engine or IP except maybe replacing the fuel filters.

Now I am not going to say that it isn't possible to have issues. Using waste oil has many contaminants and it is usually always of varying qualities. If you want to get around this fact, use new oil. Always operate your system properly and make sure it is a good design, I've seen people pouring it straight in to their diesel tank....not a good idea!

dieslcruserhead: I would be glad to offer any more proof of VO use if you are still sitting on the fence.

And yes a Vegtherm is a good idea, Flat Plate heat exchanger may be overkill depending on your climate, ( I use one here but it is often -20 when we run on veg oil). Make sure you use a good filter (I've had very good luck with the Turbofyner) and Walbro makes an excellent reasonably priced pump that is good for VO If you are putting in a fuel temp gauge I recommend the digital cyberdyne oil temp gauge from Summit (it starts at 70F instead of 100F)

Also you may want to check out this, (it's a toyota with a OM617)

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-SUVs-trucks-vans-SUV-crossover-1989-Toyota-4Runner-Turbo-Diesel-5spd-SAS-38-5Sxs-7000-FIRM-W0QQAdIdZ176598296

http://www.jeepkings.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=101055

Good luck with your project

They have the same truck on Austin Texas craigslist for sale . I think it was offered for 1500.00.

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Experience : what you receive 3 seconds after you really needed it !!



86 300SDL 387,000? Motor committed suicide
81 300SD 214,000 "new" 132,000 motor
83 300SD 212,000 parts car
83 300SD 147,000

91 F700 5.9 cummins 5spd eaton 298,000
66 AMC rambler American 2dr auto 108,000
95 Chevy 3/4 ton auto 160,000
03 Toyota 4runner 180,000 wifes

Holy crap he's in Austin! I'll have to see if I can swing by and say hi.

Some great posts, particularly the ones on WVO and heating, thank you guys. I am pretty sold on WVO and I am also willing to take the risk. Good idea about the digital gauge as well. On this one though I'll probably use the matching autometer I believe however and I like slowly moving analog gagues versus digital that are always changing (I have a digital EGT gauge in my 2000 Power Stroke). I am also generally moving away from biodiesel and more towards SVO as well and plan to plumb all three of my diesels for WVO and/or even high blends of biodiesel in the winter. It does get quite cold here at 8000 feet in Utah as well so this is also why I think the hotplate will help...

Wonderful comments. I am excited to use the Saab alternator as well and read all of those threads. Here is the list of applications it fits - basically all '88 - '92 9000s.

* Brand: Bosch
* OEM: AL 129 X


Fits the following vehicles only:


Saab 9000, 86-88, 90-92
87-88 Fits Alternator Engine Base: 2.0 Liter
90 Fits Alternator Engine Base: 2.0 Liter
91-92 Fits Alternator Engine Base: 2.3 Liter
86-88 Alternator 115 Amp
90-92 Alternator 115 Amp

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Andre Shoumatoff - Park City, Utah
Diesel Engine Conversion Community