Good models for WVO
 

Hi folks....may be replacing our old W123 in the next year. The OM617 has been a fantastic WVO motor. That said, I know the W123's are good for WVO conversion, and so are W124's, but what about W210's or newer.

I guess what I am asking is not so much platform, but what motor (in what platform) is a good candidate for WVO.

Thank and forgive me if this has been beat to death before but inquiring minds would like some suggestions.

Thanks,

Glenn

I have seen cdi's with conversion.Its a little harder with computer controlled diesels.

W210's are as easy and cheap to convert as W123's. The challenge with the 606 fuel system in the W210 is understanding how the fuel is routed and then rerouting it, correctly, for VO use. Not hard to find out, or do.

CDI's can be converted, but the high pressure common fuel rail system is more expensive to convert because it requires a high pressure lift pump and high pressure valves. Once you get to newer engines, with diesel particulate filters in the exhaust system and regeneration cycles by the fuel injection system, you have to remove some things and reprogram the fuel injection system.

In general, computerized fuel systems are best with biodiesel blends, and mechanically controlled fuel systems are good with SVO or B100 systems.

2005 CDI
 

I can tell you that a 2005 E320 CDI is a great two tank SVO car. Conversion was more money because I purchased a Raw power fuel pump $500. But man what a great car, easy to work on highly reliable. Good power and handling. 200 miles for every gallon of diesel fuel purchased.

I would not run wvo,or wmo unless ww3 had ruined the land

That is wonderful news.

But, what are you doing trolling the alt. fuels forum ?

I think that is a legitimate question.

Pardon my ignorance on the subject, but if you're going to be cleaning and filtering WVO to use as fuel, how much more work is it to add the lye and methanol and do a little bit more processing to have "real" biodiesel, which then avoids all the hassle of modifying the fuel system on the car?

Perhaps I just haven't researched this enough yet, but it seems to me that I'd rather spend the $$$ on a little bit more stuff to have in the shop to make biodiesel and not mess with the car at all, than installing a two-tank system in the car, with all the associated fuel heaters, valves, etc.

Thoughts?

Below is my opinion on the subject. My opinion is based on my experience with VO. I have no experience with making or using biodiesel, but I have read a bit on the subject. I don't know everything, but here is what I think:

100% Bio diesel will eat every bit of rubber in your fuel system. So, there is a lot you have to "modify" to run B100 for any length of time.

B100 is toxic. The chemicals used to make B100 are toxic. The chemicals cost money. I read that it costs up to $1/gallon to make B100.

B100 congeals in the 40's F ( I have read ). I can run my 2 tank VO system at -20 F.

Vegetable oil fuel is eatable. With a flash point of over 600 F, it is safe to store and transport. (I don't know the flash point of B100, but diesel is 125 F).

A cold up-flow system for processing vegetable oil can be assembled for less then $100. I do not know how cheap a Bio diesel processing system can be made.

A home made 2 tank system can be installed in a weekend for less then $500.

I considered the hazards and decided not to do biodiesel.

No toxic & hazardous materials, no danger to firefighters, no worry about dain bramage, garage go boom, or toxic waste cleanup when transferring the property.

I was told the other day-- and cannot confirm-- that wmo needs to be filtered much much mnore before being used in the cdi models.

I have NO proof to back this up.

Does anyone know from experience?

I am thinking of using a gravity-flow 1 micron or 5 micron filter as an experiment.

My POV.


You must filter VO to make biodiesel as a first step.

You also must filter VO to use straight. But then you are done. No more processing.

You modify the vehicle one time for WVO. Done.

WVO= much less time commitment. 0 toxic chemicals. Minimal processing equipment. Cheaper. Ability to run in cold weather. Tastes great.

I'm right there with you up to the "tastes great" part.

I tell people that the fuel is safe and "you could eat it". I also tell then you would most likely gag on it, and might throw up, but, you would not die.

How about meeting in the middle (or a little to one side of the middle)? Make and use Biodiesel but dilute it 50/50 or 60/40 with WVO?

I'm making Biodiesel now and am going to start adding WVO within the next week or so. I will probably start out with a 70/30 or even 80/20 Biodiesel/WVO due to the slightly sub-tropical temps here in Louisiana during the winter.

Straight VO should not be used below 160 F.
B100 gels at 40+ F.
I don't know the properties of diesel blended fuel let alone B100/SVO blend.

I don't think you can run B100 in the winter without a heated fuel system. I understand that winter is a relative term. It is currently 8 F here, probably not 8 F there.

So, do it.
Please keep notes and let us know how it goes.