Converting to SVO - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Renntag · #16 03-14-2012, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mario Slipac

the only thing that comes to mind is I would loop the return line to the heater coil of the intake lines so that the grease remains in the system.

This was a great answer.

It is really neat looking back 10 years or so and seeing what info was shared regarding SVO use. The comments about oil gelling and not needing to heat it or "it's warm here so it doesnt matter" are all quite comical.

For anyone researching the subject, use of SVO or Straight Vegetable Oil requires heating to 170*F prior to injection in order for the oil to be of the same viscosity as diesel. Once the oil is at this temp it will have the correct spray pattern from the injectors and thus burn properly at compression.

The motor is shut down on diesel to purge the VO from the system to ensure healthy start up regardless of ambient temp.

Even if it is 100*F ambient, oil is not going to be 100*F at the injectors at start up, thus starting will be hard, VO will not atomize properly and ring land coking and carbon build up will result. All of these issues are avoided by bringing the motor to full operating temp with Petroleum diesel and then switching over to VO. The return side is also switched over but in VO mode is redirected to the VO supply line. This is called "Closed loop". Keeping the return or bypass stream in a loop retains the heat in the oil ensuring that oil is injected at 170*F.

Note: You never want to heat the oil in the tank unless ambient temps are below freezing. Even then only a small amount of heat is needed at the pick up tube. VO still flows fine at freezing temps. Some varieties will start to cloud above freezing but will still flow.

Any of the members posting on VO early in the new millennium actually using it today?

xalu · #17 05-16-2012, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renntag

This was a great answer.

It is really neat looking back 10 years or so and seeing what info was shared regarding SVO use. The comments about oil gelling and not needing to heat it or "it's warm here so it doesnt matter" are all quite comical.

For anyone researching the subject, use of SVO or Straight Vegetable Oil requires heating to 170*F prior to injection in order for the oil to be of the same viscosity as diesel. Once the oil is at this temp it will have the correct spray pattern from the injectors and thus burn properly at compression.

The motor is shut down on diesel to purge the VO from the system to ensure healthy start up regardless of ambient temp.

Even if it is 100*F ambient, oil is not going to be 100*F at the injectors at start up, thus starting will be hard, VO will not atomize properly and ring land coking and carbon build up will result. All of these issues are avoided by bringing the motor to full operating temp with Petroleum diesel and then switching over to VO. The return side is also switched over but in VO mode is redirected to the VO supply line. This is called "Closed loop". Keeping the return or bypass stream in a loop retains the heat in the oil ensuring that oil is injected at 170*F.

Note: You never want to heat the oil in the tank unless ambient temps are below freezing. Even then only a small amount of heat is needed at the pick up tube. VO still flows fine at freezing temps. Some varieties will start to cloud above freezing but will still flow.

Any of the members posting on VO early in the new millennium actually using it today?

I am just about to convert my 81 300D to a dual tank system. I live in Rochester, NY and I want to run it through the winter to save on my commute to college every day. The cost of diesel is quickly becoming an issue. I'd run Biodiesel, but there is no suppliers in the area at all, and don't have the room for a processor.

In response to your above post, you say not to heat the tank. I am curious why you don't think it's a good idea? I was going to do a hose in hose line, with a coil in the tank to heat the oil. I was also kicking around the idea of using an electric heater so I wouldn't need to run the coolant hose.

grease lightnig · #18 05-19-2012, 09:00 PM

Diesel was $1.39 per gallon when I started running WVO. I started to make biodiesel also. I have not made biodiesel in many years but I have two current cars running on WVO. Biodiesel is much harder than WVO. In 2000 it was a lot easier to get grease. I take mine from the restaurant that I work at.
I have converted more than a dozen vehicles myself. Plus others. I am actually getting rather good at it. Everyone said that the CRD Jeep liberty was not going to work. It is my best conversion ever. I removed the spare tire and installed the tank there, it is really impressive. That was 50k miles ago and it is still running great. My wife drives it to work.
My next challenge is to do a 2005-06 E320 CDI. Only because those are easier to find than a CDI smart car.(that was a halfhearted joke.)

grease lightnig · #19 05-19-2012, 09:04 PM

Diesel was $1.39 per gallon when I started running WVO. I started to make biodiesel also. I have not made biodiesel in many years but I have two current cars running on WVO. Biodiesel is much harder than WVO. In 2000 it was a lot easier to get grease. I take mine from the restaurant that I work at.
I have converted more than a dozen vehicles myself. Plus others. I am actually getting rather good at it. Everyone said that the CRD Jeep liberty was not going to work. It is my best conversion ever. I removed the spare tire and installed the tank there, it is really impressive. That was 50k miles ago and it is still running great. My wife drives it to work.
My next challenge is to do a 2005-06 E320 CDI. Only because those are easier to find than a CDI smart car.(that was a halfhearted joke.)
I read some of my early posts from 2003. My 1993 300sd was an awful car but unique at the same time.