SVO/Biodiesel advantages/disadvantages - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

spark3542 · #46 03-27-2007, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrgrassi

A full race 350 is different than an assembly line 350. So modifying an assembly line engine can increase the wearing of the block. A specially built engine has been hardened where it needs to be. It is a cost vs. benefits, etc.

I run Bio D because I can buy it cheaper than pump diesel. I do not like being held hostage at the pump either. I do not make Bio becuase I do not have a good supply of oil, nor can I afford to buy the reactor and the methanol.

I would like to know where you can get a MB engine for $2000. The lowest price I found was $3300 for a long block w/IP at AutoZone. 3 yr/36,000 mile warranty. No idea who the supplier is. KIA means Killed In Action, so it is a disposable car anyway.

$2k is my estimate for a used motor, installed. I've seen ads in the $500 range, or a whole car for $975 right now. If I went new, and it was $3300 and $1000 to install it, then my WVO would have to get me 48,000 miles.

The KIA is absolutely a disposable car. I crumpled it up and threw it away at 119,000 (actually traded it for $1500). It cost me $.089 per mile to run, all costs except fuel and oil changes included. By far the cheapest way to travel (but you have to put up with being seen in a KIA).

aklim · #47 03-27-2007, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spark3542

You're going to respond that the benefits outweigh the costs, correct?

Sometimes, I wonder. while it is fun to drive and it is a 91 Vette and a dog I am fond of was born in 91 and named Vette, I wonder myself. There have been many days where I wonder if it was worth it after all.

aklim · #48 03-27-2007, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cephallus

Personally, I'd rather give $5k to my local engine rebuilder after 100k miles than give the balance to big oil.

Wouldn't matter to me. Money gone is money gone whoever it goes to if it isn't me. My checkbook register is kinda dumb. It doesn't know or care who gets the money. It just knows that it is lighter.

Old300D · #49 03-27-2007, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Wouldn't matter to me. Money gone is money gone whoever it goes to if it isn't me. My checkbook register is kinda dumb. It doesn't know or care who gets the money. It just knows that it is lighter.

More and more people differ on this issue than ever before. Where you spend your money is at least, if not more important than how you vote.

Spending your dough locally will concentrate the the economic benefit closer to home.

a2t · #50 03-27-2007, 10:31 PM

Quote:

I'm going to do both and swear off petro diesel just because I can.

fmb

Me 2! Already did, infact. You guys can read the whole story on my site below (look in whats in development section)

As for questions bout how my 87 300D turbo runs on WVO....EXCELLENT. Better than dino. And about 1/2 as loud. Idles smooth, accelerates smooth, sounds smooth, smells ... well, like WVO but hey thats better than the way diesel smells.

Cleaner on environment, cheaper than bio..and the #1 reason?? So I can kick OPEC squarely in the nuts!

The conversion wasnt simple (mainly because thats a tricky car), but all in all so worth it. That old benz can pull 100+ mph on WVO uphill, so I dont think theres any performance degradation.

Oh yeah, as for payback - it will take me about 35k miles to pay this off, as compared to petro at $2.50 /gal. Much shorter come hurricane season...

This includes all parts spend over the 35k miles. It does not include my labor time, since I did all the work myself. If you paid someone, Im guessing about 50-75k miles to payback at current prices.

Now if I kill a turbo or IP because of running WVO, obviously it wont pay back that quick. But with dual system which only runs HOT WVO thru IP, injectors, many many many ppl have 100's of thousands of miles with no issues whatsoever. I wouldnt, however just pour into diesel tank and hope for best. Keep following the blog on my site, you can read the trials and tribulations of all this if you are interested.

aklim · #51 03-27-2007, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old300D

More and more people differ on this issue than ever before. Where you spend your money is at least, if not more important than how you vote.

Spending your dough locally will concentrate the the economic benefit closer to home.

For all the good that has seemed to do. Besides, I vote for Mr LOTE.

Perhaps so. But the locals have to also give me something in return. I won't pay more because it is local. Interesting point tho. We do have cars that are NOT from the USA.

aklim · #52 03-27-2007, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a2t

So I can kick OPEC squarely in the nuts!

People keep saying this. However, unless enough people are going to do it ALL AT ONCE, it would be like an atom hitting an elephant. Negligible effect. Great Pyhrric victory.

veganxxx · #53 03-28-2007, 12:01 AM

www.fossilfreefuel.com
we don't have much info on our site so email or call the shop...

a2t · #54 03-30-2007, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

People keep saying this. However, unless enough people are going to do it ALL AT ONCE, it would be like an atom hitting an elephant. Negligible effect. Great Pyhrric victory.

Well...Im doin my part at least

In the end, you are right though, and we will never be able to stop the machine that makes so many ppl so rich. The FU factor is worth noting though!

But Im confused as to your wording.

A Pyrrhic victory is a victory with devastating cost to the victor.

benzhacker · #55 10-19-2010, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coleman kelly

Great to hear this bio discussion. I've made and run about 100 gallons of biodeisel through my 300 td. Again, the methanol can be recovered in a still, an extra step, but cleaner and cheaper. the glycerine may be made into soap, used for a low temp grease, or as a heat source in a waste oil type heater.
I've had no problems with power, in fact it runs perhaps a bit better. Had to change the filters within a week(BioD cleans the tank and lines of all their blackness or soot pretty quick I guess) and, I've it appears to be time for a filter change again. This is due largely I am guessing to a WVo experiment I tried a few weeks ago: Started the car with the tank almost empty, added 10 gallons of wvo and ran it 120 miles or so, got to where I was going and added 7 gallons of petroD. Car ran really nicely on this, mostly highway.
Anyway, I learned filtering is quite important. Anyone have a good oneboard system yet? something reuseable would be nice, or I heard of someone fashioning something from a roll of toilet paper.
I'm going out on the road in a month of so for about 2 months between texas and maine, if anyone is interested in learning about how to build a processor, I would be delighted to share the obsession and propagate this great tech.
Currently setting up a 1948 GMC coach to run on WVO.

Coleman,

Are you titrating your oil to determine acidity? What are your oil sources and what percentage are you finding you have had to reject? How are you drying your oil and what is your confirmed water percentage after drying? Are you using flash evaporation or chemical drying?

For the uninitiated reading this, the quality of the oil, relative acidity and the water content will affect both use in straight form (SVO/WVO) and in producing quality biodiesel. Bad oil will not result in good biodiesel, the conversion process cannot "save" oxidized acidic oil. -- Well managed fuel supply is what separates the positive experiences from the negative ones. I'm a little leary whenever I see folks mixing WVO with dino #2 except in emergencies.

Good luck and report back on your experiences.

-BH

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode