diesel/veg oil info needed - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

doGraef · #1 08-30-2004, 12:17 PM

I am new here to this board and I am hoping that someone might be able to give me some info on using vegetable oil in my 77 300D. Is there an easy mix or additive package that can be created that does not require going all the way to bio-diesel? I would greatly appreciate any information.

Mark DiSilvestro · #2 08-30-2004, 12:35 PM

I'm also interested in info on alternative fuels for diesels. Specifically, I've heard horror stories about people paying huge fines for using untaxed fuels in diesels and that, technically, it could be a violation to use anything (including Veg oil & bio-diesel) instead of road-taxed diesel fuel.

Happy Motoring, Mark

R Leo · #3 08-30-2004, 12:45 PM

Use Search and all will be revealed.

doGraef · #4 08-30-2004, 01:14 PM

Mark, from what I understand, there is no penalty/fine for using alternative fuels, the fine is for using fuel that is exempt from taxation for the purpose of farm related activity, which vegetable oil does not fall into that category.

jseries · #5 08-30-2004, 01:30 PM

These links are more geared for biodsl but still worth a read.

http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_bikes.html

http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/eve/ubb.x

http://www.biodiesel.org/

Mark DiSilvestro · #6 08-30-2004, 01:35 PM

Since my '84 Accord has been down for 2 weeks with a sick carburetter, I've been considering possible replacement, maybe even a diesel. I did a search. Tales about TRUCK owners fined for untaxed fuel but no one could recall any instances of a passenger CAR being snagged for untaxed fuel. This doesn't mean it couldn't happen. My concern is the wording 'untaxed fuel' could easily be applied to anything besides heating oil and farm fuel.

Some mention of a toxic pollutant called 'Acrolein' as a byproduct of bio-fuels.

More discussion about bio-fuels causing fuel hose deterioration.

A website listed about applying for govt. exemptions to use altenative fuels but my browser was blocked from access.

Some talk about the pitfalls of persons 'cooking' their own batches of bio-fuel.

I'm still thiking about a diesel but I suspect, if bio-fuels become more popular, the 'long arm of the law' may reach out to diesel cars, much as it does now for moonshine stills and meth labs!

Happy Motoring, Mark

jseries · #7 08-30-2004, 02:53 PM

Dyed fuel smokes...I just made a 900 round trip and accidentally put dyed/offroad dsl in my truck(ford 6.9). They only sell dyed fuel where I live at grange/Cenex/farm supply places or marinas so wasn't used to finding offroad fuel at a conventional gas station. Anyway I just grabbed the green nozzle after reading all the 'how you wanna pay...cash, credit card, which card, pay inside, how to activate pump blah blah " at the top and didn't see the little blue sticker at the 'bottom' about offroad fuel. I went and paid and she asked for name/address and I said no way. She's says it's the law in WA. Untaxed fuel has to be accounted for. I go huh? We get that snafu worked out and I pay the tax and get a receipt for taxes paid to show a cop if stopped because it smokes and is obvious. Yup...the dye smokes. I had 10 gal clean fuel in each tank and added 10 gal dyed to each for a 50/50 mix and yeah boy it smokes. Now that it's burned up and running clean 'taxed' fuel again(maybe <10% dyed still in tanks) smoke is gone.

So far as untaxed fuels goes I think you can run anything you want on the road SVO/WVO/BioD etc but "dyed" offroad/marine dsl on the road is a no-no.

Smooooth · #8 08-30-2004, 03:37 PM

Check out this site for the best 'peer to peer' information regarding WVO.

http://www.greasecar.com/forum.cfm

We are going to be converting the 300SDL using a Greasecar Kit. I am already acquiring the oil weekly and getting it filtered to last me through the winter months.

The kit should pay for itself in 1 year and then its free fuel from then on. I consider it a labor of love - thus I don't count my time in the financials.

Some of my photos can be seen at www.qsl.net/wa2fdu/wvo
Nothing fancy.......

Stephen

Mark DiSilvestro · #9 08-30-2004, 03:41 PM

You can, and people do seem to run almost anything in their diesels. In an era where governments are crying 'deficit' and looking for more creative ways to squeeze the citizens, my concern is can the tax laws be read to penalize those who are using bio-fuels.

Happy Motoring, Mark

R Leo · #10 08-30-2004, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Some mention of a toxic pollutant called 'Acrolein' as a byproduct of bio-fuels.

Acrolein is present in ALL automobile exhaust, diesel or gasser. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts124.html

kip Foss · #11 08-30-2004, 10:25 PM

Check out www.greasel.com

I am running my tractor, generator set, and sometimes my 115/300d on various mixtures of wvo (my son works at Whataburger and gets if free) and I must say that unless you are doing 40k a year it probably isn't worth the effort, esp. if you live where it is cold and have to install a fuel heating system. I run tax free fuel in my tractor and gen set at $1.00 a gal. so unless I am really going to run the house for a month or so on the gen set I don't really spend a lot on fuel. The 115/300d only does about 100 miles a week so there isn't a lot of expense there.

The transport, filtering, mixing, storage, etc. is really messy and unless you have an area out of the way your workshop/garage will end up looking like the back of a hamburger stand.

I found out today that if you use white plastic 55gal. drums to store your fuel in you have to keep them in the shade. Sunlight causes bacteria to grow and clog your filter.

If you have to go the two tanks in the car and the heating system I can't really see that a person would save enough to make the effort pay off.

Old300D · #12 08-30-2004, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kip Foss

Check out www.greasel.com

...
If you have to go the two tanks in the car and the heating system I can't really see that a person would save enough to make the effort pay off.

It's not as bad as you think. I spent a little time researching and scrounging parts, and spent a total of $350 for my system. It paid itself off in 6 months, and my exhaust smells much better.

rwthomas1 · #13 08-30-2004, 11:43 PM

Kip,
I just filled up my truck and my MB yesterday at $1.89/gallon for 50+gallons it ain't cheap. Granted collecting, hauling, filtering, etc. of WVO is a PITA I can get it for free. Even if the conversion cost is $500/vehicleX3=$1500 for my fleet. My fuel bill for the year just broke $1500 and thats only 2/3rds of the year. Conversion would pay for itself in 8months. If I have to assign a cost of the WVO processing I would estimate no more than an hour a week once I get things up and running. I am working on a pretty much hands off filtering system so the only hassle is collection. Once I get the mobile collector and pump figured out this should take 15-30 minutes a week. Even at my hourly work rate (which you can't hardly charge yourself) this will cut my fuel bill in half. RT

coachgeo · #14 08-31-2004, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark DiSilvestro

...
Some mention of a toxic pollutant called 'Acrolein' as a byproduct of bio-fuels.
..
Happy Motoring, Mark

First there was a HUGE discussion here and elsewhere about the acrolein issue There is a link in a thread on this forum to the other discussion . Its a good read. A search for Acrolein in this forum should find it pretty easy.

Second the undoubtedly best IMHO bulletin board forum on the subject of WVO fuel is HERE . The FAQ's at the top will lead you to a good bit of stuff specific to MB conversions and specific to 300D conversions for WVO use. Keep a keen eye out for info on the banjo bolt air bleed issue. Nothing difficult but will save you time to know this info in advance. I also recomend you read the links in the FAQ too General/generic conversions as well as to info about building/using WVO collecting tools.

#15 08-31-2004, 02:40 AM

I have some links here and here. I haven't done it, but I know of at least one person here who has, djugurba.