('87 300SDL) As I've stated in other posts I am wanting to run a blend of #2 and WVO. I was thinking/hoping to run 75% tops WVO unless I could run an even higher one. Anyways, I've read a lot about people adding in-line fuel heaters or heat exchangers in there engine bays, would the heating be okay even if there was diesel in the lines? The other threads I've read weren't really clear on it. I just wanted to make sure that I'm not going to turn my SDL into a rolling inferno

Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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should be ok. Don't quote me on that. I know that the hotter the better though. On most jet aircraft the fuel is heated to 200+ F before being sent to the engines..... Seems that the diesel should be ok....

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1983 Mercedes 300SD
1987 Mercedes 300SDL
2001 VW Passat 2.8 AWD
2007 OM642 Jeep WK 4x4

One of the functions of the diesel return is cooling of the fuel, so I am told.
As you heat diesel, you diminish its lubricating qualities. Clearly an experiment which seems unlikely to have favorable results.
I have my inline electric heater right before the IP, with a switch that turns it off when on diesel, of course. My coolant heating remains exclusively on the veg side. If I ever were to put diesel in that tank, I would put simple ball valves in the coolant lines. If you can do this is dependent on your plumbing situation.
Heatings blends is a whole different realm of experimentation.....
Document your triumphs and failures so we can all learn from it.

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Think Alternative Energy!
300CD '80 (now gone but not forgotten...)

the only reason not to heat diesel is that it is already a lousy lubricant cold and it gets even worse heated. if you're running it blended with WVO you're not worried about the diminished lubrication of the diesel.

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Jeff
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1982 300D Turbo 150K
PlantDrive Single tank WVO conversion
6000 veggie miles and counting!
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1985 Ford F250 - 132K
PlantDrive Two-tank WVO conversion
15,000 veggie miles and counting...

Driving for FREE!

Well! Learn somthing every day! Guess I should put the heater on the wvo side only then eh?

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1983 Mercedes 300SD
1987 Mercedes 300SDL
2001 VW Passat 2.8 AWD
2007 OM642 Jeep WK 4x4

David,
It would be useful to retain the fuel heater for diesel as well, just ensure that the diesel is a blend of at least 2% WVO and it will be fine. The WVO will boost the lubricity of the diesel and overcome the loss of lubricity of the diesel when heated.

If you don't want to do this, a ball valve to stop coolant flow when using straight petroleum oil (SPO) would be in order.
Tony
The Wizard of Oz.

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Tony from West Oz.
Fatmobile 3 84 300D 295kkm Silver grey/Blue int. 2 tank WVO - Recipient of TurboDesel engine.
Josephine '82 300D 390kkm White/Palamino int.
Elizabeth '81 280E, sporting a '79 300D engine.
Lucille '87 W124 300D non-turbo 6 cylinder OM603, Pearl Grey with light grey interior


Various parts cars including 280E, 230C & 300D in various states of disassembly.

I got the Harbor Freight tool and I think it will work great. The thing is however that the grease dumpster that I have permission to take out of has a metal grate covering the hole. It looks like most grease dumpsters however in that it has a small door on the top. I forgot to check but would a big door possibly open up so I could get the large pipe of the pump down into it?

Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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Tony,
I am a little surprised to hear you say this. What you are recommending is full-on heating a mix of 98% diesel and 2% veg oil?!?
This sounds more like speculation than science, and a little too reckless with the IP for my tastes. Has anyone compliled data about the lubricity on this? It would also be dependent on the type of oil used, how well it is blended, ect.

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Think Alternative Energy!
300CD '80 (now gone but not forgotten...)

I don't think he's necessarily saying to do so, rather that it should be safe so long as there is a decent amount of WVO in the tank. I plan to have way more than 2% but I'm pretty sure than that 50%, etc. will be sufficient for lubrication. BTW, do you guys happen to know of a place I could maybe buy an in-line heater then? That way I could just turn it off if I'm running mainly diesel.

Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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I know it ruffles peoples feathers sometimes to mention commercial stuff regarding veg oil (!), but you asked; and the Vegtherm warrants a serious look. No affiliation, other than I use it and it works great. One of the few products specifically made for veg. Neoteric Biofuels designed and sells it, nice folks. It does draw on the MBZ alternator, an upgrade to that Saab unit is eventually in order for my setup.
You might ask what they think of heating blends, it is so efficient that I wouldn't want diesel running through it; a blend may be fine.
Coolant exchangers may be enough for thin blends, but if I were to run single tank for a long time, I would prefer the flip-of-the-switch instant heat.

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Think Alternative Energy!
300CD '80 (now gone but not forgotten...)

Heating diesel to coolant temp shouldn't be a problem as it is still well below the flashpoint and it is also contained in the fuel system without exposure to air (oxygen) so there should be very little issue with accidental ingition. An effective coolant heat exchanger should have no problem heating the blend to coolant temp. My only reservation would be the returning of the heated diesel to the stock fuel tank. Driven long enough you would have a pretty hot fuel tank which would be filled partially with air. This could lead to problems and maybe even condensate issues over time. Just a thought... RT

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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

ditto here. i have the vegtherm 'standard' on my 300D; it draws ~20A and I haven't had any problem. on my truck i'm running a vegtherm 'mega', which draws ~30A - i'm sure the alt wouldn't keep up with it.

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Jeff
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1982 300D Turbo 150K
PlantDrive Single tank WVO conversion
6000 veggie miles and counting!
-----------
1985 Ford F250 - 132K
PlantDrive Two-tank WVO conversion
15,000 veggie miles and counting...

Driving for FREE!