1999 E300 with Greasecar Kit: Thoughts, Cautions?
 

As I won't be able to get into a W211 for some time (need prices to drop considerably), I thought I'd try to pick up a W210 next (a 98 or a 99). There's a 99 E300 available locally for pretty cheap. It's "cosmetically challenged" but appears to be in good working order. It has a two tank Greasecar system installed. I've always been curious about playing around with one of these....sounds both fun and annoying at the same time.

Anyone have any experience with a Greasecar system in a W210? Thoughts, cautions?

Thanks.

I would want the car pretty cheap if it does not have too many total miles. Plus a serious compression check including leak down across the engine.

If it is currently running well there may be a chance it is still okay. Check the oil for any signs of vegetable oil in the base oil.

By and large some people do not mind alternative fuels but on cars that have used it you should be dilligent. You never can be sure of what others have put through it.

If compression numbers where substandard I would personally pass it by. There is a possibility it could become quite expensive to deal with if they are. You do not even want one cylinder reading low.

If its nearing the free price range I would get it......other wise.....run away.....

How many miles on the car ?
How many miles on VO ?
What are they asking for the car ?

I am not a fan of Greasecar kits because the design I am familiar with did not get the VO hot enough to run safely for the long term health of the engine. Not being a fan, I have not really looked at their systems in the last 5 years, so it could be just fine.

I run VO in all my cars and motor home. I would be very cautious about buying someone else's VO vehicle.

There are 2 big variables:
The fuel is home made. It could be good clean fuel with no water... or not. And... the quality of the fuel can vary from batch to batch.
Water in the fuel will ruin the IP.

The operator is the weakest link in the system. If they have switched over before the fuel is up to temp, or have not remembered to purge the fuel system before shut down, the rings will become impacted in their grooves. This happens over a long period of time.
Running cold VO will result in impacted rings eventually. (Water injection can reverse this damage in some cases.)

If the car has been run 100k on VO, then the operator has been using good fuel and good practices.

Of course I'll tell you to go for it :)

If it sat for any amount of time, the lines might have cholesterol formation. Hopefully running several tankfuls of biodiesel through both tanks will clean the system. Otherwise, you should at least get your money back.

Check resistance of each glow plug at the glow relay connector.

Might be a worthwhile trade for the '95 E300.

Sixto
87 300D