Alastair,

Funny coincidence! You really don't think that a second heated tank is needed? From what most people seem to say on the BioBoard, it is a must. Don't you have trouble starting from cold? I may try it for a tankful to see how it works, but am kind wary of ruining my IP. Can't wait for the book to arive, it seems like it is a must have for alternative fuel users. Thanks again for all the replys.

__________________
Sean Roland

2004 Saab 9-5 AERO 138k (for sale)
2000 VW Jetta GLS TDI 215k (sold)
1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 - 132k (sold)
1999 Saab 9-3se -- 84k (sold)
1986 MB 190e 2.3 16v -- 221K (sold)
1985 MB 190e 2.3 16v euro -- 145k (junked)
1992 Saab 9000t 5sp. -- 142k (sold)
1994 Subaru Legacy -- 264K (sold)
1998 Audi A4 1.8TQ -- 102k (sold)
1983 MB 240D stick -- 160k (sold)
1988 Saab 900SPG -- 156K (sold)
1983 MB 300D -- 270K project or parts (sold)
1986 MB 280SE Euro stick -- 150K (sold)

Hi SilverfishK8, No I can honestly say I have had no problem apart from the occasional blocking secondary (small plastic) filter in the main fuel feed, I replaced it with the largest type of Gasoline disposable filter, and change it when it gets to look black, Its funny, this filter gets dirty, but the main filter even after 20K miles remains clean! Suppose the first one in the line gets the main muck! I dont know what temp you have in your locale, but Ive used SVO down to -7 degrees Celcius, although that morning it was a bit sluggish to start! I use 10 % gasoline, lowest octane unleaded to blend if the weather is expected to be colder than about +5 deg C ( which is most of the time LOL )

The Book, I believe refers to making BioD out of oil, If this is the way you want to go, the best person to discuss problems and methods with would be Tilly on the Maui BioD forum, He has done many tests, and has come up with what seems to be quite a simple method of making the stuff, and is always pleased to help a Newbie. According to some posts I have read about Tickells Book, It has quite a few blinding errors in it, but I havent a copy myself, so cant really comment!!

When I tried making BioD first, Using Tillys World Famous Dr Pepper Method, (the reaction vessel used by Dr Tilly!) I worked to the simple single stage base method, 20% meth and 3.5 grams NaOH per liter of oil This gives a nice BioD using NEW oil, you need to increase the NaOH for used oil to combat the greater FFA (Free Fatty Acids ) present in used oil The best way is to do quite a few small 1 liter batches first, to see how the reaction goes, so you know what to expect when you do a large batch.

Personally , I stick to SVO, ( but will try some more experiments this summer if I can find some suitable oil!) cause all that messing about with chemicals and stuff is not needed with the Merc Motor, The secret is its Inline Injector pump-- Rotary pumps that most other things use are more sensitive to the Viscosity of the fuel, some like CAV RotoDiesel/ Lucas pumps cannot run SVO unless it is heated to at least 80Deg C, and would be damaged by a cold start on SVO

Im quite glad that Mercedes is rather old fashoned in its design, Tried and tested so to speak!


Alastair, At The alternative Fuel Promotion Div. SWC.

__________________
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...0TDnoplate.jpg

Alastair AKA H.C.II South Wales, U.K. based member

W123, 1985 300TD Wagon, 256K,
-Most recent M.B. purchase, Cost-a-plenty, Gulps BioDiesel extravagantly, and I love it like an old dog.

W114, 1975 280E Custard Yellow,
-Great above decks needs chassis welding--Really will do it this year....

Is SVO new, straight veggie oil poured right into your tank?

__________________
Jim

Hi, Engatwork, Yes, I go to my local Asda (War-Mart) and get the cheapest, usually Rape-seed oil, and chuck the stuff straight in!, When its cold weather I mix 10 % gas beforehand, as Ive said in previous posts-- Sometimes I get some strange looks whilst I do this, I cant understand why--- !!

Alastair, At Confusing the Natives Div. SWC:p

__________________
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...0TDnoplate.jpg

Alastair AKA H.C.II South Wales, U.K. based member

W123, 1985 300TD Wagon, 256K,
-Most recent M.B. purchase, Cost-a-plenty, Gulps BioDiesel extravagantly, and I love it like an old dog.

W114, 1975 280E Custard Yellow,
-Great above decks needs chassis welding--Really will do it this year....

i'm curious as to how the price of svo compares to the price of diesel? I know here in the u.s. it would be significantly more expensive.
hillbilly

I was wondering the same thing. I guess it shows how much I do not shop for veggie oil. I will stop by the local discount store and look at the pricing. Right now diesel is around $1.12/gallon.

__________________
Jim

I believe SVO can either be straight new veggie oil, or used. I plan on running my 300TD on used oil. It can be gotten for free from local fast food resturants that otherwise have to pay to have it taken away. I plan on filtering the oil down to 5um, but we'll see if this is enough...

__________________
Sean Roland

2004 Saab 9-5 AERO 138k (for sale)
2000 VW Jetta GLS TDI 215k (sold)
1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 - 132k (sold)
1999 Saab 9-3se -- 84k (sold)
1986 MB 190e 2.3 16v -- 221K (sold)
1985 MB 190e 2.3 16v euro -- 145k (junked)
1992 Saab 9000t 5sp. -- 142k (sold)
1994 Subaru Legacy -- 264K (sold)
1998 Audi A4 1.8TQ -- 102k (sold)
1983 MB 240D stick -- 160k (sold)
1988 Saab 900SPG -- 156K (sold)
1983 MB 300D -- 270K project or parts (sold)
1986 MB 280SE Euro stick -- 150K (sold)

The cost of Dino here is currently 75 pence per leter, as opposed to 38 pence for cheap rape seed oil in supermarket!:p

__________________
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...0TDnoplate.jpg

Alastair AKA H.C.II South Wales, U.K. based member

W123, 1985 300TD Wagon, 256K,
-Most recent M.B. purchase, Cost-a-plenty, Gulps BioDiesel extravagantly, and I love it like an old dog.

W114, 1975 280E Custard Yellow,
-Great above decks needs chassis welding--Really will do it this year....

Have you noticed any difference in exhaust smoke since switching over?

Thanks

Don

__________________
DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

Hi,
The smpke is generally less than on Dino, and the colour is grey as opposed to black under hard acceleration, just like a Gas car thats been driven at snails pace all week, then opened up on the free-way at the weekend, but not as bad!

Give it a try with some fresh oil, You will be suprised how much quieter the motor runs!!

__________________
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...0TDnoplate.jpg

Alastair AKA H.C.II South Wales, U.K. based member

W123, 1985 300TD Wagon, 256K,
-Most recent M.B. purchase, Cost-a-plenty, Gulps BioDiesel extravagantly, and I love it like an old dog.

W114, 1975 280E Custard Yellow,
-Great above decks needs chassis welding--Really will do it this year....

I'm all over that deal. Will be picking up several gallons this week and carrying a couple of fuel filters with me. At least its worth the effort. I have a buddy who is dumping 40 gallons of used fry oil per month. That would be about perfect once filtered. So I'm slowly getting educated but will give it a preliminary test with clean stuff.

Thanks for the reply.

Don

__________________
DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

Check out the Infopop Biodiesel/SVO forum, Theres so much info there it will take you a week to get through, but well worth the effort!, if you are serious about SVO
Sometimes with used oil its better to make BioD out of it, It burns even cleaner than SVO, and just as quiet!

Alastair At The BioD/SVO Promotion Div. SWC.

__________________
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...0TDnoplate.jpg

Alastair AKA H.C.II South Wales, U.K. based member

W123, 1985 300TD Wagon, 256K,
-Most recent M.B. purchase, Cost-a-plenty, Gulps BioDiesel extravagantly, and I love it like an old dog.

W114, 1975 280E Custard Yellow,
-Great above decks needs chassis welding--Really will do it this year....

You got a link to the site Alastair?

__________________
Jim

Biodiesel discussion group

It is a friendly group, everyone eager to help

Des

I know this is an old post but i am just in the process of getting a 1982 240d and was wondering whether Alastair still runs his with 90% Rape-seed oil and 10% unleaded petrol and how his car is bearing up. Also if any1 else is doing this with the older merc diesels i'd appreciate some advice. I can't be bothered with seperate tanks, heating oil etc and just want to be able to use straight oil.

Thanks, Rory