From my research, if the temp outside is above 40F and the engine is warm no problem. If the temp outside is more like 80f even if the engine is cold, no problem.

I was at a local Big Lots last month and found gallons of corn oil for $1.25 each, limit 3. Since diesel was $1.52 I picked up 3 and went back for 3 more and poured them in my tank. Car had no problem running on it and I figured I was running on about 40/60 mix at the time. So to answer your question yes you can use straight veg oil in a pinch, or all the time if it's warm enough where you live.

i know this has been discussed before (and it has been concluded that it is generally unacceptable) but is there a "safe" amount of used and filtered motor oil that can be added to the fuel tank?

with used motor oil recycling available everywhere now, there really is no reason to do this, i suppose. however if one wanted to be really self-sufficient, i think it would be great to toss all types of filtered oils into the fuel tank...

What are the temp./ratio thresholds for VO in the 617 system. I'd love to give this whirl but we are down to freezing overnite. The last thing i want is a cake of lard packed inside of the fuel lines or IP.

I'm sure I read in a MB manual somewhere, sometime that in the tropics it was perfectly OK to run MB Diesels on vegtable oil. It also said there would be a reduced power output, if I remember correctly.

P E H

How easy is it to make corn oil from corn?

Maybe I'll start a little patch of corn next spring.....

Ken300D

and no comments on the hemp oil - don't even want to think about trying that.... the judge would be amused - for a moment.

For a truly fascinating read, head on over to corn.org. Seriously.

http://www.corn.org/web/cachpt2.htm

(Made it about 2 paragraphs in, and then nodded off...)

Fred,

How do you filter the oil?

P E H

Hello again please read all the info before you get into this it is not as simple as going to the nearest grease dump at taco bell and filling up. I get my oil from Mom & Pop family restraints straight from the fryer and let it settle for 30 days then filter it. I use the greasel kit it was the best one I thought for the money. Charles of greasel is one of the most helpful people I have ever talked to on this subject. Vegetable oil as fuel is a cleaner, safer and less expensive alternative to petroleum-based fuel. It can be locally produced, even grown in your back yard. You can then tell the diesel haters that you pollute less than there gas gulpers

http://www.greasel.com

At first I used to try pumping the veg oil through a cartridge type filter.. that was a pain.

I have a few 5 gallon containers with spigots on them. In the past I just put a full container on the workbench and let the oil pour through a cloth filter in a funnel that was sitting in a clean container. That worked fine for my old Golf (45 mpg).

Since I got the 300 D turbo I've "upgraded". Now I hang a filter bag over a 55 gallon drum and can gravity feed two 5 gallon containers at once through it. You can see this approach(although sloppier than necessary) in the photos at greasel.com.

I bought a 12V barrel pump online from Northern Tools. Every couple of weeks I go out on Sunday morning, stick the pipe from the barrel pump down into a drum at a couple of the local restaurants, and fill 4 or 5 five gallon containers. After they gravity feed through the filter into my 55 gallon drum, I stick the pump in that drum and can fill up right in my garage.

Haven't gotten around to putting a conversion in the Benz yet, so I just run about 30% veg oil right in the regular tank. I keep some spare fuel filters in the trunk, but after a few thousand miles it's still running better than it does on straight diesel without any problems.

Fred,

Now that I know I can get the filters from Greasel, I might give the VO a try. Actually, not until the spring, its getting too cold here in PA now to monkey withe the VO.

But the pump from Greasel pump at $165 seem too expensive. How much did the pump you got from Northen Tools cost? How many GPM does it pump?

P E H

here is the website, check it out. it began in VA

http://www.hempcar.org

eric

__________________
1995 E320 Sportline Wagon "Bernard"
black on black leather

http://i.imgur.com/BdZ7jM3.png

Fred:

How long (how many gallons) can one of those bag filters (from greasel) last? Do you have to replace them often?

Has anyone found a cheaper pump yet?

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

The pump I bought was pretty expenseive too. I think it was about $145.00, but any project that leaves me with a good tool is ok by me. In fact, I tried and fried a cheaper pumps with the rubber "star" type impellers. One wouldn't work and the other worked but the motor fried from trying to push the veg oil... The Northern tools pump is a cast iron pump housing. Uses replaceable teflon (I think) vanes to drive the oil. Just used it this past Sunday and I'd say it's pumping 5 to 7 gallons / minute at outside temperature of about 40F. That's good enough for me.

Filter life varies with quality of oil. If the oil is darker brown there are usually lots of suspended particles and filter bag (about 8" diameter x 16" tall) has to be washed out after 10 or 15 gallons. I've found a place with oil that's more yellow..looks more like new engine oil... and the filter hasn't required any attention after 25 gallons.

In any case you can just turn them inside out and soak in a bucket of hot water with dishwashing detergent. It's just cooking oil ... a little scuzzy but cooking oil none the less.

F

So if I hear you right, you're not buying a new filter (bag) every month or two. Rather, they are washable and last awhile?

Thanks for the assistance. This is just too cool and only a matter of time for me.

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