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  #1  
Old 11-30-2003, 05:33 PM
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Soybean oil in my SDL..............

After reading all the posts on biodiesel, I decided to try it out to satisfy my curiosity.

I purchased 2.5 gallons of Soybean oil @BJ's and added it to about 18 gallons of diesel already in the tank.

While I cannot comment on performance, I can say that the car smokes significantly less and is much quieter than before.

And while the exhaust does smell and bit different, I can't say it smell like french fries.

Maybe my imagiantion, but it sure seems like it makes a difference.

BYW, the 2.5 gallons cost me 12.00, or a little over 4.00 per gallon. Just figured I'd try it.


My wife an dkid were sure looking at me funny while I was pouring it into my car.

Thanks for listening....

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  #2  
Old 11-30-2003, 05:44 PM
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Re: Soybean oil in my SDL..............

Quote:
Originally posted by Plantman
I can't say it smell like french fries.
You need to add seasoning to get that french fry smell

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Old 11-30-2003, 05:58 PM
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Re: Soybean oil in my SDL..............

Quote:
Originally posted by Plantman
while the exhaust does smell and bit different, I can't say it smell like french fries.
Don't be chicken, run that SDL all the way down to "E" and then pour in 4 gallons of soybean oil. I guarantee it will smell different.

Read here: She's cookin...
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Old 11-30-2003, 06:14 PM
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Are vegetable oils completely miscible in Diesel fuel? No chance of it separating and solidifying along the bottom of the tank?

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  #5  
Old 11-30-2003, 06:29 PM
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You can double the usefulness of the oil and get the right smell by using it to cook some french fries before putting it in your tank. For a really elite odor, fry some caviar in it before putting it in your tank.
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Old 11-30-2003, 07:53 PM
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welcome to the club

excellent!
both my '87 300sdl and '85 300d are on a strict veggie diet. Much quieter and almost smokeless.
cheers,
Kevin
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  #7  
Old 11-30-2003, 08:22 PM
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I seem to remember reading a post a few months back speaking about how the "newer" diesels (1986+) could be damaged by running bioD... something about the injection pumps being more sensitive, maybe? . Any truth to this?
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Old 11-30-2003, 09:39 PM
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I have no doubt it will smell different if it were pure veggie oil. As I said earlier, it already smells different and is no doubt less smoky and quieter.
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Old 12-01-2003, 03:11 AM
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Veggies

djugurba:

Do you have PICs of the system you installed inyour SDL. If so, can/will you PM them to me? Where do you store the oil?
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Old 12-01-2003, 09:00 AM
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Just a warning for those not lucky enough to be in warm climates: most veggie oils will solidify at surprisingly warm temperatures - much above water freezing. While they are completely miscible in diesel fuel, adding them will significantly raise the point at which your fuel filters will become plugged.
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  #11  
Old 12-01-2003, 09:40 AM
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Soy oil

I tried some soy in my 240d a couple of times this past summer. The smell was like burnt popcorn to me. Not a pleasant smell by anyones standards.
Off topic, I always wanted to set my idle speed but without a tach I really don't know what rpm it's running. A diesel pickup pulled up next to me a light and I heard it's idle so I matched mine to his using my idle knob and my ear. Very happy with my idle now, always had it set way too slow.
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  #12  
Old 12-01-2003, 10:03 AM
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Well! Some how last week I managed to run out of fuel near a convenience store so I fell back on the ol' reliable bottle of Wesson oil to take me to the nearest diesel pump. Used to do that with my old VW rabbit back when Diesel pumps could be few and far between.
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Old 12-01-2003, 10:05 AM
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I understand that the only vegetable oil that dosen't do well running a diesel engine at least for a short time is cottonseed oil -- not enough BTU's or so I read some years ago. Any one know if this is true?
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Old 12-01-2003, 10:57 AM
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I knew (now dead these last three years) a former cotton farmer from East Texas who said that in WWII when the rationing was on and plenty of other times, they ran their tractors on cottonseed oil. No problems.

Haven't heard of any veggie oil it won't run on. Nor, actually, animal fats, either. As long as you can keep the viscosity low, you can burn it. I know a guy over the web in Australia who (claims to) runs his vehicle on animal fats (lard, suet, etc.).
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  #15  
Old 12-01-2003, 11:49 AM
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say: Jook-Ur-Pah
 
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the 'system'

I'm using commercially produced Biodiesel right now, which does not require any modification to my 300SDL. I'll be getting the kit from Neoteric (www.biofuels.ca), or making one myself that is similar, probably in the spring. Seems my wife wants to buy christmas presents or something, and doesn't seem to agree that cleaner air (via veg-oil kits for my cars) is a good enough gift...

When the kit goes in, however, pictures will document the occasion. I've still got to get the Trap Oxidizer removed! yikes!

K

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