Quote:
Originally Posted by cropduster
I got the car for commuting in the winter, and so I can use DSE waste oil to make my own fuel. Like I said, it runs and drives great, I'd really like to get the climate control working though, at least for some airflow.
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What is your personal time worth? I suggest you first estimate the true cost of using any fuel other than pump diesel, and decide if DSE or WVO or whatever is really an economical choice.
Example: in my situation, I calculate that my personal time outside of work hours is worth 1.5x my hourly wage. When I work overtime, that is what I get paid. Let's say that works out to $30/hour. I use about 18 gallons of fuel a week in my '87 wagon, which now costs about $2.70 per gallon, so 18 x 2.70 = 48.60, lets round up to $50 to make the math easier. If I spend more than two hours per week making my own fuel, I'm losing money (I'd have more time or more money in my pocket by working an extra two hours every week). Decide how much your time is worth, plug in your own numbers, now you've got some data to make a decision.
If your decision is not based on economic factors (saving on your fuel costs) then I urge you to really dig into the research to find out how to do it right. Doing it wrong can quickly render the car inoperable or worse destroy the engine, and I don't think you bought the car in order to destroy it. There is a section of this forum devoted to alternative fuels,
Alternative Fuels - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum
Start there to find out what it takes with a Mercedes to have success. Way too many older Mercedes are ruined and junked because of poorly thought-out use of alternative fuels, and your car is an exceptionally rare model. Good OM603 engines are getting hard to find.
Does your state require you to file / pay extra road taxes for using an alternative fuel? Morally you have an obligation to do that, the roads weren't built for free. The rest of the drivers using pump fuel are paying the tax, so should you if your state requires it.