Veg oil fuel ??

[Shish]

i looked into this veggie oil thing just after i bought my surf and have been meaning to try it out...

from the research i did it seemed rapeseed oil is the best to use but as nobody seems to cook with it... it's a little hard to find

i'm probably going to try a visit to Makro and see what they have in bulk

[Morr]

........it seemed rapeseed oil is the best to use but as nobody seems to cook with it... it's a little hard to find.........

The reason you will see it mentioned it because it has a very high oil yield per acre, probably the highest obtainable from crops we can grow in this part of the world.

From the engines perspective, there is little difference between Rapeseed, sunflower, maize etc etc.

[Shish]

i was under the impression that rapeseed oil produces less gum & soot... or does it make little difference in real terms?

[Morr]

i was under the impression that rapeseed oil produces less gum & soot... or does it make little difference in real terms?

Not any significant difference that I'm aware of. ( I'm always willin to be proved wrong tho!)

[Morr]

....
1, Once tank is about 2/3rds full pop in vegoil to top up to full and see how it goes ?
2, Change filter before this or after i start using it ?
3, If alls well move onto a 50 - 50 mix for summer months only ?
....... Is there any cases where vegoil has gone wrong or dont agree for what ever reason ?
Is there a difference using it in 2.4 to 3.0 ......

Firstly, don't just read the threads here (altough its a good start), follow and read the links posted for further information, do your own research, remember if you decide to use veggie it is your responsibility to ensure your have educated yourself on the subject.

1. I prefer to run tank lowish, then add veggie before driving to filling station to top up, this way the faster flow of the pumped diesel will help mix the two quicker. Also, there’s no automatic cut-off when filling from veggie bottles J
2. I had changed my filter just prior to starting to use veggie and have had no problems. Other people (not in Surfs afaik) have experienced some minor difficulties with veggie loosing dirt in tank. Should not be a problem, but its good to be aware of the possibilities
3. The ratio used like all else here is experimental, there is no definitive specification or guide to use, after all this is not a fuel approved for use by the engine manufacturer. I can only offer my own experiences as listed earlier on the thread. In other countries (in other vehicles) some have successfully used 100% veggie with no modifications whatsoever. This would not be possible in our climate, as the veggie would gel in the colder weather. Its all about experimentation, I’m happy at between 50/75% veggie in warm weather.

Should be no difference between 2.4 & 3.0 from veggie perspective.

Gone wrong? Yes, some vehicles (not Toyotas that I know of) have suffered from damaged fuel pumps (afaik only Lucas/CAV pumps have suffered). Some vehicles (again not Toyota's to my knowledge) have experienced coking of the injector’s etc.
Some engines take to straight veggie better than others. Old Mercs are the best, Toyota’s, VW’s & BMW’s all seem to be next best to the Merc. Coking should not be a problem as long as your nor starting/stopping the engine on pure veggie.
Please remember any "facts" I present above are the result of much research over the last 2 years or so. I believe all to be correct, but as relatively little in the way of scientific study has been done on this subject I can’t swear on anything other than from my own experience.

Having said all that, read up a bit, then GO FOR IT ! J J

[Shish]

Morr, is there any particular brand/type of oil you have found works better/worse than others?

[Morr]

Morr, is there any particular brand/type of oil you have found works better/worse than others?

Mostly use Lidl's cheapest @ €0.62/L

Bearing in mind that many people use old restaurant fryer oil as fuel (modified fuel system & highly filtered/dewatered etc of course) I don't think it really matters which type/brand of oil you use. Just go for the cheapest.
Diesel engines can be very tolerant of low quality fuels, they've even been adapted to run on coal dust!!

[Cockney Surfer]

thanks Morr, is only a case of nerves i suppose plus a distinct lack of engine knowledge ( still i have an A1 mechanic on hand ).

have read various bits on other sites and the verdict is pretty much the same ITS A GOOD THING.

your idea about filling up is cool and makes a lot of sense ref mixing etc.

i suppose now the only thing left to do is try it.

CHEERS

[pks]

New Veggie

Just started using Veg oil/dino mix aprox 66% dino , not problems so far, just one question. what happens at MOT time ? emission checks etc.? will it fail or will the tester report to the blue meanies?
sorry more than one question !!

[robnw67]

Fyi

Some more interesting stuff:

http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/vehiclefuels/...tView=N&Text=N

[Shish]

search around on the net and you'll find details for making biodiesel from oil... if you want to go legal you can apply to be a biodiesel producer with the HMCE, biodiesel should be taxed at 26p a litre.

[Morr]

Just started using Veg oil/dino mix aprox 66% dino , not problems so far, just one question. what happens at MOT time ? emission checks etc.? will it fail or will the tester report to the blue meanies?
sorry more than one question !!

Can'y answer for wether the tester would report it, why should he/she? After all you could be burning veggie quite legitimatly having paid your duties for all they know. With regard to emissions, all are reduced with the probable exception of Nox, which I believe is not measured by UK MOT's. All others drop by anywhere from 10 to 100%. Nox may rise or fall by up to about 10% depending on engine design (in all honesty, it usually increases).

[Silver Surfer]

Well I bought 12 litres of Tesco's finest vegetable oil today, works out at 53p per litre, so I'll give it a try.

John

[Driver]

Whats the maximum percentage anybody has run at and would it be possible to run at 100% with or without mods. sorry if this has already been asked.

Andy.

[Morr]

Whats the maximum percentage anybody has run at and would it be possible to run at 100% with or without mods. sorry if this has already been asked.

Andy.

I'm currently at around 75 to 80%, highest I've been so far and as far as I'll likely go.

You can run at 100% with modification. There are 3 basic methods of using 100%,
1) Make biodiesel, modify the fuel rather than the car, can be used in any modern diesel, older cars with natural rubber content anywhere in the fuel system must have such items replaced as biodiesel is a mild solvent and will eat compounds containing natural rubber. Most cars since '93 do not use these parts.
2) Add a tank for veggie, soleinod system to start and warm-up & shut down on diesel, running otherwise on veggie. will require at minimum heat exchanger or similar to heat fuel prior to the fuel pump, depending on oil used (new or used), weather etc, may also require heated tank and/or fuel lines for veggie.
3) Get your engine converted by elsbett to start and run on veggie, involves various mods usually including new injectors. Does not require second tank, will then happily run on any percentage of veggie up to 100%. Not reccomended for use with reclaimed oil. (www.elsbett.de I think, German company. I know thay have an agent here in Ireland, sure they must have one in UK)

Check out the links in the thread above, try a search on the net for SVO (Straight veg oil) and WVO (Waste veg oil) theres plenty of info available upto and including full plans and details etc etc, its all there.