Veggie diesel users?

ALANSD · 07-10-2006, 05:14 PM

Are you using veggie diesel in your rig? If so how is it set up?
I am looking into it utilizing the extra tank in my F250 7.3 PSD.
Finding a lot of info, just trying to decide what to do from here.
Could it be as easy as flipping the switch in the truck to the back tank, once I get a filter and pre-heater set up? In my climate do I even need a pre-heater.

markdoane · 07-10-2006, 06:42 PM

Alan,

Are you talking about biodiesel (methyl esters of vegetable oil), or the straight soybean oil burner.

The methyl ester has a wax point of 32F, quite a bit higher than diesel, which starts to crystallize at 5F.

Fuel conditioners that work on diesel also work on biodiesel, but not as well.

BeBop · 07-10-2006, 07:08 PM

I have been using B100 Biodiesel in my truck since I bought it. No negative aspects of use have presented themselves thus far. Biodiesel can be splash blended with petrodiesel, hence when on the road you can use either as they make themselves available enroute. When in could weather, I will run either a bio/petro blend or straight petro. Where I live, I would say most of the time I'm B100.

Pros: Engine runs quieter, less noxious emissions, higher lubricity, nice smell
Cons: Higher price, limited availability, slightly lower mpg than petro

Since my truck is not my daily driver, I don't mind the added expense. I pay $3.70/gallon currently, professionaly produced. My daily driver is a Toyota Prius.

ZoominC6 · 07-10-2006, 07:23 PM

Alan,

I experimented with Bio in my last Duramax came up with basically the same findings as BeBop. If it makes you feel good (green) then by all means, do it.
I'm not at all certain what the production costs of Bio are but have a feeling that they are higher than petro.

Jim & Susan · 07-10-2006, 07:26 PM

Alan, I know a guy here in Atlanta that picks up the used cooking oil for free from a local Mexican restaurant, strains it and so on, and pours it right into the tank. He says he uses diesel to start & warm up the oil, then switches over. Claims he buys about one tank of diesel a month. The cooking oil is free to him and saves the restaurant owner the expense of have to dispose of it.

I swear this story is true! He says not to spread this around too much, or his source will dry up (or start charging him for it).

Jim

JimGolden · 07-10-2006, 08:33 PM

There are several kits on the market for this. Yes, you need to start and stop on "real" diesel. You can "run" on french fry grease. You basically set up two tanks with a switch valve up by the injector pump. You start and warm up the engine on diesel fuel. You then switch it and drive on french fry grease. Before you shut down, you want to purge the lines and so you switch back to diesel for the last five minutes or so.

You need to strain the grease really well before you try to burn it.

The biggest deal is the viscosity. Generally you need to plumb some coolant lines through the french fry grease tank. It's not such a big deal in summer, but in cold winters, you need to heat the grease up a lot before you try driving on it. It's not a simple two tank affair: you really need to take the viscosity into account and run some lines from the radiator through the grease tank. The heat thins it out so that the injector pump can then use it without having a heart attack.

But, if you do it right, you can run your diesel just fine on it. Rudolf Diesel himself ran his first engines on vegetable oil.

Go for it, and let us know how you make out!

ALANSD · 07-10-2006, 08:38 PM

that's what I am talking about, veggie oil form my local Chinese restaurant. Hope to get this going, I will let you all know how it works out. I did see good info at www.greasecar.com

silverback · 07-10-2006, 10:10 PM

We've been blending in commercially produced B100 (or B20) in the 04 Duramax and our 06 VW Beetle TDI. It's actually a little cheaper here in AZ. Only positive results so far.
-Ken

ALANSD · 07-11-2006, 06:06 AM

you find those products locally for sale? I don't see them here, not even Ethanol is available for gassers here yet.
By the way those are bio-diesel, not 'veggie' I assume.

swebster · 07-11-2006, 07:27 AM

Alan,
Are you thinking about a two tank SVO system? I too have been checking out greasecar.com after my brother in law turned me onto it....love the profile about a 40 Class A that converted: http://www.greasecar.com/profile.cfm?profileID=52

It would be interesting to talk to owners as sourcing the SVO seems to be something easier said than done (unless you know some restaurant owners).

silverback · 07-11-2006, 09:03 AM

Alan,
Yes. I'm referring to bio-diesel. Ethanol (E80 I think) and bio-diesel flavors are available commercially in AZ.
-Ken

henrydahm · 07-11-2006, 10:35 AM

Alan,

I've been burning b-5 with no problem - I've heard that the "seals" whatever they are get brittle with contact with veg.oil - probably another oil industry myth. I'd run at least b-20 If I could find it closer to where I live. What I have found out is that my Liberty doesn't know the difference btw "highway" diesel and biodiesel

Ya want fries with that??

Henry

elh3946 · 07-11-2006, 02:32 PM

Interesting thread, especially since we're planning on buying a diesel pickup.

Does anyone know if the new diesel engines due out in 2007 will run on biodiesel? (These are the diesel engines that HAVE to use "ultra" low sulfur diesel fuel, or USLD fuel.)

Linda

P.S.: By the way, here are a couple of websites that give biodiesel fuel locations around the country:

http://afdcmap.nrel.gov/locator/LocatePane.asp
http://www.biodiesel.org/buyingbiodi...s/default.shtm

silverback · 07-11-2006, 04:52 PM

Linda,
Bio-diesel is the original ULSD. I saw a report yesterday that the new (07) Dodge/Chrysler diesels will support B20.
-Ken