Veggie mercs?

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Anonymous

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I almost daren't ask this question but I saw a motoring program on TV where someone had adapted a 250D to run on Vegetable oil (bought from the cash and carry it big drums).  the car still ran on diesel and could switch between the two at the flick of a switch. Veggie oil is much cheaper than diesel apparantly about 40p /litre

Has anyone tried it?
 

white190

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I have tried it in a renault laguna 2.2rtd , It worked well , the crucial points seems to be the purity and viscosity of the vege oil. If waste oil (as I used) is to be used you have to filter it at least 3 times with progresivley finer filters and after that leave it for 2 1/2 weeks for any animal fats to seperate out , Other than a slight 'chip shop' smell it ran fine. It has to said though that the better condition your deisel engine the better it will work (the ingectors Must be clean and the fuel pump in as new condition) , However I do know of several business owners who mix Derv and Filtered waste vege oil at 50/50 on every fill up , geting a full tank for the price of half.

P.S I didn't modify my Renault an any way.

Its definatley worth a go , If you're unsure Use Clean New oil from a shop and mix it with Derv 50/50 , just a quarter tank to try at first. so you can fill the car full with derv to dilute the oil if it dosent run good.

Its worth noting that most of the people I know who have tried it say it works better on NON turbo deisels .

I have never owned a Mercedes Deisel so It might be good to get an opinion of some one who has.
 

white190

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OH one other thing

You are supposed to register your self as a fuel producer and pay Tax on the fuel you make if you take it up full time...................................suposed to any way I don't actually know any one who has.........

I only used the Oil for 3 months before getting my Petrol 190E

But Do Give It A GO.....
 

Matt Crooke

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So basically, you can nip to Tesco's, buy a bottle of Mazola and pour it straight in the tank of your car?

If this is the case, why isnt everyone doing it?
 

white190

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It only works on Diesels for one thing
And Not all engines run well on it .....
My Renualt ran fine But it was and older Mechanical injection system not EFI...
It is becomming more popular with buisiness owners.

But after testing yout engine you are basicaly correct you can nip to tesco's and pour in good vege oil...

It's not a new Idea , Its been used in the 3rd world for some years.

Sorry to drone on about Diesels but I was brought up on a Farm....
 

Matt Crooke

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Oh yeah, i realise that its Diesels only.

That is quality though...i may have to trade in the 190 for a diesel!!!
 

white190

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Id like to see how Merc's resond to the oil running Before I made any commitment.

The problem is getting any one to let you try it on their car..........
 

Matt Crooke

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I can imagine it being a bit of a lottery getting a ginuea pig!!!

A friend of mine has an old Peugeot 205 1.9 Diesel...bog standard no turbo..im going to have to put this to him over a few pints i think.
 

white190

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Pugs have been known to respond Well to Vege oil

If you convince him

get him to try it with New oil and a good brand name (to minimise the risk or animal fats)

And get him to Mix it 75% Derv 25% oil
then try 50/50
then 75/25
and maybee 100% Only if it runs good on 75/25

ONE point is that is is not a good idea to go any further than 50/50 in cold weather as the viscosity of the fuel will be too thick.
 

Matt Crooke

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Another thought, he also has a 1990 Bedford Midi 2.2 Diesel van, you know the old Column change jobbies. He uses that for work sometimes, could throw a bit of crisp N dry in that and see what happens.

Ooh what a fun weekend im gonna have!

On the downside, i have heard instances of the law dipping tanks to check for pink diesel..i presume one may get a ticking off from the fuzz if you were caught?
 

white190

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thats one good thing about Vege oil ...................
Its Clear and when mixed with Derv its very hard to tell if any things been added.

PS should have mentioned that its a good idea to mix the fuel in a container not in the tank , to get a though mix.....
 
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Anonymous

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Hi all
The definitive answer.  All indirect MB diesels will run happily on straight veggie oil as they have an inline fuel pump.  Cars with Lucas CAV pumps should not be run on veggie oil as it will break the pump.  Bosh rotary pumps should be ok.  Don't forget the diesel engine was designed to run on peanut oil.
To reduce the viscosity mix with 25% diesel, if required.  Waxing is not really any more of an issue than with diesel, if new oil is used.
Coking will occur if the engine is only run at idle on long term tests (200 Hr), but normal driving will stop this happening.
The fuel will actually burn cleaner as it is naturally oxygenated.  Rapeseed oil is best as it is cheepest and has the best overall charecteristics.
The legal issues are with HM customs, not the Police.  A dispensation would probably be granted if the fuel was used for "testing purposes".
Don't ask, but I know MB and PSA diesels are happy on veggie oil.
Therortically there could be problems if used in a direct injection engine, due to coked injectors spraying fuel onto the cylinder wall and causing locallised overheating.
For more info see http://www.rerorust.de/
 
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Anonymous

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wow , I thought I'd be laughed off the forum!

I hadn't thought of mixing it in with the diesel.  Think I am tempted to try, and yes I know that 100% veggie will be too viscous unless heated so will avoid mid winter.

How encouraging , Will let you know what happens

Keith
 

white190

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sounds like Dieselman has tried it as well
that's two of us saying it works......TRY IT......

I have actualy been warned about using it with Lucas
Pumps , it has to be said I have tried it up to 50/50 using the lucas pumps with no problems , But then Living on a farm has it's benifits (good workshop , if I break things) ..........
Maybe not such a good idea to tempt fate if you have no workshop space and a Lucas pump........

Give it A go.................go on.........
 

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The law on running cars on cherry is draconian .If you run an old banger maybe its worth it.But I was told they could sieze your car and crush it. And the fines are huge for the first offence.
 
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Anonymous

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Hopin- If you mean by Cherry - red diesel then surely thats completely different to veggie oil.  Is there anything written down which applies to veggie or is that just hearsay.  If so where is it written.  

Dieselman - just to double check is my 96 300D non turbo okay?
 

white190

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The only Law that applies to Vegie oil is that You ARE supposed to be registered as an alternative fuel producer and then pay TAX on the fuel..........................

I say Supposed to .....................but no one I know has bothered.............................

Maybe if Petrol and Diesel prices in the UK were not made up of 4/5 tax 1/5 oil costs then people might be more forth comming..................

Please don't get started on Fuel TAX , I know we all hate the level in this country.............
 
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