i know this has been a topic of discussion recently but can those in the know please clarify. i have a diesel town ace which was built in 1989 imported in 1998 and which at present is running wonderfully ( famous last words !!! ).

can i throw in or rather carefully funnel in cooking oil instead of diesel at a ratio of 1/3 diesel to 2/3 cooking oil. without the need to adjust or add any modifications ? is it that easy to convert?

as i use my vehicle for business and travel anything upto 240 miles a day any fuel savings would be appreciated.

are there any pitfuls or problems to look out for?

many thanks



- (#10092) Steve, 13 Apr 04 16:48

Raw i.e. from the shop veg oil may foam/emulsify in a large dose, clogging the system. Don't forget you have to pay Road Fuel Tax on what you put in - failure to do so can result in imprisonment!
Why not have a look at www.bio-power.co.uk/agents.htm
for an agent near you, who will supply a replacemnt fuel a little cheaper than the pump price but you get up to 30% more MPG. Or have a go at making your own.

- (#10092) Clive, 14 Apr 04 00:51

I can't believe this! You take Mr Frys best chip shop oil-for free hopefully - tinker a bit of bucket chemistry with it. Stick it in your tank - with no engine mods and get up to 30% more MPG !!!!
If anyone is doing this can they please supply the EXACT process they use to modify the waste oil, how long they have done it for, what benefits they have gained, modifications to the process that they could recommend and any drawbacks they have found.
I'm interested in trying this but would like more information.

- (#10092) stephen judge, 14 Apr 04 15:11

No chemistry needed, just a separation process to remove animal fats. Add 2% white spirit and ready to go. I started on the batch process on the bio-power web page, joined the club and now use a larger volume continual process. Both systems takes about 6-8 weeks to mature.
I've run on chip shop fat for around 6 months now, no problems so far, very low smoke test result at the MoT. Often reach 700Kms on the trip guage before the low fuel light comes on. The engine has got more omph, sounds better and you get a popcorn smell in place of the acrid Diesel stench.
As I say if you are interested try buying some from one of the agents, if you like it, think about making your own.

- (#10092) Clive (Bristol), 14 Apr 04 17:03

Clive as you are actually doing it.....?

How do you deal with the fuel tax problem - if there is one and are there any health issues when making it at home I have tried to email my local bio agents but have not had a reply yet. I remember reading some pretty horrifying web pages on the various acids and chemicals that are used in the home fuel making process and lots of thick rubber clothing was the order of the day. Also how much space would you need to really start the process.

Once you have set up paid for gear and then purchased oil and white spirit and other chemicals what does the cost per litre work out at? Again the various web sites seem to differ in their costings.

Finally will this work with my Transit as I also run one of these for business use aswell?

Many thanks

Steve.

- (#10092) steve, 15 Apr 04 04:46

I declare and pay the tax monthly, I have an old water meter that I use for this.
I use no other chemicals save for the white spirit. I use white spirit because I can get it anywhere, ethanol and kerosene can also be used. I guess you have been looking at Rapeseed Methyl Ester process, the thought of all the chemicals in my house made me keep away from that method..
I use about 6' by 9' area behind my garage for the separation/raw material area, and a pile of ready fuel containers in the garage.
Forgetting the overheads about 35p a litre taxed paid.
Bosch pumps and the Jap copies work well, some CAV Lucas types do not, it is a case of trial and error. Some run ok on a 50/50 mix, and others like mine ok on 100% in the warm weather.
There is a replacement for the white spirit under test that will also cure the cold start, so I should be able to use my own fuel all the time.

- (#10092) Clive, 15 Apr 04 05:07

Clive, you've convinced me to study www.bio-power.co.uk which is very impressive, as is 30% more km for 50% less visible expense. Do you have a green way to dispose of the near-solid by-products?

- (#10092) Dave Mason (Sussex), 15 Apr 04 06:07

The by product can be used to run generators and household central heating oil fired boilers. It can even be dried and used as coal!
I've not produced enough to worry about that yet.

- (#10092) Clive, 15 Apr 04 06:35

this all sounds very interesting have looked at websites that state you need to put in conversion tanks at loads a cash, but good to know that you don't.
am interested to make the change, me and family are thinking about coming to brean for the meet up so maybe we can get some advise then, i get a bit confused with written spec, much better when i can talk about something i can see.

- (#10092) claire, 16 Apr 04 03:44

I shall be there, as well as Bridport and Woodvale. Happy to talk/demonstrate and talk some more.

- (#10092) Clive, 16 Apr 04 04:33

Thanks to all regarding this matter I have now contacted my local Bio Maker who carries stock and sells with tax payed at 70p to 72p a litre.
I wonder what the general price is around the UK.
If I save about £1.53 for every £20.00 payed for normal diesel add on cost of a new fuel filter is the 5p to 7p saving per litre cost effective and worth all the worry of my townie possibly breaking down?
How long does a fuel filter last with bio diesel?

- (#10092) Steve, 19 Apr 04 03:01

With my fuel, I've changed the filter but it did not need doing after 1 month. I've had the filter off last month and it is clean. So no extra cost so far in the 6 months I've been running MWVO, just need to keep an eye on it. Don't forget that apart from the few pence you save over pump prices you also get better MPG and more performance.
Give it a try and see, 1000s of users in the UK can't be wrong.

- (#10092) Clive (Bristol), 19 Apr 04 03:12

Clive

Are you following the recipe at the following link http://www.bio-power.co.uk/makeit.htm exactly, eg heating the oil etc?
Also are you mixing the fat animal/veg?
It looks like I may be able to get a supply of 200 to 300 Litres a month (waste veg only) from a single source. Too much for me but a mate at work is interested in setting up plant together. All above board of course.

- (#10092) Marcus (Cornwall), 29 Apr 04 11:54

Hi Clive.

Do you think you can explain me more about using biodiesel. It sounds to simpel: you just get the oil from our surplyer, mod. it and put it on the car and drive. what about the motor and the rubber can it stand the acid and so on.
please explain it to me in a mail.

Kasper , denmark

- (#10092) Kasper, 30 Apr 04 04:07

Marcus, Kasper
You have mail.

- (#10092) Clive, 30 Apr 04 04:42

Clive can you send me the email. veggy oil could hold the key to my fuel consumtion problems. i can also get a ready supply of clean used oil! Russell.

- (#10092) russell, 30 Apr 04 13:03