Anyone actually running a 3G on WVO?

[Coolslice]

I picked up the lastest issue of 'Diesel Power' magazine and there is a feature on a Dodge w/ a veggie system. It just got me thinking of what my next "bomb" might be. I hear some people say that the HPCR engine is not a good platform for running WVO, but others say it is just fine? I couldn't find any info in the alternative fuels section. Just curious.

 

[betterthanstock]

High pressure injection runs hotter, and at tighter tolerances than the old style. So whatever goes wrong in the older engines, will happen that much faster here:

carbon deposits, difficult pumping when cold, break down at high temperatures, acid forming, bacteria...

The best diesel is synthetic made from coal or natural gas. It burns cleaner than bio. South Africa makes about half its diesel that way.

 

[Buffalo]

You may want to get in touch with BOB 4X4. He's a diesel tech at a dealership in Riverside, CA, I believe. If memory serves me right, he was saying that they are noticing rust formation on the tips of the injectors in the 3rd Gen's. that are using Biodiesel.



I would certainly check into it further before using it.



If you want to use the stuff for added lubricity for your HPCR & injectors, you may be better off using additives designed for that purpose. Stanadyne Lubricity Formula, comes to mind.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[Coolslice]

I was interested in running straight WVO, not Bio. At any rate, I have heard rumors of the injectors being effected on the HPCR engines. At this point, I guess they are just rumors but as tempting as it sounds, I guess I better hold off on spending 2 grand on the system and another 500+ for the install. I want to have all the facts before I go that route. With the price of diesel being what it is, I guess it's not a good sign that there is no real info about this on TDR.

 

[Buffalo]

Please correct me if I am wrong but, isn't BIO just a blend of WVO or fresh VO & diesel?



I believe Dodge/Cummins recommends not going over B-5 in our 3rd Gen. engines. B-5, I think, is 5% VO & the rest diesel.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[SSolem]

I concur with Buffalo. I have an '06 Bighorn Edition and the manual states nothing over 5% Bio. Also, a for what it is worth. Was talking to the mechanic at the dealership in Loveland CO and was told that oil based (ie MMM or the like) is not recommended for the '06 engine. He said the injector pump is now just a low to high pressure converter and that what was done at the pump prior is now done through the injectors. I posted the "'06 6 speed Rattle" because I thought something was loose. I later determined it was more of a "pinging" sound. I took it to the dealer and was told that the carbon can build up in the cylinders and injectors if they are not run hard enough and/or let idle too long. As part of my shifting habits (it is a 6 speed), I will typically run it to 2400 - 2600 prior to shifting. It really seems to like this. It no longer has any pinging. Couple of other items, it would not be the first time I was told or thought to be long winded. Mechanic stated DC/Cummins are backing off on replacing injectors and telling people to go out and run the truck and it will clear up. Somebody posted about poor fuel mileage. I have right at 3000 miles on my truck. It started out on the trip computer at about 12. 5. Made a run up into Wyoming this past week and have gotten consistently over 16 (hand calcs. )

Best Regards,

Scott.

Scott.

 

[John Robinson]

STAY AWAY!!!. I`ve got a sample of it here in the shop you should see!! Now I cant be sure if something went wrong in the mixing process or what!! But this stuff is really red & smells like butter. This was a kid that had a girlfriend, & he was "supposed to Know everything there is to know", about mixing fuel. Just ask him, He would tell ya :-laf , Aaaaaaany way, the two love birds came into the shop with a voided warranty, convinced it was a bad load of fuel from Abdual`s quickie mart & they were going to make him pay!!! Needless to say, Abdual didnt buy it & the girls "Daddy" Had to pay for it :-laf All along , the boyfriend kept explaining how the molecules work in diesel fuel & that the veggie blend had nothing to do with it!!! I`ts just my . 02

 

[Coolslice]

I think there is some confusion here. I'll admit that I know very little about BIO because they do not sell it in my area. I've never used it.



What I'm talking about is a system that allows you to run on WVO. You have a large tank that you can fill up at a restaurant that has disgarded their WVO. The system filters and heats the oil, once the engine has warmed to 160 degrees (thus heating the WVO by engine coolant) you flip a switch and run on straight WVO. More info can be found on this in the new issue of Diesel Power Magazine, OR you can visit the site of the featured company.



Their website is www.vegpoweredsystems.com

 

[DF5152]

I read the same article and dont know of anyone one else using wvo in a 3rd gen. I have done much research and have a mercedes thats runs on wvo. I have a friend that runs a fleet of mercedes on WVO and been doing it for a while. A quick summary of what I have read. first I have not read anything that can convince me that running WVO will destroy a diesel since it was designed to run on peanut oil. Now that being said just doing a conversion and dumping the stuff in the tank will get you know where fast. WVO usually has lots of sediment in it usually food and water. there is a filtering prosses that needs to be done and the better you do the the much happier you will be later on. one of the key points to using WVO is to have the oil at proper operating temps before you let it enter the engine. there have been some discusions that if the oil is not hot enough it will coke the tips of the injectors. All the ones we have converted run much quiter on veg oil with little to noticable power difference. If you mechanically inclined at all dont waist 2k on a kit make your own and save about 1500 to 1000 $$$

 

[TurboFan]

Cool slice,



I would be very carefull about burning WVO. At the very least, spend tons of time on the internet reading BOTH sides of the story before you risk your fine machine.



It seems that some of the folks responding to your question don't realize that there is a big difference between straight Veg oil and biodiesel. There is. And there is a difference between what type of vegetable oil it is. Some are "better" than others.



After I did a bunch of reading, I intended to build a Volswagen diesel engine generator that burned straight Veg oil (WVO) for three reasons.

1) bottom line, it is a cheap engine to experiment with. If it conks after a couple hundred hours, who cares.

2) the type of injector pump on many of the old VW's was a good type for the veg oil. 3) generators run steady and hard. That is supposed to be the best way to slow the build up of goo inside the engine.



I actually think I had a neat idea or two. I hope to have a workshop in the next year or two, so I can play around with that stuff.



I hope it get's figured out. I dig the alternative fuel stuff. I'd just hate to see a thread that starts with "My engine died and I can't afford a new one!"



If you do it, document everything very well and post it here so we can learn!



Good luck!



Greg

 

[DF5152]

yes there is a difference between bio diesel and WVO. Bio deisel is WVO or some other for of organic based grease, fat or oil that has be prosocessed so that all of the sugars have been removed. WVO can come from many different sources including fats that are solid at room temp. For some reason the fuel with higher cetane ratings all seem to be solid at room temp. What i have read lately it seem that different oils seem to work better than others as a WVO fuel

 

[Coolslice]

Thanks TurboFan,



Thats what I'm getting at. I find it strange that with the high cost of fuel that more people have not experimented. I'm not in the financial position to spend 2 or 3 grand and have a negative result so that's the reason for my crack research project here :-laf . It's just too bad that there seems to be very little reliable info. I am very leary to only listen to the companies who make these systems obviously.