Is it cheaper to convert your car to run on vegetable oil?

Question

I'v heard its fairly easy to do. is this true?

Answer 1

if its diesel. you need to change all rubber in the fuel system to hdpe (high density polyethylene)

next problem where do you get the vegetable oil? as more people start doing this the free used oil is gone. plus you also need to filter the solids out and cut it with 20% ethenol to get it to flow right. this is what commercial bio diesel is. the straight grease version uses a preheater and a regular diesel tank to start the vehicle and for shutdown as grease with coagulate and clog the injectors

Answer 2

Commercial Biodiesel, is not just Vegetable oil mixed with Ethanol. Biodiesel may be made from any vegetable oil, and any alcohol. Commonly in the UK, Rapeseed oil and methanol are used. The Alcohol(methanol ethanol or any other short chain alcohol) is mixed with Sodium Hydroxide to produce the Sodium  Ethoxylate, this is a very reactive alcohol spieces.

This is then added to the Vegatble oil and the chemical reaction takes place. the ingridients are converted in to Alcohol Esters, and the by-product is Glycerine which is seperated from the bio fuel.

Diesel cars will function well just using pure corn oil with no esterificatiion or conversion  necessary if you live in a warm climate. If in a cold climate, then it is necessary to convert the oil to esters as the pure oil is too thick at cold temperatures.

I know someone that has been running his peugot 306 diesel for the last four years on pure cooking oil (Except during the winter) with no problems, and if you shop around, in the UK cooking oil can be purchased for less than half the price of diesel,

So it can be much cheaper.

One warning however... do not try this on a brand new vehicle , as it will invalidate your warranty..

I hope this helps..

Keep on being green..

mooney

Answer 3

I have a 1998 Mercedes 300BioTD and just added B100 from day one(Make it myself). Runs perfect, no problem, 8000k miles 1st year. Zero expense except for the car. Have changes the fuel filters just in case for about $30..... Most diesel cars made after 1992 have synthetic fuel lines so thats the biggest worry.

Answer 4

wow thats awesome!

Answer 5

I did mine for $250 parts.

Answer 6

heck yes it is just think when you go to order some fast food at burger king you can ask then for there fry grease

Answer 7

If it's deisel you can buy a kit.  I think I heard it was a little let than $500.  Not too sure though...sorry.

Answer 8

If your car is a diesel.