Newby: Moving from Old Merc's to LR - Info re: running on veg oil gratefully received

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scotlandtim

New Member
Posts
4
Location
Midlothian, Scotland
Hello.

I'm new here.

For the last 7 years i've ran 2 old mercedes diesel estates (250TD & 300TD) on Veg oil. They've both finally died - one due to rust, the other is just limping along, but on it's way out.

It's time for a new project - I'm thinking Disco (1 or prob 2) and hoping to run it on Veg oil (Used)

Anyone any experience on this? My plan would be small tank, or jerry can of diesel in boot and 100% WVO in tank. Switching to Veg when warm, and installing extra filters and heat exchanger for veg. I have a neighbour who has done this sucessfully on disco 1 so plan on following his example.

All info regarding veg conversions, and which LR's do best on this gratefully received.

I'm in no rush to buy - gonna wait for the snow to go before even looking, hoping the merc 300TD with the decent winter tyres will see me through this winter, it's not got stuck yet, then we're gonna sell her Prius (thank goodness) and use £2k of that money to buy LR - we only need one car these days so hope the merc will run till i've sourced, bought and prepped the LR.

I'm based in Midlothian, and pretty handy with a spanner, pretty poor with a welder and happy to ask for advice when required, but will be doing most work myself when the time comes.

If you know of anything for sale near me that's in good nick do let me know. I'm not wanting anything fancy (no heated seats, cruise control, elec windows) or anything like that - preferably manual gearbox, cloth interior and solid body. Must be diesel (for obvious reasons!) I'm leaning towards the 300TDI but wanting your input and experiences.

Thanks a lot.

Tim.
 
Should be fine on veg - start with 50% for a tank, then 75% then go to 100%.

Before you start change the diesel filter and pre filters then do the same again in about 500 miles, and maybe once again in another 500 - reason being veg dislodges the crap that diesel doesn't worry about. You may need to change the o rings too, they have a habit of perishing when switching from diesel to veg.

Make sure you use either Bosch or Gutmann filters - anything else hates the veg, and be sure your merc has a Bosch fuel pump. Anything else is no good.

Not a bad idea to change the syphon in the fuel tank before starting the changeover - requires a 22mm allen key - best to bodge this from a 22mm bolt, or reverse a socket.

Good luck!
 
Auto's should run as well as Manuals on Veg. I've always had manual (personal preference)

Prob best to change the ATF when you get it though - easy (if messy) job and means you know what's what with it.
 
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