Veg oil - yes/no? + mix ratio

Apparently it's possible to run a diesel engine on veg oil, i've read numerous articles in the hope of understanding the pros and cons (ok and the legality) of veg oil use but i'm now even more confused.

At one end of the spectrum I've seen conversions that require an additional tank plus plumbing and pre heaters, but then i've read that neat veg oil can simply be added to a tank in a mix ratio of ermmmm ?

I've got a 2.5TD thats done 130,000 thats been well treated and runs as well as it did when new (ish) it never fails to starts and pulls like a sewing machine so i know its in good order.

Is there anyone who is actually using veg oil in any way (other than chip frying) to run their 2.5TD on ?

I've also been told by one of the lead instructors at one of the LR Experience centres that it's simply a matter of adding some to the tank when you fill up - it can't be that simple can it? - slightly reluctant to try it untill i get some more info.

Try doing a search theres been loads of threads on here on cooking oil.

Basicly the answer is yes you can use it. But among other things, the injector pump needs lubrication, so the cooking oil has to be thin enough to do this. Which means either heating it up to reduce its viscosity. Or thinning it down with diesel, a 50% mix seems to be about the most, probably less in winter about 25% cooking oil.

Don't forget to pay the tax will you.

Look here on the dico bit.

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f8/tdi-300-1995-cooking-oil-33699-3.html#post241275

Oops that should be "Disco" not dico, ah well never mind.

Ah now i know why i didnt get any search results using "veg oil" - just shows my ignorance in the kitchen department.

I quite like the smell of chip shops so i am off out to buy a couple of litres now and add it to my nearly full tank - i'll start with a low ratio mix and suck it and see.

Thanks.

You may find it runs better. I've only just realized I've been running mine on Biodiesel and the engine is the only thing that is running better now than when I got the vehicle.

OK poured 4 litres of tesco veg oil into 3/4 full tank - drove over a few speed bumps to get it all mixed (not sure if that helped) and have just done 30+ miles and ermmmm i can't tell the difference - there is a very faint wiff of a chippy but other than that all seams well - her indoors wants me to "register" to keep it all legal which sorta spoils the fun a bit.

Veg oil should (theoretically) prolong your engines life, it should also give much better compression. TIP.... change your fuel filter in a couple of weeks time.

Also.... Dont forget to pay your tax.

4litres into a 3/4 tank will make no noticable difference.

Remember bio diesel and veg oil are different things, your engine will run better on bio, and it will be much better for the engine. It will also run quite happily on veg oil although its not as good for the engine as the bio.

When veg oil is mixed with diesel though you will be fine, so try mixing it 50/50 and see what happens, then you will notice a difference.

Your right 4 litres is a drop in the ocean - am i right to think the tank in my 110 is 75 litres?

Whats the reason for changing the fuel filter? - does it need to be changed for the same or a different type?

Veg oil loosens or drags any ****e from the tank end of things.

a 50/50 mix will be fine in the present climate. reduce it come winter.
good idea to insert a cheapo see thro filter in the line. then you can keep an eye on things.

reccommended to change your lube oil more than usual. i do mine at 5000 miles.

see the other threads (or the net) re a 2 tank system and heat exchangers. then you can use SVO all yr round.

My S3 runs on the stuff happily, its a bit rattly first thing but after that its fine. I get a few miles to the gallon more and the emissions are better (not that it concerns me).

In the summer i stick about £5 of Diesel into a tank of cooking oil and about £10 in the winter. and she seems happy.

Rape seed oil is better but its slightly mote expensive (about 10p a liter)

make friends with your local chinese chippy.
you know it makes sense.

any truth veg oil clogs up injectors?

I use millers additive everytime i fill up, will that make any difference to the mix???????

rawhole said:

any truth veg oil clogs up injectors?

Click to expand...

if the vege oil is too thick (ie viscosity) then you may have a problem with
injectors and other items such as filters and fuel lines etc.. hence the need for a heater system in colder weather.

the trick is to get the vege oil the same/similar viscosity as normal derv.

or a use weaker mix.

If the oil is too thick, then it can put increased stress on the entire high pressure side of the system (including the IP itself) as its more difficult for the system to get the oil through the injectors. It also increases the likelyhood of timing belt premature failure.

Mixing it is quite important, or adding a little of something thin like kero will bring it within correct parameters.

ive also heard of peeps adding white spirit, but ive never used it. may be worth a try?

I've now done a tankfull of miles since asking the orginal question - using approx 50/50 mix and there is a deffinate improvement in performance - certainly a lot more compression and a less lumpy tickover (and a lot cheaper to run) - it's obvioulsy way to early to judge if i am doing anything that is mechanically detrimental to any components but i intend to carry on my experiment - fuel filter change will be this weekend, i'll keep an eye on that and maybe change it every 2000 miles so, i dont intend to add any additional tanks or pre-heaters.

Once the weather starts to worsen whats the recomended ratio - lets assume a worse case of minus bloody cold + snow etc should i just use normal fuel and not bother mixing?