Running a diesel on veg oil

[Benji]

Did anyone here the report on Jeremy Vine's radio 2 show recently about running diesels on vegetable oil?

Sounded like a bit of a gimmick to me but went to there website and it seemed a bit more believable (www.dieselveg.com).  Im interested in converting my disco but need more info about long term use and whether it damages the engine?  Any views?

The tax issue seems a bit dodgy though.  Apparently you have to pay duty of about 27p a litre, but how would they know if you buy the oil from your local cash and carry?  When you add the 40p a litre cost of virgin oil and the duty, the savings don't appear to be that huge!!!

Has anyone converted their vehicle?

[strapping young lad]

im sure you can also use used chip shop oil..

but as you say the tax thing is a bit of a mystery and a grey area in which to dabble with..

[Paul]

Apparantly Rape Seed Oil is the best to use,
Not tried it myself but I have been tempted
when you see how cheap it is for 5 gallon at
Makro  :D

I'll be watching with great interest  

[davidlandy]

Veg oil does work, mix it with meths or something i think

u have to watch out though as i believe it knackers fuel pump seals etc without some form of chemical additive to assist.

also u must NOT use cooking oil that has animal fats in it. not good.

when running on it your exhaust will smell of the oil,  I experienced a lorry that was running on it - smelt of donuts, mmmm donuts!

Dave

[Pete5844]

My mate runs his old Ford Escort on used chip oil mixed 50/50 with diesel.Car runs fine apart from in cold weather when it solidifies in the diesel filter and then it don't go.That and the fact that your car smells like a mobile chippy.As for settings he has changed nothing,just tips it in,god only knows what it would do to a turbo.

   Pete

[HiFonics]

I have seen some other posts on this and the verdict was you should run with more than 5% Veg Oil in Landrover. Cant remember what engine they were on about but it hardly seems worth bothering at that percentage. Would make my 17mpg more agreeable though  :D

[strapping young lad]

rapeseed oil eh?


saw acres of the stuff going to driffield the other week!

hmm wonder if a chat to the farmer and a deal could make a niche in the market!  

[davidlandy]

The farmers already know!  - they use rapeseed to make Biodiesel which is now being sold in Tescos/sainsburys

the reason that the mix is 5% is because that is the amount you need to make the emissions better, go above that and they dont get any better I'm told.   Also 5% makes the fuel sustainable - if we went 100% all the farms wouldnt be able to grow enough to keep up!

Dave

[karloss]

They will also run on neat cable oil. And, hydraulic oil if it's diluted with parrafin. Not that I've ever tried Mr Blair. :twisted: