Mythbusters and Waste Oil fuel

[jeep6.2diesel]

Has anyone seen the episode on Mythbusters where they run a Mercedes Benz Diesel on Waste Frying oil that is only filtered? Is this possible? I thought you had to boil it, clean it, filter it and so on?

[ob_1jr]

as long as it is filtered good and heated to thin it out, it can be done. That's what WVO is (waste vegetable oil). You just have to start the vehicle on diesel to get it up to operating temps and then flip a switch and you are running on veggie. Remember the first diesel engine ran on peanut oil. Just read the sponored links in between our posts. (http://fryertofuel.hypermart.net/store/index.html)

[Camel413]

I have also read some where that the Mercedes Diesel is pretty tough and can survive a lot of punishment. They seem to be willing to be run on many different fuels, one article was using the Mercedes to test a lot of diesel type of fuels, but in the end they killed it with something that wasnt too much like diesel.

[Stopal]

I saw that episode ,, they didnt really get to invlolved with WVO ,, lots more info out that ( www.greasecar.com ) ,, the oil has to be heated to around 130 degrees to be used in a deisel engine ,, , I just bought a Benz that was already converted to WVO , and it runs great, Ill be converting my pickup son also.

[jdemaris]

Originally Posted by ob_1jr

Remember the first diesel engine ran on peanut oil. Just read the sponored links in between our posts. (http://fryertofuel.hypermart.net/store/index.html)

According to the historical record (i.e. I wasn't there), the first diesel was invented by Dugald Clark, not Rudolph Diesel - in 1878. It was a supercharged two-stroke and ran on kerosene. It later became the principal behind the Detroit Diesel "Jimmy" two-stroke-cycle engine.
The first three four-stroke-cycle diesels built by Rudolph Diesel were all run on kerosene, not peanut-oil - when demonstrated to the public - but the first two failed, only the third became accepted for purchase - ca. 1893 and 1985. Supposedly, he demonstrated that the engine, besides running on kerosene, also ran on shale oil, coil oil, soy oil, peanut oil, etc.

[jdemaris]

Originally Posted by jeep6.2diesel

Has anyone seen the episode on Mythbusters where they run a Mercedes Benz Diesel on Waste Frying oil that is only filtered? Is this possible? I thought you had to boil it, clean it, filter it and so on?

It's just a matter of getting it through the filters. If there are too many large particles in the the fuel, the filters plug. I've used basically untreated waste frying oil and also waste motor oil for years in my diesels. Winter temperatures and waste cooking oil can present some big gelling problems as compared to a winter-blend of diesel fuel.

The reason why Mercedes is so popular is that most of the Mercedes diesels - at least the older ones, use in-line pumps. In-line pumps are much more durable than rotary pumps - like GM diesels use. With an in-line pump, there is a separate injection pump for every cylinder. Each little individual pump feeds directly to each cylinder. A rotary pump - like GM uses, has to use a distributor section to send fuel in different directions all originating from a common source. This part (head & rotor section) uses critical tolerances and does not handle certain fuels very well. So - take a Chevy with an Isuzu 4-cylinder diesel in the US - e.g. a Chevette 1.8 or a LUV 2.2. It uses a little VE type Kiki rotary pump with just one set of plungers to serve all four cylinders delivered indirectly. Same engine as used in Europe usually has a Zexel-type in-line pump with one injection plunger pump for every cylinder.
Just do the math - a GM 6.2 or 6.5 diesel has one little pair of plungers (moving simultaneously) doing all the pumping for eight cylinders. If it had an in-line, there would be eight plungers - one movement for each for each cylinder firing.
One problem with in-line pumps is they are big - not compact like rotaries.

[wisewolf1]

hi i dont heat it and i live in mi been buning waste veg for a year now just have to put in additives dont be scared try it eamile for more info

[popscat]

i have 2 1984 mercedes diesels and 2 chevy diesels wvo must be free of water and filtered and heated to run properly. i use b100 in all my diesels and during the winter i add kerosene and a drying agent.

[TexasHauler]

Originally Posted by jdemaris

According to the historical record (i.e. I wasn't there), the first diesel was invented by Dugald Clark, not Rudolph Diesel - in 1878. It was a supercharged two-stroke and ran on kerosene. It later became the principal behind the Detroit Diesel "Jimmy" two-stroke-cycle engine.
The first three four-stroke-cycle diesels built by Rudolph Diesel were all run on kerosene, not peanut-oil - when demonstrated to the public - but the first two failed, only the third became accepted for purchase - ca. 1893 and 1985. Supposedly, he demonstrated that the engine, besides running on kerosene, also ran on shale oil, coil oil, soy oil, peanut oil, etc.

I always thought R. Diesel invented the diesel engine, so in light of your post I went researching. This is what I came up with:

Dugald Clerk designed the first two-stroke diesel engine in 1878 and patented it in England in 1881. Later Joseph Day adapted it to gasoline, the gasoline two stroke cycle, and the concept of cylinder ports replacing head valves, were both invented by Joseph Day. Day's inventions were subsequently adapted for two-stroke diesels, and modern two-stroke diesels of all sizes either incorporate elements of both designs, with cylinder port inlets and cylinder head exhaust valves, or use cylinder ports for both inlet and exhaust.
You are correct that Clerk did invent the first "diesel" engine in that the valve arrangement is similar to the 4 stroke diesel engine, but it is not the same as the modern adaptation of the 4 stroke diesel, which was originally invented and patented by Rudolph Diesel.

Another interesting tidbit I came across when I was researching this:

"Rudolph Diesel died under mysterious circumstances in 1913, vanishing during an overnight crossing of the English Channel on the mail steamer Dresden from Antwerp to Harwich. Rumors flew about suicide, accidents or foul play but they were all pure speculation.

Believers of the assassination theory point out that shortly after Diesel's death, a diesel-powered German submarine fleet became the scourge of the seas. Diesel had been friendly to France, Britain and the United States."

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dugald_Clerk
http://www.tiscali.co.uk/motoring/diesel/history.html

[GoremanX]

Originally Posted by jdemaris

It's just a matter of getting it through the filters.

erm... right, and then not letting it sit in the lines when the engine's not running.

If you turn off the engine and there's still WVO in the lines, or worse, in the injectors, then you can pretty much kiss the injection system goodbye. The WVO will solidify in the lines and/or injectors and clog up everything. That's why it's important to switch the engine back to diesel for a little while before turning it off.

[Swedish Cad]

ANY oil used for frying or cooking (exept oliveoil) can be used. Upside thing is that your car will smell like an hamburgerstand. Downside thing is that the car wont start below 10 degr. C/50 degr.F And you can't use it on any car with exhaust cleanig systems,particletraps and catalysists(or whatever they're called)
This because that when the exhaust gets clogged,the engine steps up the exhaust gastemp a little and burn it clean.When using biooils there is this aminoacidchains that doesent get burned out and clog the system. When engine does it's cleansing they sticks like glue,the engine sensors that it needs to try harder and then it escalates....
If you're lucky you get to change the exhaust parts-if not the combustion temp was a little to high...
I've don't know how hot the US engines run-but European engines does!

[jdemaris]

Originally Posted by TexasHauler

You are correct that Clerk did invent the first "diesel" engine in that the valve arrangement is similar to the 4 stroke diesel engine, but it is not the same as the modern adaptation of the 4 stroke diesel, which was originally invented and patented by Rudolph Diesel.

Dugald "Clark" or "Clerk" (historical records don't all agree on the spelling) was the first to market a sucessful compression-ignition engine for practical purposes. Yes, it was different the the compression-ignition engine "adapted" later by Rudolph Diesel. I say "adapted" because all these guys made their rigs based on inventors before them.

That being said, Clarks design -two-stroke-cycle and supercharged - evolved into one of the most famous Diesel engines in the world - the Detroit "Jimmy."

[meb727]

Filtered, dewatered, heated WVO will run a diesel-BUT-the glycerine, animal fats, & other crud WILL jam up your piston rings eventually & play havoc w/your injection system-that's why biodiesel is the way to go. Unfortunately.

[antisocl1]

I have been using the DSE additive for a year now in a bunch of off road applications, tractors and skid loaders. I don't add the kerosene or gas they suggest but have to do a 50/50 mix with diesel and then filter down to 1 micron. Works real well so far.

[priespa1]

Originally Posted by antisocl1

I have been using the DSE additive for a year now in a bunch of off road applications, tractors and skid loaders. I don't add the kerosene or gas they suggest but have to do a 50/50 mix with diesel and then filter down to 1 micron. Works real well so far.

Now to the tip of the day for you....
You can save the money you spend on the DSE stuff. Just make your 50-50 blend, filter it, and run on that. Same result and some money saved.

The DSE stuff, according to the MSDS sheet, contains some real nasty stuff that is very unfriendly to the environment, and on top of that very cancerous.

The adding of gasoline to veg oil makes it a lot thinner. About 10% gasoline will make a huge difference in viscosity. The thing is that the change does not appear at once, but let it sit for a few days and you'll notice it.

Just skip the DSE snake oil, you'll do both your self and the environment a favor.