Running on Veg Oil

Well, I've been running my Iveco van (2.9 litre, normally aspirated, common rail engine) on veg Oil/Diesel mix for a while now and thought I'd share some findings.

I started off running a straight 50/50 mix. Bung 20 litres in at the pump and then topped it up with a 20 litre tub of Macro's finest.

With no problems running on that, I increased the ratio to 70 Oil / 30 Diesel and its even better!

I now dread running the van when I know it's only going to have diesel in it.
Running it with straight diesel leaves it rough and gutless. It cruises reluctantly at 65 on the motorways and slows on hills.

On 50/50 mix its a lot smoother, has noticeably more power and comfortably cruises about 10mph higher. I'm also getting over 10% better economy.

Running at 70/30 is a revellation! It actually feels like I've added a turbo. The van never gets to the point where you feel your head move back under acelleration on 100% diesel but it does on 70 oil /30 diesel mix. It runs quieter, has much more power, runs smoother, has better response and doesn't smoke under heavy loads.
No more slowing on hills either... and better MPG.

And despite all of the cold weather I haven't had any starting issues with 70/30 mix and I'm not running a preheater.

60 litres of Diesel now costs around £70.
60 litres of 70/30 costs £40.

I save 30 quid a tank and get more power, smoother, quieter running, better response and better economy!

I'll be changing the fuel filter ever 3000 miles just to make sure (a fiver)

And to clarify the law, you can use 2500 litres of Oil a year without declaring it. Use 2501 litres and you have to declare the lot.

For those that are self employed and run diesel cars, find out where your local cash and carry is and check out their oil prices.

Its definitely worth looking at.

Once the weather warms up, I'll be using 100% veg Oil.

C

you changed any rubber fuel hoses yet? when running veg oil you need to be sure what fuel pump is fitted as some it ends up knackering.
wish i could run it but the TD5 engine don't like it.

The bloke I get my oil from has been running his TD5 on 50/50 for three years and he's never had a problem. All he does is change the fuel filter regularly. He's been a mechanic for 30 years.

I thought it was the ethanol in Biofuels that rotted the rubber. No ethanol in standard veg oil.

C

[Richie]

I wonder if my mk6 escort "Shed" 1.8 turbo diesel can run on oil...?

Looks like it'll be fine...

http://www.vegetableoildiesel.co.uk/...ge=1#pid151154

[mattSV]

Where do I get an avatar like the first one in that thread

[_Stretchie_]

Cool, out of interest which oil you using? I tried bunging in 20 litres (75% diesel - 25% veg) before christmas and all was fine.

Reading through other forums there seems to be a POSSIBLE issue using stuff with anti-foaming agants in it. I had a look at all the 15l-20l containers at Makro this week and there was only one that didn't have the anit-foaming agent in.

Any ideas/comments on this?

I figured it out at a saving of £7 for every 20l of veg I use instead of diesel. So if I ran 25% veg on each tank that would save me £28 a month, £56 if I did 50/50 a tank..

[Viney]

It wont work in my car, i have tried, runs really rough and dont start at all. Cost a fortune to sort out!

dont think my boss would like me running a new TDCI ranger on it.. as much as I would prefer it.

[dirtydog]

Hmmmm I wonder if I can run my yr 2000 TDi Transit on it, used to run my non turbo Transit it on a 50/50 mix with no trouble, althoug one of the injectors did pack up but i'm not sure if that was down to the veg oil or just old age and lack of servicing