Biodiesel

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Try searching the forum for veg oil or vegetable oil! ;)
 
You can also add C250TD and E300TD to your list. Basically most german cars are capable of running on blended or pure vegoil/biodiesel. They make the rubber seals from a different material that is more resistant to the oil.

There is still some doubt over the newer CDi engines.
 
Biodiesel and veg oil are not the same thing. This is quite a huge topic, so I won't go into it here. Anyone really interested say so (publicly) and I will.

I have been running my E300TD on B05 ~B20 Biodiesel, but B100 would be too aggressive for the rubber parts, as Nitrile is needed.

I am soon to convert my car to the best vegetable burner system available. A single tank SVO (straight vegetable oil) system by Elsbett.

Diesels were designed to run on peanut oil, but the crude oil industries soon put a stop to that with crappy black muck! We have been ripped off ever since.

You might be interested in : http://www.elsbett.com/engl/index.htm

The conversion will cost around £1,500. The SVO will cost around 65p/litre including UK tax. In most of the rest of Europe the tax is far less for SVO, costing 45p/litre. The UK government feels that a renewable fuel with zero net CO2 and massively reduced emmissions (except slight rise in NOx) and boost to UK farmers is not worth it... :mad:

When I get the work done, I'll let you all know how it goes. :crazy:
 
Ser Demec said:
Biodiesel and veg oil are not the same thing. This is quite a huge topic, so I won't go into it here. Anyone really interested say so (publicly) and I will.

I have been running my E300TD on B05 ~B20 Biodiesel, but B100 would be too aggressive for the rubber parts, as Nitrile is needed.

I am soon to convert my car to the best vegetable burner system available. A single tank SVO (straight vegetable oil) system by Elsbett.
Click to expand...

For veg oil / bio diesel nitrile rubber seals are no good. You require Viton seals which MB fit as standard.

Any MB using a Bosch in-line pump should be able to run upto 100% veg oil without conversion. The only risk is very low temperature starting MAY be affected.
Ideally injectors should be checked regulalrly but assuming the engine to be worked out now and again then even coking won't be a problem.

If the fuel lines create too much drag on the oil then fit larger diameter lines.

It would be fair to say that a few members have tried veg oil upto 100%, for off road use only though! ;) ;)
 
minyak said:
Hi,

Just surfing thru a website where biodiesel is promoted. Have any of you used it? On thier website they say that MB's C200,C220 and E220's are ok with biodiesel..anyone care to highlight?

http://www.biodieselfillingstations.co.uk/outlets.htm

Cheers.
Click to expand...

All MB diesels are designed to be run on Bio-blends. In some European countries all diesel is Bio-blend.

There are two main issues when running Bio. The pump has to be strong enough to cope with the extra viscosity of the oil, (only a problem for 100%) veg oil. The seals have to be veg-oil compatible. MB uses Viton as a matter of course.
 
CDI with B100 biodiesel

So does anyone reckon a 2000 W plate will run ok on comercially produced biodiesel. I have a reliable supplier but am wary?

what problems if nay shoyuld I expect?
 
I think it would be Ok but stick to 20% bio.
 
20% bio?

Is that start with 20% or dont go higher than?

is it the higher viscosity thats the problem with running with less derv or have I misread the problem?
 
I am interested in trying this, motivated by the reduction in pollution rather then any cost savings, although cost savings are welcome.

The company I am looking at claim their biodiesel is the same viscosity as normal diesel and will cause no problems running with 100%.

It costs about 2 pence per litre less then normal diesel.

http://www.biofuelsw.co.uk/

Does any one know if it is it possible, but more costly, to process veg oil to the point where the viscosity is reduced in line with normal diesel?

Thanks, Peter.
 
Well there you go the official MB line on biofuels

12th December 2006

Ref: SR-1-601587965


Dear Mr Lyon

Mercedes-Benz Model: C-Class

Thank you for contacting the DaimlerChrysler Customer Assistance Center whereby you requested information on the utilization of bio-diesel in your Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

We have confirmed with the Mercedes-Benz Technical Specialists that your Mercedes-Benz C-Class is suitable for the use of up to 5% bio-diesel, without any consequential damage.

Should you have any future requirements, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Yours sincerely

Steve Ray
Customer Service
DaimlerChrysler Customer Assistance Center N.V.
Gaetano Martinolaan 10
NL-6229 GS Maastricht, The Netherlands
 
I have been running 100% Bio Diesel in Mercs for years my latest is a C250TD running on my home produced Bio B100 and has done over 60,000 mile on the stuff with no failures
 
Thanks Zippy
An older indirect MB engine will run on just about anything due to the pre-chamber and type of fuel pump.
Newer CDI engined cars can't take higher viscosity fuels but may well be Ok on proper B100.
I run my car on B100 and know a few others using it in various vehicles such as LR DIscovery TD5, Ford Transit Connect and our Skoda.

In the MB there is no noticable difference other than maybe fuel economy is slightly less and the glow plugs need to be used for literaly 1-2 sec. in Winter if the vehicle has stood for even a short time, there is noticably less smoke output, the initial pickup is quicker and the engine is quieter.

The LR and Ford suffer a bit on cold starts in cold weather otherwise service is normal with the added benefits.
The Skoda creates a cloud on cold start and suffers with fuel starvation on hot starts for some reason, otherwise all is good with the positive results also being noticed. This is going to be tried on B50 to see.

Two of the vehicles have gone through MOT tests and have had lower smoke readings than previously as a result of the more complete burning of the fuel.
 
Thanks to all who have posted on this.

Having researched the subject so thoroughly I thought my head would explode, I was intending to go with the thorough Elsbett route and have a one-tank SVO conversion which consists of: http://www.elsbett.com/gb/elsbett-conversion-technology/cars-and-vans.html

Now, conflicting with this, I hear from Dieselman (who seems to know his stuff!) that this kit won't be necessary. There's a German guy who uses only veg oil in his 200D documented here: http://www.rerorust.de/ without modification. He's got videos of start-ups and pictures with the head off to show coking. Not being an expert, I thought his start-ups were laboured, and didn't know what to look for to see coking; (it all looked black and oily!) though he reports no problems.

Armed with this, here's my question: If I change over to 100% veg oil, with my 1992 w124 300D, OM 603.xxx 100K miles, should I have any problems? My engine is in good order, I'm prepared to change the fuel filters after the initial one or two tank-fulls, do I need to retard the timing? What I really want to know is if there is any risk in going ahead and filling-up without modification. Thanks in advance.

There only seem to be conflicting reports of people using SVO; some seem to get by without mods, others come a cropper. One minute, I'm sure I need a conversion kit, the next I hear I can live happily un-modified. I would really like confirmation, as this 300D is a keeper, I'd hate to ruin it through my own fault.

I'd like to echo another member's remark that the fact that I'll be satisfyingly CO2 neutral is my main concern, along with longer-lasting exhausts, (no sulphur) but the cost saving of going the svo route is very much a bonus, with diesel now at £1.09!


P.S. I have a video of me cold starting (okay, 17C!) on diesel here: I hope starting with SVO will be equally as brisk. enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R11QnxYrpRE
 
The letter from Mercedes was interesting and IMO they were just covering themselves. As has been said elsewhere, depending on source and country regular pump diesel is already blended with up to 5% biodiesel.

So a blend of another 5% would probably be prudent if you wanted to minimise risk. ;)
 
Hi

Start with 25% then increase to 50% then 75% and 100% veg if your happy. Neighbour of mine is on 90% veg with about 10% heating oil to thin it down a bit in a 96 124 300D. His runs the best but bit sluggish on the cold mornings.

I run 50% veg 50% derv in a 1998 E300TD no probs at all.

I buy in Lidl their cheapest stuff. It is 67p in the north of Ireland and 50p in the south (67 cents).

Trial with different % to see what you are happy with.

230K
 
I know things vary from Lidl to Lidl but what is the name of oil that you buy?
 
230K Do you have any starting issues in the cold weather on 50/50 mix?
I have been running on WVO mixed with 5% unleaded petrol and only recently needed some dinodiesel to help with cold starts on my E300D non turbo W210.
I did have some diesel knock due to a coked injector but its a little better after some injector cleaner.
It runs fine when warm but does need a little more maintenance on veg. More frequent oil changes due to engine oil contamination and regular doses of injector cleaner. A small price to pay since every mile is a smile at 20p/ litre.
 
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