E320CDI or E300D + Home Made BioDiesel

[Pendragon]

You are spot on. you have to remove all the methanol. I use to let mine settle for a week in the 205ltr tank that I used and even though it was not always perfect I had no trouble running my vehicles at all. I had Mitsubishi Delicas for 10 years and never ever put diesel in any of them.
There are several methods of making biofuel so look for the one that suits you and whatever processor you buy. As I said in a email to you, if you move to the SW I will pop down and see if I can run you through it.
I have made bio and been running on it in less than 24 hours.

I would start with a mix before taking the 100% plunge, say 30% bio and then steadily increase it.

Keith

 

[joeysnowey]

You're a top man thanks Keith.

 

[Pendragon]

No problem....................and don't forget you HAVE to do a Titration test to determine how much Potassium you need to use and the state/condition of your used veggie oil will determine this.
When you are ready to begin making bioo then let me know what processor you have and I will email you the instructions I used for making biofuel providing your processor is along the same set up as I had.

Keith

 

[joeysnowey]

Thanks Keith certainly will do. I am going for the processor you recommended once I can, hopefully in next week.

 

[Pendragon]

Excellent, let me know when you have it with you !

 

[joeysnowey]

wilco

 

[Slowdown]

New to MB

Hi All,
Just new to MBClub, and indeed Mercedes!

sorry to jump in on this thread, but it looks like just the one i was looking for.

Just saved a 1997 C250TD from local salvage yard, could not believe they were going to strip it!
it still has an MOT till Feb 2013
only problems it had was,
would not start when cold / slight excess oil from engine breather, and key fob batteries dead.

solved the starting problem, (new heater plug relay)
solved the key fob problem (2 new batteries)
excess oil ??? have fitted a catch tank to clean up air intake.

I will be running this car on B100 Biodiesel from this day forward,
like Pendragon (Keith i believe ? )
I make my own bio, and have done so for over 2 years,
l was wondering if anyone had some info about this model running on B100, and now see they do.

My Advice to all who are thinking of using bio, is reserch and reserch again, speak to the people that are already using it (not the ones who had a mate who new a bloke that couldnt)!
I can only comment and advise on the makeing of Biodiesel.
and the running of a 1993 Mitubishi pajero on it!
soon will be able to comment on the running of my 1997 C250TD!

I hope to soon make many freinds here, as what i have read up to now has been very pleasant.
thank you for taking the time to read this,
Paul

 

[Pendragon]

Hi Paul,
You should have no problem at all given that its a 1997 but not all engines are the same, not even the older ones which usually are ideal. Try a 30% mix first and she how she performs and then gradually increase but I would be very surprised if it didn't run on 100% as long as it is made properly. You say you have been making biofuel for 2 years so you know what your end product is like and you have been running a Pajero which like the Delica ae virtually "bomb proof" and a great vehicle to use bio in, so good that the Pajero I owned ran purely on cooking oil off the shelf from Tesco...............but to anyone else reading this....../.don't try that at home as there are not many cars that can do this without blowing the pump seals....even Pajero's and Delicas.

Your advice about research is bang on....I have known people who have "listen to a mate because they have a mate etc'" and then had to dig into their bank balance for costly repairs and as you probably know, thee are a few ways of making biofuel and lots of different processors......................and many of them accidents just waiting to happen. So you are right. Do the correct research not only on the best way to make it but also the safest a way and take a long hard look at the processors before jumping in and buying one.

Well done on salvaging the Merc and let us know how you get on !


Keith

 

[Slowdown]

Hi Keith,
Rescued the Pajero from my dad as he was going to sell it for scrap due to cost of running!
He doesn’t believe in bio, or as he calls it “joke fuel / funny fuel”.
And even I thought bio was a joke when I started using it in the Pajero!
Within a month the truck sprang leaks and started to cut out!
Being a 1993, it was the pump seal and fuel lines, due to them being made from cheep rubber.
Pump was £250 to replace seals with quality ones, bought 30 meter PVC fuel line £30 (only needed 5mtr).
Fitted in line fuel heater £110 and a small electric lift pump to assist main pump £40.
It’s run for 2 years since with no problem on B100.

Have bought fuel filters in bulk for Mercedes as I intend to switch to B100 immediately, will change them weekly for first 2 months, and then see how it goes!
Just another bit of advise to those intending to use bio, check engine oil very regular to see if the level has risen (rings maybe gummed).
Just a quick question re engine heavy breathing (oil from breather getting into air intake).
I’ve been advised by local Mercedes mechanic to change its oil and filter a few times over the next month and drive it like I stole it, as he has checked its history and looks like it been a low mileage city car for about 10 years! Is this good advice as it doesn’t sound good to me?
Thanks to all at MBClub
Paul

 

[Pendragon]

I would certainly have a filter or two in the boot as the methanol will strip your tank of all the crud but I see no reason to drive it like you have stole it. Just drive it normally. I have never had to use a heater but it wouldn't hurt.
Check oil level every week for a few months to be on the safe side and just change the oil about every 6 months. Having said that I only ever changed mine ion all my vehicles once a year when I did a yearly service and I had no problems whatsoever.

Don't when you bought the fuel pump seals but you got stung on the price. I use to get mine from a dealer in the New Forest area and just £22.50 for the full set and they were quality seals made for using biofuel and a lot of my members in my 4x4 club buy them. Takes about 1 hour to strip and fit new ones.

Good luck and happy, cheap motoring !

Keith

 

[Slowdown]

pump seals

thanks Kieth,
I didnt do the pump myself, hence the price!
found out after, i paid it was not that dificult
You learn something new every day!!
Always cary new filters, and just as inportant "the spanner to change it"
fuel heater is to run it in winter without the need to mix.
I believe this car has a sadle tank, so may need to look at possably fitting a tank heater as well.
they are just like an electric blanket.
there is anough room in the spare wheel compartment (where the battery is) to fit another battery so will do this as well.
Is there a section to post about Bio related things as we seem to of hyjacked this thread?
Paul

 

[Pendragon]

Not sure if there is a section for Biofuel users. You could also do a duel tank conversion with bio in one with a switch to flick it over to bio....start on regular fuel and end on regular fuel.....that way it cleans the injectors out.


Keith

 

[Slowdown]

Thanks Keith,
Nice idea,
Will look into that
chears
Paul

 

[jgs600]

congrats on getting a c250, just got mine a month ago and soon as i got her home filled her with my bio homebrew ive been making for over 3 years, the merc runs sweet, bought a new fuel filter but decided to run her a few hundred miles before i put the new one in, did this last week and the old one was full of old cruddy black deposits from the tank.

love the car, just had a decat pipe fitted and having the ecu chipped to 175bhp in the next month.
on holiday at the moment in my trusty 2001 volvo v40 diesel estate 154 thousand on the clock and the last 18 thousand on 100% bio... still cant break the dam thing...lol

 

[neilrr]

Is this a W202 C250 DT?

If yes, can you tell me more about the re-chip? Who does it, cost +++.

Ta.

 

[Pendragon]

There are a lot of people offering a chip service but my advice is make sure you pick a reputable one. There are a few threads on here about chipping and mapping which will point you in the right direction and you will soon get a good idea of who to go to and what it will cost.

Avoid Ebay sellers though as the consensus is that they are useless.

Keith

 

[jgs600]

contacted a company called CCC Technology and had a good chat with the owner there.
They take the ecu and take out the chip and re solder a remapped one. yes this is for the c250 1998 turbodiesel model. takes the bhp from the standard 150bhp to 175bhp and increases the torque even more. price was £199 and turnaround time was a day or so depending on the courier i used to send my ecu to him.

 

[Slowdown]

C250td on bio

congrats on getting a c250, just got mine a month ago and soon as i got her home filled her with my bio homebrew ive been making for over 3 years, the merc runs sweet, bought a new fuel filter but decided to run her a few hundred miles before i put the new one in, did this last week and the old one was full of old cruddy black deposits from the tank.

love the car, just had a decat pipe fitted and having the ecu chipped to 175bhp in the next month.
on holiday at the moment in my trusty 2001 volvo v40 diesel estate 154 thousand on the clock and the last 18 thousand on 100% bio... still cant break the dam thing...lol

thats great to hear,
had done some checking before buying the car, but as it was so cheep, decided it was not going to be a great loss if it failed to run.
but now i like it, so would be a bit disapointed if i killed it now!

 

[Slowdown]

re map

contacted a company called CCC Technology and had a good chat with the owner there.
They take the ecu and take out the chip and re solder a remapped one. yes this is for the c250 1998 turbodiesel model. takes the bhp from the standard 150bhp to 175bhp and increases the torque even more. price was £199 and turnaround time was a day or so depending on the courier i used to send my ecu to him.

Defently not an expert on this.
but i was under the impresion that the ECU on this car can be remapped in situe, (no need to fit another)?

i have got the leads and the software to do this but just too frightend to atempt to mess with the ECU!
so i will just do the diagnostics and reset the service indicater with it.
one i work out how to use it!

 

[jamie cdi]

bio is king