W124 to run on wvo

[ash-Benz]

Hi all

As you can see, I'm a newbie here. Just wanted to pick the brains of you experts on a topic I know has been discussed many times.
I have a W124 1991 300td. I know these cars are capable of running on wvo. I wanted some first hand advice from any of you guys who are currently doing this, what modifications to the engine if any are required? I appreciate your time guys. Thanks

 

[SilverSaloon]

Hi all

As you can see, I'm a newbie here. Just wanted to pick the brains of you experts on a topic I know has been discussed many times.
I have a W124 1991 300td. I know these cars are capable of running on wvo. I wanted some first hand advice from any of you guys who are currently doing this, what modifications to the engine if any are required? I appreciate your time guys. Thanks

yes got two (later) W124's with the 606 engine (yours is the earlier type) - done 100k+ on WVO on one, about 30k on the other

anyhow, it will love it. You'll need to replace the pre-filter, main fuel filter and the in-tank strainer very quickly after starting with vegoil. Depending on how refined your WVO is (are you filtering it yourself?) you may or may not need to constantly change the fuel filters. ensure you carry spares, knowlege and tools to change it at the roadside in dark, pouring with rain conditions.

vegetable oil diesel - home forums are best place for advice on WVO

 

[ash-Benz]

Hi Silverspoon


Thanks for your reply. I've spent hours on the forums doing research, but all the different views are just confusing. It's reassuring getting advice first hand, I really appreciate it.

So when these filters and the strainer start to fail, what symptoms should I look out for? Or is it a case that the engine will cut out/fail to start?

 

[darkchild101]

Hi Silverspoon


Thanks for your reply. I've spent hours on the forums doing research, but all the different views are just confusing. It's reassuring getting advice first hand, I really appreciate it.

So when these filters and the strainer start to fail, what symptoms should I look out for? Or is it a case that the engine will cut out/fail to start?

I ran a c class c250td on wvo for some time till I had the misfortune of being sold verh very badly filtered wvo. No your engine wont just cut out suddenlymor die on you unless the wvo is worse than what I got. The car will sort of start misfiring/jerking as the dirt starts to clog thd prefilter and the fuel filter. You will know something is wrong way before the engine dying stage

 

[ash-Benz]

Sorry to hear about the misfortune. What damage did it cause to your c250td?

I'm planning on using svo mixed with diesel at a 50/50 mix initially. I will gradually lower the percentage of diesel. Hoping to start using wvo next year in the summer. I am planning on filtering my own, but it would help to have a contact of filtered wvo if know of any?

Thanks

 

[SilverSaloon]

Sorry to hear about the misfortune. What damage did it cause to your c250td?

I'm planning on using svo mixed with diesel at a 50/50 mix initially. I will gradually lower the percentage of diesel. Hoping to start using wvo next year in the summer. I am planning on filtering my own, but it would help to have a contact of filtered wvo if know of any?

Thanks

Hi

dont bother with the 50/50 mix - these cars run and on 100% all the time, if the glowplugs are all working. You'll need 10% petrol in the mix over winter to aid starting in the cold. The car may run a bit rough until it heats up but no biggie vs the cost of diesel.

if the filters are blocking it will feel like its about to run out of fuel, and then the car will conk out. After say 500 miles on veg, i would replace all the filters, the intank filter can just be cleaned.

the WVO needs to be filtered down to 5 micron or less to get trouble free running. I'd be very wary of buying any WVO not filtered by myself - too risky and better to buy SVO new. You wont know how much its been filtered down to and whether its been de-watered or whats been added to it (chemical etc). If its not been filtered enough you'll be replacing filters all the time, 500 miles and less.

As before, the veg forum is by far the best place to get advice. I'm there too under the same username

i would also add - you WILL get blocked filters at the roadside when running veg oil, so you need to be prepared and have the tools in the car. make sure the 1st time you need to do it isnt on the hard shoulder..... replace on the drive 1st, even if they might not need replacing.

ECP is the cheapest for filters, keep an eye out for the discounts.

Also running WVO or SVO is a 'DIY "hobby"'.... if you cant fix your own car, ie replace fuel pipes, meddle with filters, replace glowplugs then the cost of garage fees will outweigh the fuel savings, so you need to be able to do it yourself, otherwise no point.

 

[maxypriest]

Hi

Also running WVO or SVO is a 'DIY "hobby"'.... if you cant fix your own car, ie replace fuel pipes, meddle with filters, replace glowplugs then the cost of garage fees will outweigh the fuel savings, so you need to be able to do it yourself, otherwise no point.

wise words.

 

[ash-Benz]

Excellent advice, just what I was after. There is one more question I wanted to ask. You've explained no mods are required to the 606 engine, some people still recommend getting a pre-heater, is this necessary in your opinion? Thanks

 

[SilverSaloon]

Excellent advice, just what I was after. There is one more question I wanted to ask. You've explained no mods are required to the 606 engine, some people still recommend getting a pre-heater, is this necessary in your opinion? Thanks

no, not on 606 engine personally - i've got two of them running 100% WVO and never fitted a heat exchanger. You can of course fit one, but personally i wouldnt bother if the fuel is returning to the tank. if you loop it so it never returns to the tank then its probably something worth looking into, but why would you want to loop it on a MB

keep it 100% standard (apart from a few new seals, filters and rubber hose). if changing the rubber hoses, swap them out for 10mm ones. You will also need to change the leak off pipes too at some point.

 

[ash-Benz]

Thanks Silver Saloon. I've spent many hours reading up on this topic, and have seen you are a respected member in this area.

So I took the plunge and dropped 20 litres of rapseed oil straight into the tank without any engine mods. Driven 100 miles so far, thankfully no issues to report. I will take the precaution of changing the pre-filter, main filter and cleaning the fuel strainer like you have suggested. The fuel lines were changed recently so ill see how they go, if they show signs of leaking then I will upgrade them like you have suggested.

Thanks again for your invaluable advice, much appreciated.

 

[SilverSaloon]

you'll be fine, just watch the filters!

 

[neilrr]

C250 TDs don't have intank filters.

 

[SilverSaloon]

C250 TDs don't have intank filters.

he doesnt have a C250TD

according to the EPC they do have them anyway.... i know there was a thread on the veg forums about that; has anyone actually stripped one back to see? its listed on the merc EPC as being there and carries a part number.

 

[darkchild101]

Sorry to hear about the misfortune. What damage did it cause to your c250td?

I'm planning on using svo mixed with diesel at a 50/50 mix initially. I will gradually lower the percentage of diesel. Hoping to start using wvo next year in the summer. I am planning on filtering my own, but it would help to have a contact of filtered wvo if know of any?

Thanks

Thats the thing, though the wvo was so badly filtered and engine conked out due to filteres being clogged, the engine suffered no ill effects at all. The biggest headache was how to drain the tank and rid of the bad fuel. In the end I simply put an inline bio/wvo fuel filter off ebay to trap the gunk before it went into the pre filter. I simply changed the wvo filters when they got clogged up

Here is a pic showing how bad the fuel was

 

[darkchild101]

I bought the wvo off a guy on the veg oil forum and was at night when pidked it up.I think was an honest mistake on his part when he gave me 3 good 20 litre drums and one bad one which I poured into the tank for the drve back home. He previously sold me excellent wvo

 

[SilverSaloon]

i'd never use someone elses WVO.

at the very least, i would pass it through a 1 or 5 micron filter sock before putting it in the tank, but then if you have the setup to do that, then you may aswell just collect the WVO yourself and filter it all yourself.

costco is apparently the cheapest place for SVO at the moment, if that helps at about £14.99 for 20 litres i think.

 

[darkchild101]

i'd never use someone elses WVO.

at the very least, i would pass it through a 1 or 5 micron filter sock before putting it in the tank, but then if you have the setup to do that, then you may aswell just collect the WVO yourself and filter it all yourself.

costco is apparently the cheapest place for SVO at the moment, if that helps at about £14.99 for 20 litres i think.

Silverspoon i am currently considering setting up and doing it myself. Problem is i live in a flat and would have to rent a lock up garage (they are like £20 a month here). How much is i to set up a basic operation, thinking of setting a bio operation as i have a Chrysler Grand Voyager 2.5 CRD and wvo wont work that but biodiesel will

As an aside is it easy to replace the black fuel hose om the C250TD. I am talking about the one going into the preheater?

 

[SilverSaloon]

As an aside is it easy to replace the black fuel hose om the C250TD. I am talking about the one going into the preheater?

you need to be very careful getting the pipe/clip off the preheater as the plastic will be brittle and can easily snap, at which point its new pre-heater time.

either take off the manifold for better access (advised!) or if you can undo the jubliee clip, move it out the way with a long screwdriver and cut the pipe carefully away from the preheater, rather than try to pull it off.

once its off its easy to replace.

i just did mine - i chose to use stainless steel braided 10mm hose this time as i had some issues with rodents chewing the veg oil pipes. the rodent issue is pretty much gone now (got some feral cats!) but worth doing IMHO as you never know where you leave the car, how far a rat/mouse is that takes a fancy to your (possibly leaky/veg stained) pipes.

 

[neilrr]

he doesnt have a C250TD

according to the EPC they do have them anyway.... i know there was a thread on the veg forums about that; has anyone actually stripped one back to see? its listed on the merc EPC as being there and carries a part number.

EPC says they don't have them.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/1519315-post15.html

 

[SilverSaloon]

EPC says they don't have them.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/1519315-post15.html

possibly better without anyway!!!