Biofuel Conversion

There's no set biofuel system, but things to track down are;

• how many fuel tanks, probably the main one and an additional one

• Any tank heaters for heating the veg oil

• any fuel line heaters, possibly in the engine bay at the fuel filter

• any fuel switch-over valves

• any additional fuel filters

• err, that's about it I think.

You could get away with just removing the extra tank if there, disconnecting the heaters if present, and figuring out where the fuel switch defaults to and just plumbing the diesel in as the default and removing the wiring.

A bare-bones biofuel system can be just a fuel filter heater though, so the above might not be present.

Ian, thanks for the prompt response. There is an extra tank mounted in the boot, a large amount of "gubbins" under the bonnet and a change-over switch inside the car. From what I can make out the system is making use of the engine cooling system to heat the veg oil inside the engine bay - can't see anything in the tank.

Hmm, maybe it's time to take a serious look and figure out exactly what's what ;-)

Steve,

I would like to complete the Bio-fuel converison in mine (110 Defender), so if you are ripping it out and want a new home for it.........I am sure that we could come to an arangement :-)

Cheers

Peter

Wotcher Steve, there's no rocket science involved in these conversions, so with brain mildly engaged you should have no trouble figuring out what can be removed. Kits cost about £400 or so new so if it looks purpose made and not thrown together from B&Q off-cuts then worth trying to take it off with the components intact. The plumbing won't be worth much but things like the fuel heater are probably worth £30 or so alone.

Hi Peter,

Okay, sounds good. I'll try to take some pictures of the various bits tomorrow before I head off for a short break. I'll post the URL where they can be seen here before I go. Most likely I'll remove the beast at the weekend.

Steve,

I had posted another reply, but it seems to have gone awol!

The principle is very simple. In use the small on-board tank should contain diesel and the main tank veggie fuel. The car is started on diesel and when the engine is warm enough, it is switched to veggie. Similarly towards the end of the journey the switch is reversed and the veggie is flushed out with diesel ready for the restart.

If the system is not is use, there could well be diesel in the main tank.

There may well be an electric heater, but there is normally a second "heat transfer" between (normally) the heater hoses and the veggie.

The switch is probably three port. Veggie or diesel in, veggie or diesel out to the fuel system, then the appropriate return to the two tanks. If you don't do the latter the small tank can fill up with veggie fuel.

I hope that helps! I can probably find you a few links to typical arrangements if its useful.

Cheers

Peter

In addition, this website:

Regards, Richard