PING: Burgerman, Elder, other alternative fuel peeps

Isn't the GT-TDI a PD engine?

Using veg. oil is a *very* bad idea, if so.

Might not be a GT. I possibly made that bit up because he's the type to have a GT...

Not sure of figures, but some of the various 4x4 groups that I have visited when looking into it ("gas guzzlers" tend to look into it more than city hatchbacks strangely) reported better MPG, sometimes more ooomph, and less engine rattle running SVO or well filtered WVO in ratios of upto 30/40% oil in the winter and 50/60% oil in the summer. That is for straight one tank, no additional heating type systems.

People who run multitanks and heaters switch to 100% veg oil once upto temp without any issues. Seems to be the type of pump used though that is important. Inline pumps seems to work, I think it was bosch mainly, the "other make" fail because I think they were rotary/cavitation pumps and can't pump the thicker straight oil.

And I think the pre PD engines were better, but don't know about the PD engine problems. Mercs and some pugs do well.

I've ran 3 older Citroen 1.9TDs on SVO with no mods for over 60k miles in all weathers with no probs at all. Can take a couple of goes to start when it's below freezing and you get some weird looks in Tesco with 20 bottles of veg oil in a trolley. Especially when you walk to the car park and pour it in the tank :-)

As elder says, less engine rattle, and consumption down in summer from 43mpg to 49mpg

Mike P

Mike P

Petrol has around 14500 to 14700 calories per pound Diesel has around 14,900 to 15,300 depending on exactly whats in it. Methanol (no oil but from crops) has only 7000 calories per pound. The reason you need to flow 2.2 times as much of it!!! But oil from crops has an unknown (to me) amount - more obviously! Weird. If it hasnt then you would not get more MPG. Wonder why they dont rub turbojets on it. I feel a plan comming on! Its gona smell like 1000 chip shops in my garden tommorow...

At the moment, after my 1MPH crawl home down the Mancunian way tonight,=20 followed by steady 85 down the M62, I'm torn between an old Merc Diesel=20 auto on veggie, and an LPG rangie auto with armchairs (and no I don't=20 want an S class cottage in the country). Consumption of petrol is almost acceptable except when on the crawl, and=20 a rangie on gas would be similar to the Octavia on petrol =A3 for =A3. The merc on part veggie would be far cheaper, but would be easier for=20 people to bully infront of because lane one is both the entry and next=20 exit slip and the person squeezing infront and pushing your wing isn't=20 getting off.

--=20 Carl Robson Audio stream:

kJ 35000 per Kg. (Rape seed oil- but heres a problem, they are all different so grabbing a 5 litre can at sainsburies may get you sunflower. olive, god knows what oil).

Diesel is 15200 calories per pound.

I cant be bothered to do the conversion because it will interfere with my flyboys (no its not gay!) movie...

Ah, luckily I have a Makro card, so I can buy it in 20 litre drums from there and not look dodgy by having a shopping trolley full of oil at Tesco! And with a bit of luck it will always be the same stuff...

Looks like the veg oil will be better, consumption-wise then. Looks like I'll be giving it a diesel/veg mix a whirl next fill up...

That the same 1.9TD that was in the 1993 - 1999 Pug 306? i.e. the pre-HDi lump?

My tesco has an ethnic section where you can buy the big catering=20 corn/veg/rapeseed oil drums.

Not as good a price as a wholesale/club warehouse, but not bad.

And corn/veg/rape will oil run fine. Things like olive or palm oil can=20 be used but thicken up too much for UK cold weather. With a tank preheater, you can even run a diesel on animal fats melted=20 (lard/dripping).

--=20 Carl Robson Audio stream:

Costco have the KTC Vegoil 20 litre drums. Works out at 49p a litre. Just a little less than Tesco who's lowest online is 50p a litre. But in litre bottles.

Double the price of kerosene...

But a lot easier for the man in the street to get hold of in reasonable quantities

Find a couple of old 40 gallon drums. Call any of your local suppliers and the tanker driver will fill them up for you. He does not care what you do with it. Get an old oil heater for your garage if you are a worrier!