Date: Tue, 26 Mar 2002 18:49:49 -0800
Reply-To: Andrew <Andrew@VWMAIL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Andrew <Andrew@VWMAIL.NET>
Subject: Re: Vanagon alternative fuel (long but lots of good links)
Content-Type: text/plain
Anybody running their diesels on LPG?
I've seen a few diesel trucks running on LPG, little odor and no smoke.
Andrew
1984 Westy "Speed Bump"
1996 VW Jetta Trek "Little Beep" (the wife's car)
The Basket Bus http://www.creativegifts2go.com/vw.html
--- WVVW <wvveedub@NETSCAPE.NET> wrote:
>Chris,
>
>Actually, there are several of us on the list who have been 'researching' alternative fuels. I have been reading about them quite a bit over the past year.
>
>To answer your question, any diesel engine can run on vegetable oils. One would wonder why, if that is the case, why it isn't more widely used. Actually, there are several:
>
>1. Cost. Vegetable oil is more costly to produce at this time than plain old diesel fuel. However, you can run a diesel on 'pre-used' vegetable oils, like the stuff out of the drums behind McDonald's. Usually, it is free, but you must carefully filter it.
>
>2. Vegetable oils are only combustable once the engine reaches operating temperature. There are systems available (www.greasecar.com, www.greasal.com) that allow you to install a second tank and special valves that allow the vehicle to start on diesel, then run on straight vegetable oil.
>
>3. The polyunsaturated fats in vegetable oils begin to crystalize at temperatures below 0 degrees, clogging fuel lines and injectors. It is possible to filter the polyunsaturated fats by bringing the oils to -15 degrees and remove the crystals. But, the polyunsaturated fats are what mostly gives the oil it's combustability.
>
>However, there are other alternatives. Bio-diesel is becoming more popular as an alternative fuel. Bio-diesel is made from 'pre-used' vegetable oils and then processing it with lye and methanol (both over the counter products). The result is a fuel that can be used without having to be concerned with the crystalization problems or cooler temperatures. There are companies that manufacture a form of bio-diesel under the moniker 'b-20' or 'b-40'.
>
>Here is a company, based in Ohio, that make bio-based lubricants, including a high performance motor oil used by some NASCAR drivers:
>http://www.renewablelube.com/
>
>To get recipies to 'brew your own' bio-diesel, visit:
>http://www.journeytoforever.org
>
>Both Penn State and The University of Saskatchewan (Canada) have done extensive research on the subject:
>http://www.ems.psu.edu/info/explore/VegeFuels.html
>http://www.arts.usask.ca/policynut/emixes.htm
>
>There are also some interesting articles on the Science News site:
>http://www.sciencenews.org/sn_arc98/12_5_98/Bob2.htm
>
>While there are several drawbacks to using vegetable oil or bio-diesel as a fuel, the main dispute appears to be lack of convienence. Since you can't drive up to you local gas station and pump it into you car (or Vanagon), people don't want to use it.
>
>Personally, I'd like to see the old diesel vanagons back on the road using bio-fuel as opposed to scrapping them for conversion parts.
>
>(Thanks to John for a lot of the links)
>--
>Brian
>'85 Vanagon 7-passenger GL
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