How to Convert From Diesel to Fryer Oil
Regular vehicles that run on diesel fuel can be converted to run on used fryer oil (also known as straight vegetable oil, or SVO). Used fryer oil can be obtained by collecting it from restaurants that use fryers. Converting a standard diesel to run on used fryer oil requires adding a conversion kit to be able to run the vehicle on the vegetable oil. Once you install a conversion kit, you will reduce your dependence on petroleum.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Diesel-powered vehicle
- Fuel tank conversion kit
- 2- to 3-gallon secondary fuel tank
- Grinder
- Heat exchanger
- Power drill
- Metal screws
- Right Stuff (Permatex)
- Hose splitter
- 3-line fuel hose
- Fuel valves
- Fuel lines
- Coolant lines
- 3-port selector valve
- SVO fuel filter
- T-valve
- Selector switch
Instructions
-
Secondary Tank Setup
-
1
Find an old vehicle that runs on diesel fuel by looking for used cars online or in your local newspaper.
-
2
Purchase a fuel conversion kit and install it yourself or have it professionally installed. The fuel conversion kit is used to install a secondary tank to the vehicle (see Resources below).
-
-
3
Cut a hole into the top of the secondary fuel tank with a grinder for the heat exchanger. Place the plate for the heat exchanger over the hole and make a mark in each corner for screws.
-
4
Pre-drill the screw holes into the heat exchanger plate and the secondary fuel tank using a power drill.
-
5
Apply Permatex's Right Stuff sealant to the bottom of the exchanges plate and then set in the hole in the secondary tank (see Resources below). Secure the plate to the tank by inserting screws into the screw holes and tightening them with the power drill. Apply Permatex's Right Stuff over the screws to seal any gaps.
-
6
Place the secondary fuel tank in the trunk or in the vehicle's spare wheel well, if available.
-
7
Remove the coolant hose that is connected to the radiator. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws that are securing the hose clamp.
-
8
Install a hose splitter to the radiator so hot water will be sent to the heat exchanger.
-
9
Run a 3-line hose for the coolant and the fuel line from the secondary tank to the engine compartment. The lines will need to be run underneath the car, which may require drilling or cutting a hole in the bottom of the trunk to run the lines.
-
10
Connect two of the hose lines to the heat exchanger and the third hose line to the fuel line on the secondary gas tank.
-
11
Connect the two lines from the heat exchanger to the hose splitter on the radiator. Make sure to connect the coolant line from the engine to the splitter as well.
Fuel Line Setup
-
12
Remove the fuel line that runs from the original fuel filter and the injector pump. Attach the fuel line from the secondary tank to the input on the SVO fuel filter.
-
13
Attach the original fuel filter to the selector valve input port. Connect the output from the SVO fuel filter to the fuel selector valve secondary input port.
-
14
Attach a T-valve between the selector valve input port and the injection pump.
-
15
Remove the fuel line return from output of the fuel tank and injector pump. Re-connect the fuel line return to the T-valve that was placed between the selector valve input port and the injection pump.
-
16
Install the selector switch in your vehicle's dashboard to complete the installation. Use either a manual selector switch or an electrical selector switch.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Start the vehicle with diesel fuel to warm the fryer oil before it can be used to power the engine.
An electric selector switch will need to be wired to the fuel selector valve.
Fryer oil that is too thick can clog and damage the fuel injectors.
