How to Convert a Mercedes to Run on Waste & Vegetable Oil?
Much attention has been given to developing ways of building cars that consume less gas per mile. New technologies are being developed to increase the efficiency of hybrid and electric cars, as well as alternative energy sources such as fuel cells and hydrogen powered cars. However, until these technologies become more advanced and affordable, converting diesel vehicles to run on vegetable oil remains a tried and true option for minimizing your car's effect on the environment.
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Things You'll Need
- Vegetable oil conversion kit
- Second gas tank
- Mercedes diesel vehicle
- Grinder tool
- Sealant
Instructions
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1
Purchase a vegetable oil conversion kit that is appropriate for the size of your car. As of 2010, kits average around $500. Before purchasing your kit, consult with a professional to double-check that it is suitable for your car.
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2
Install a second fuel tank in your trunk. This is where the waste vegetable oil will be stored. Attach the fuel line to the tank, which will run to your fuel filter. Either mount the tank or find a way to construct a housing for the tank—perhaps out of scrap lumber—so that the tank is stabilized in your trunk.
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3
Use a grinder to make a hole in your vegetable oil tank. This is where the heat exchanger will attach to the tank. Attach the heat exchanger plate and seal the screws and edges. Attach a pair of hoses to the heat exchanger, through which hot water will cycle from the radiator to and from the vegetable oil tank. Wrap the hot water hoses around the fuel line to help heat the fuel before it reaches the engine. Note that the hot water will not go into the vegetable oil tank— it simply surrounds the fuel line. Wrap insulation around the fuel line and hot water hoses to maximize the heat that will be transferred to the fuel line.
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4
Install a hose splitter from the main output hose of the radiator. The splitter will send hot water directly from the radiator to your vegetable oil tank and the hot water hoses that are attached to the heat exchanger. Run the hot water hose from the splitter to the heat exchanger water hoses on your vegetable oil tank. You will want to install the hot water hose underneath your car, following the same pathway that the fuel line does to your vegetable oil tank.
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5
Pick a place on your dashboard to install a manual switch and fuel gauge for your vegetable oil tank. This will tell you how much veggie oil is in your tank. The manual switch must be installed in order to switch the car from running regular diesel to running vegetable oil when the vegetable oil is hot enough.
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Tips & Warnings
Allow enough time for the car to warm up before switching from regular diesel to vegetable oil, otherwise the vegetable oil will be too cold and will severely damage your engine. Also, be sure to switch back to regular diesel before turning your car off so that the system is purged of the vegetable oil.
Older diesel vehicles will have rubber seals in their fuel systems, which quickly degrade when they come into contact with waste vegetable oil. If you are using an older diesel, make sure that it does not have rubber seals.
If you are not familiar with car mechanics you will save a lot of time and trouble by paying a certified mechanic who is familiar with vegetable oil conversions to do the job for you.
