How to Convert a Volkswagen Beetle Diesel Engine to Run on Used Vegetable Oil
Using veggie oil for fuel is an environmentally friendly and inexpensive approach to driving.
Volkswagen Beetles with a diesel fuel engine have an advantage when attempting to convert to used vegetable oil as an alternative for fuel, since only diesel engines can be used for this purpose.
Used veggie oil as a source of fuel is a great alternative in warmer climates. In climates that reach temperatures below 25 degrees fahrenheit it may not be as convenient, because the vegetable oil will gel and could clog the engine. It is possible to have the engine switch back and forth from diesel to veggie oil as needed to prevent this from happening.
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Things You'll Need
- Vegetable oil fuel conversion kit
- Waste vegetable oil
- 0.5 micron thick filter bags
Instructions
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Check your diesel engine for rubber seals. Older models of diesel engines were made with these and they will become damaged with the use of vegetable oil as fuel. Newer diesel engines do not have this problem.
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Buy your vegetable oil fuel conversion kit from a reliable source and unless you have mechanical experience with engines, avoid at-home installation kits.
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Commission a mechanic to perform the installation of your veggie oil fuel conversion kit. The kit will be placed in the trunk of the car and will be hooked up to the radiator. Having the conversion kit connected to the radiator makes the veggie oil heat up and become more liquid before it enters the engine as fuel. A switch that will enable you to manually choose if you want diesel or veggie oil fuel will be installed on your Beetle's dashboard, as well as a fuel gauge that will measure the vegetable oil fuel level.
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Visit local restaurant to find a good source for used veggie oil. Oriental restaurants most commonly have the cleanest waste oil and are usually glad to make riddance of it without having to pay the required government disposal fees. The cleanest waste oils should be amber in color making it easier to filter for using as fuel.
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Fill up your veggie oil tank with waste oil, passing it through a 0.5 micron thick filter bag that will remove food debris that may clog your car's engine.
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Turn on the engine and warm up the vegetable oil by using diesel fuel for the first five minutes. Wait a couple more minutes if the weather is below 40 degrees fahrenheit. After the required time, you can turn the fuel option switch to veggie oil fuel.
When you are ready to turn the car off, make sure you switch back to diesel fuel five minutes prior to shutting off the engine. This will flush all the veggie oil out of it, preventing any gelling of the oil inside the engine as it cools down. This is especially necessary if you anticipate a temperature drop or if you will not use the car for an extended period of time.
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Tips & Warnings
If your car is still under manufacturer's warranty, check with your dealer to make sure performing this conversion will not void your warranty.
References
- Photo Credit yellow car image by JoLin from Fotolia.com
