hello,
my first post here!
so I'm interested in getting started in biodiesel (or at least the science behind it...) and was wondering if anyone knows of a cheap but good down-scaled model of one of the full sized (td5/tdi) diesel engines?
I'm still running gasoline in my jeep but if I can learn the ins and outs on a smaller, cheaper engine I'd be willing to go and get a diesel samurai or defender...

I don't have much of any experience with diesel engines, and I don't have much of a garage to work in, so something small I could work on out in my patio would be needed... and when I get into actualy making biodiesel I'd like to see and test it before going and buying a several thousand dollar truck and realizing I screwed up the engine by making some newbie mistake...
it's a confidence/perfectionist issue... but I feel it's well founded...

would a model airplane diesel engine work for this purpose? they seem too simplified... or is this the equivalent of a 2 stroke gas engine for diesel?

thanks,
-Ian

Model airplane Diesels are a totally different Kettle of fish and won't run on Bio or Diesel. They use mainly ether.

The sort of engine you want would be one of the Chinese Yanmar Copies like this [IMG]http://i.ebayimg.com/01/!BS58Iv!!2k~$(KGrHgoOKjsEjlLmUU31BKFkuVpgUQ~~_12.JPG[/IMG]

I have 3 of them ( plus a German Hatz type ) and they are fun to play with and will happily digest Bio, WVO and all sorts of blends thereof.
Not sure exactly how Cheap they are, certainly not as inexpensive as just taking the word of hundreds of people here that Bio does work, but I think that would be the thing to go for.

You may also like to get a car alternator and some 12V lights or an invertor and make a cheap generator just to give the thing a load to work against.

thank you, I really appreciate the source...
but my reason for asking was because I don't have the funds to buy another car. Though, I want to try my hand at producing biodiesel so when I do need a new car I know that the stuff I've made is good...
and it's not so much that I don't think bio works... it's more of my curiosity needing to see it work in a cheaper engine... like... you don't go buy a Nikon D3 or a Cannon EOS-1D Mark IV if you don't understand how to create a provocative photograph...
while I can regurgitate the Wikipedia article on diesel engines... I don't understand them... plus knowing the ins and outs of any engine can't be a bad thing... especially after my last bill from the auto shop... fraking hell...

I think that some Jeeps come with a VMmotori diesel that is also used in LandRover and Alfa Romeo's. You might be able to change engines in your current car. The extra cost of making a diesel means that you don't see engines much smaller than 10hp.

Mercedes 617 engines from a w123.

I have three of them for sale; comes with a transmission; asking $500. Includes loading into your truck or onto your trailer. I could probably even sell you the whole car for that......minus some parts; not a driveable car, you understand?

quote:

Originally posted by sinbad:
The extra cost of making a diesel means that you don't see engines much smaller than 10hp.

Really?

That's odd because I have a 2.75 HP, 1x 4.50 hp and 2x 6hp Diesels.

On This Page you will see this manufacturer does a range of engines under 5 HP, the smallest being just over 2HP.
That's smaller than any 4 stroke standard industrial type ( not counting weed wacker) petrol engine I have seen.

How much not much smaller than 10 Hp were you thinking you don't see?

thanks again, I checked out those engines and I think I may try and track one down under 200...(craigslist maybe?)
appreciate the help guys.
-Ian

quote:

That's odd because I have a 2.75 HP, 1x 4.50 hp and 2x 6hp Diesels.

DCS I stand corrected, where did you buy your small diesels?

Ironic -- This links to a current discussion about putting a diesel engine in a Jeep, Page 5 discusses using a current model 1.9 L VW engine.

Has anyone got a link to a small water cooled diesel, SMALL, not a big unit like any of the Chinese diesel generators. I have half a dozen 6.5 HP air cooled Lamberdini's ,way too big. I would like to make up a small diesel powered water heating and electricity generating pony unit to mount on the truck, 1-2 HP is more than enough.