Hello all. I have been a member of this forum for about a year and a half. I have been interested in WVO - SVO since acquiring my 81 MB 300sd car for the purpose of conversion. The car developed mechanical problems and I ran out of money. Recent increases in gas prices spurred me to look at the issue again. I'm still short on money though. You can also learn more about me on the first post of this thread: http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/159605551/m/7551012482

I've been searching this forum for answers to my blending questions for way too many hours with little success. So, I thought I'd post a topic of my own. I just need some advice on the particular blend I'm considering. I've noticed a number of John Galt's comments, and would be interested in his opinion, but also others who have similar cars in similar climates.

I have the aforementioned car, which, as far as I know, has a mechanical indirect injection system. Assume I filter my wvo to 5 microns and dewater to .05 percent or 500 PPM. John Galt has said in other threads that it's important to preheat the fuel system to room temperature (does that mean 72 deg F?). So assume that I do that either with electric preheaters or by running on diesel for a while before switching to my blend. Note that I am talking about minimal onboard mobile heating, not a full heated two tank system, in which case, I wouldn't need to blend. I'm considering blending to reduce the cost of the system.

I'm in North GA, which means the following for the climate:

HIGHS:

Summer - usually - 80's or less
Summer - sometimes - 90's
Summer - rarely - 100's
Summer - humidity - routinely 70% - 100%

LOWS:

Winter - usually - 30's or higher
Winter - sometimes - 20's
Winter - rarely - teens

I'm assuming that kerosene can be used to get the mixture to as thin or thinner viscosity than diesel. The MB manual also mentions mixing with kerosene, if I'm not mistaken. I don't really like the idea of mixing gasoline, although I know a number of people use it.

I need to know which mixture of WVO and kerosene will provide a viscosity similar to diesel at various temperatures, if temperature changes things. As a starting point, I'm thinking:

Summer: 70-80% WVO, 30-20% kerosene
Winter: 50-60% WVO, 50-40% kerosene

I'd like to know what you guys think of this. Has anyone had experience with a similar car and climate for a long period of time. I want to have reasonable certainty that I'm not hurting the engine and fuel system over the long term. I also need to know if there is a certain low temperature point that I should switch back to all diesel.

Do you recommend additives. You don't have to write a book on that subject, just tell me what, how much, why, and give a reference or two to prove it's worthwhile.

Please stay on the topic of wvo, kerosene mixture with an old MB car in a moderate climate, with some temperature extremes. Nothing against other vehicles or fuels, it just won't help me out. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Ron

I would say the starting points you have suggested would make excellent foundations to work from and you can experiment from there. I think you are pretty close to the mark already with these blends.

I tend to do more than a couple of blends though and after you get to know how your car runs in different temps etc, You can make up blends as you go more by so many liters of kero to so much oil and you'll be able to know what will work intuitively.

I have found the addition of a small amount of RUG (5%) in winter blends helps greatly with starting and also with the gel point/ viscosity.
MB " allow" the use of RUG as a blending agent and in low amounts, there is no way you will have any problem with it especially in the cold months. You may like to try it and see if you think it helps your vehicle.

Although additives seem to be popular with veggers in the states, very few ( never met anyone yet) people run them here.
For a fuel system cleaner, I reckon good old B100 is about as good as you will get but no doubt some Bio diesel in your regular Kero/ WVO blend will work well long term too.

Sounds like you have done your home work well, now time to put it into practice.

Ron

You have a very tolerant auto.
There is really not a straight answer because you do not know the oil combinations in your vo unless it is new off shelf.
Each oil has a unique temperature cloud point and thickening of the oil.
It is unusually warm in this part of the country. Your auto should do better than my truck. I am about to shift to 75% vo and 25% rug (use K1 if you prefer).

quote:

Originally posted by DN:

I am about to shift to 75% vo and 25% rug (use K1 if you prefer).

That is a pretty high ratio of RUG to be using in any temps especially if you have a heated system. I would strongly suggest going to something more like a 20% Kero, 5% RUG blend.
In my experience, anything more than 15% Rug increases the chance of vapor problems and knocks off performance off substantially.
Admittedly my experience is with Mercs but I have come to believe they are abut the most tolerant engines around so if I have problems with a blend, its a good chance that other engines are going to like it a whole lot less!

While I am a proponent of RUG blending, I also have come to believe the less the better and if 15% isn't enough, you better make up the rest of the blend with something else like Kero, Diesel or Bio.