Should I Run My Car on Veggie Oil?
Originally uploaded by mikeysklar
I have been carefully logging every trip we have taken in our veggie oil car for over two years. I also have tracked filter changes and estimated time until payback for our grease car conversion. However, I still cannot answer the most basic question that many people ask me "should I run my car on vegetable oil" ? It all depends. Are you okay with the filth involved in dealing with waste oil? Do you do occasional distance driving (ideal)? Do you have space to work? Can you be your own mechanic? What is more valuable your time, money, or the environment? How expensive is it to replace your injectors if you F* them up? I'll go ahead and share my stats below for others to come to their own conclusion about the financial savings. To sum up my own experience - I have driven 10,000 miles on veggie oil and saved $1,500 in diesel. At this rate my vehicle conversion will not be paid off for nearly seven years.
2 comments:
i too have been thinking of the MB300td for a wvo vehicle. SoCal seems to be a good place to find one but mileage is a concern ie... brakes rotors bearings...etc.
on another note. is papercrete good for flooring? also have you thought of hydronic floor heating?
Brad,
You called it. The primary issue with my vehicle has been it's age. While the WVO system has been stable the rest of the vehicle has cost me thousands of dollars mostly on brakes, bearing, A/C, tires, and calipers.
Keep in mind that WVO has a very high attrition rate. Many people repair a older vehicle, convert it and quickly give up on WVO for one reason or the other. Lot's of ready to go diesels in reasonable shape on ebay.
I've heard of people using papercrete for flooring. I would use more sand and cement than usual to make it stiffer and less prone to rotting. Also make sure there is a good drainage surface beneath it.
I've considered hydronic floor heating, but it is excessive for the climate we are in and would not be a good combination with a papercrete floor above it.
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