A buddy found a source for SVO (corn/soy blend) for $12 a 16 liter (4-1/4 gallon) cubie - that works out to about $2.80 a gallon.

I'm thinking of buying some and blending it with diesel over this summer. I figure one cubie per 20 gallon tank - basically 20% SVO and 80% diesel. With summertime temps, anybody think there would be any problems with this mix? Any danger of long term damage running 20% SVO?

 

You may find this report useful:

http://www.victoria.ca/cityhall/pdfs...ttvs_vibes.pdf

 

Interesting, yes. But unfortunately not on point with the topic, which is directly blending 20% vegetable oil (not biodiesel) with regluar diesel.

Good info nonetheless, thanks.

 

Before you put it in your truck, do a test.

Mix a gallon of diesel with a gallon of SVO, mix it up good.

When you look at it the next day, what do you see?

My guess is the SVO and diesel will seperate.
And I do believe you will need to do all the tank heaters and such to run straight VO.

 

Yeah, before running it I plan on doing an even more extensive test than that. I plan on mixing up four 1-quart jars. Two at 20% SVO and two at 40% SVO. I'm going to add DieselKleen at the 1:400 ratio to one each of the 20% and 40% blends.

Then I'm going to leave all 4 out on the back porch overnight for a couple of nights to see if there is any significant difference between the blends with and without DieselKleen. Then I plan on storing them in the fridge for a couple of days and see what kind of difference THAT makes.

BTW, I may or may not run some in my F250 - I mainly plan on running it in my DD Mercedes...

 

Read up on all the heater mods to run WVO.
Then install all the heaters, you can leave the filters off and just run 100% SVO.

I can't remember what happens when you run WVO that is not heated to about 170 degrees, but you will have the same issues with SVO.

Right now I am just brain dead, I can't even remember what part of the VO causes the problems, I just remember there is an issue other that filter plugging when running unheated VO.

And I think trying to mix VO with diesel is not the right way to go, I don't think they mix.
More like they go into suspension, which means they will seperate again.

 

I'm working on a system and soliciting feedback on my ideas.

Coking of the rings and heads. These issues are mainly due to the higher viscocity of VO which results in poor atomization and incomplete combustion if it isn't heated to lower its viscocity. Those problems are pretty much eliminated if you don't blend too much VO and avoid raising the viscocity above what the viscocity of diesel that is chilled to around 20*.

It is the glycerin - because it isn't a hydocarbon and is very susceptable to gelling at much higher temps than diesel

Actually they mix pretty well - the question is whether they will stay mixed, and according to many people they will for quite a long time - especially when in a vehicle tank getting sloshed around and agitated as you drive. That is why I am doing my "separation tests" as decribed above...

 

All I can say is good luck.

 

Nah, if you're good enough you don't need luck

 

I've run 100% svo in my 87 f250 for the past 25000 mi, but I have invested $2k in all the necessary heating, filter and switching components to make it work.
There is a lot of info on blending diesel and svo on the forums at www.biodiesel.infopop.cc or at www.frybird.com.
Mike

 

Where can You buy SVO?

 

I mix WVO with 25% Kerosene and have been for a while. No problems so far. Experimented with biodiesel and Straight oil and other stuff, bio was too many problems to make, I started mixing the oil with diesel then kerosene and it runs great, starts up in the morning and everything, and it will start in the winter if you plug it in.

 

That might work in Alabama in the winter, but it won't in West Virginia.

Some guys have trouble getting their engines started on dino diesel here in the winter.

 

I was channel surfing the other day and saw a show that was going through step by step to making your own bio-fuel...I think it was Trucks but I'm not sure...Might prove to be helpful if you can dig it up.

-Dave

 

It was extreme 4x4, you can see back episodes @ PowerBlock.com. You're right any info/research is worthwhile but they are mainly trying to SELL you something so I take it with a grain of salt.
I'm sure it works but you have to have equipment to "make" biodiesel. I'll bet it's AT LEAST 2-2500K for their system.