New to the forum, introduction and some questions! (warning: lots of pictures)

[Iceni John]

I still recall being advised that the WVO wouldn't work in the electronic systems because of the high pressure stuff and I thought that included the DDEC engines.

I've been wondering this same thing myself.   I can understand why a high-pressure common-rail injection system using piezo-controlled injectors that squirt multiple times per "bang" (such as is used in most European diesel cars) may not be happy with WVO or SVO, but wouldn't a DDEC work with any fuel that's OK for a MUI engine?   If the injectors are essentially similar, both using a mechanical pump to actually squirt the fuel, and the DDEC merely replaces the governor and rack etc (as well as provide safety shutdowns), why not run non-diesel fuels in a DDEC Detroit?   I'm wondering what's required to convert from DDEC II to MUI  -  has anyone here actually done this and lived to tell the tale?   For the miniscule distances I drive and ever will drive my bus, I don't care if I lose one MPG and smoke a bit more, and I can take care of looking at the gauges to safeguard the engine.   In these fiscally-challenging (ahem) times, lower repair costs down the road would be worth the conversion if it didn't cost too much.   So, who here runs WVO or SVO in their DDEC II 6V92?

(How much does a gallon of cooking oil cost these days?   Less than $3.19?)
John

[Busted Knuckle]

Captain Ron aka Charely Davidson was running it in his 8V92 DDEC but he ain't been on the boards (at least this one for ages). I don't have a clue as to how it's going for him.
I hadn't personally talked to him in ages, and last time he was in town he didn't let me know he was coming or even here until he was looking for a car wash his bus would fit in, and I was in the middle of a crazy busy weekend.

It'd be nice to hear how it's working out, but I know he and others that stay pretty low key on it just so they don't have to hear all the flak about how what they are doing won't work!
again YMMV
  BK 

[divinerightstrip]

I've been wondering this same thing myself.   I can understand why a high-pressure common-rail injection system using piezo-controlled injectors that squirt multiple times per "bang" (such as is used in most European diesel cars) may not be happy with WVO or SVO, but wouldn't a DDEC work with any fuel that's OK for a MUI engine?   If the injectors are essentially similar, both using a mechanical pump to actually squirt the fuel, and the DDEC merely replaces the governor and rack etc (as well as provide safety shutdowns), why not run non-diesel fuels in a DDEC Detroit?   I'm wondering what's required to convert from DDEC II to MUI  -  has anyone here actually done this and lived to tell the tale?   For the miniscule distances I drive and ever will drive my bus, I don't care if I lose one MPG and smoke a bit more, and I can take care of looking at the gauges to safeguard the engine.   In these fiscally-challenging (ahem) times, lower repair costs down the road would be worth the conversion if it didn't cost too much.   So, who here runs WVO or SVO in their DDEC II 6V92?

(How much does a gallon of cooking oil cost these days?   Less than $3.19?)
John

Shouldn't cost anything, they have to pay to dispose of it. Just time, and some filtration material.

I would think that Bio would make it smoke less, esp. since lowering the allowed amount of sulfur to diesel back in 2007. Sulfur is the primary lubricating agent of diesel fuel, but bio has enough lubricity on its own to not require the aid of an additive. When I need either of my cars to pass emissions (which, now that they are both reg'ed as antiques, they don't have to anymore, but...) I would fill them up with Bio, and the smoke would go away. It makes them run smoother, IMO.

It'd be nice to hear how it's working out, but I know he and others that stay pretty low key on it just so they don't have to hear all the flak about how what they are doing won't work!
again YMMV
  BK 

Yeah, I'd like to know too!
BK - what does YMMV mean?

[divinerightstrip]

Wait just a minute... yes something new about the bus, just not good news (surprise, surprise!) Speaking of the recent rain, I have been discovering more and more leaks in the bus. First nice, clear day I plan on power washing the roof of the bus, and resealing the seams. Any advice on how to go about this/what materials to use/ etc? Then I'd like to paint the roof at some point as well.



I have noticed some leaks along the seams where the sealant has started to deteriorate. There are a few all along the ridge between the roof and the side of the bus where I removed the storage units. I have a feeling that I will find the same thing once I remove the storage units on the other side. Also, the driver's side window and the crosspiece between the 4 pieces of windshield glass.













-A

[Busted Knuckle]

YMMV  = Your Milage May Vary  
 BK  

[Chopper Scott]

I painted the top of my enclosed trailer with a paint that I got from the hardware store that has insulating qualities. It is a rough textured paint and can be applied with a roller. I'm thinking it was called Kool Seal or something of that nature. I'll look at the can when I go back to work. As far as repairing seams I would use seam sealer from an automotive store. 3M makes some pretty good stuff that body shops use for sealing panels. The paint has somewhat of an r factor and reflects a lot of heat. It also sealed up some leaks my trailer had. Good luck....

[JohnEd]

"Auto Seam Sealer" by 3M.  Dries with just enuf elasticity and is paintable.

Kool seal does what the mfr says so there is truth in advertising.  Lots of discussioin on this stuff.   used it for years.  You need to scrub it with Tide and bleach to remove the mildew and kill it.  The dirt also needs to be removed.  You need to repaint every 2 or 3 years.  It bleeds and runs white lines down the side of the coach.  There are a few variants and mfrs of this stuff and all are close.  Paint your roof on gte outside with high grfade auto paint in "bright/pure White."  Cleans easy and NEVER needs repainted.  EMRON was designed for airplanes and will defeat ultra violet at 35,000 feet....get the pic?  Search KOOL SEAL and ROOF PAINT etc.

Paint it yourself.....roof and sides!!!!!

John

[Dreamscape]

I used an elasotomeric white roof product from Lowes or Home Depot 6 years ago while living in So Cal. It does not run or leave a chalky residue and helps to keep the interior much cooler. It is made by Henry. Slap it on with a heavy nap roller, I did 4 coats and didn't even use the whole 5 gal bucket. It does need to be freshened up, but otherwise it has worked very well. I sealed the seams with a paintable latex caulk and have never had a leak.

Paul

[wal1809]

I used an elasotomeric white roof product from Lowes or Home Depot 6 years ago while living in So Cal. It does not run or leave a chalky residue and helps to keep the interior much cooler. It is made by Henry. Slap it on with a heavy nap roller, I did 4 coats and didn't even use the whole 5 gal bucket. It does need to be freshened up, but otherwise it has worked very well. I sealed the seams with a paintable latex caulk and have never had a leak.

Paul

I used Henry's this last weekend.

[wal1809]

Captain Ron aka Charely Davidson was running it in his 8V92 DDEC but he ain't been on the boards (at least this one for ages). I don't have a clue as to how it's going for him.
I hadn't personally talked to him in ages, and last time he was in town he didn't let me know he was coming or even here until he was looking for a car wash his bus would fit in, and I was in the middle of a crazy busy weekend.

It'd be nice to hear how it's working out, but I know he and others that stay pretty low key on it just so they don't have to hear all the flak about how what they are doing won't work!
again YMMV
  BK 

I talked to him the other day on the telephone and he is up to 30,000 on WVO and nary a problem yet.  I am just shy of the 10,000 gallon threshold with bio 100 diesel.  I run it in 2 TDIs, an Excursion, tractor and a Kabota zero turn lawn mower for three years and nary a problem.  I am a firm believer problems can occur when using an alternative fuels.  I am also a firm believer it is not the fuel that is the problem it is lack of quality control per individual.  If you have high fuel standards and conduct the tests for every batch you will win the game.  If you don't do your research and make a poor quality batch then you will suffer the cost.

[JohnEd]

I spoke with Charley a while back and he was rebuilding his engine.  I think it was Charley but I am sure it was a Knut.  I was asking if he was still running WVO and how things were working out.  I held my breath when he said my engine is out for a "complete overhaul".  I have heard a lot of guys say they are down after only 20.000 miles and only a few have badmouthed the SVO but that group didn't give it a ringing endorsement  either.  Now there is Charley.  He said that his engine was due for an overhaul when he first started using WVO.  He also said that there was no deposit in the engine that discouraged him in the least and that the newly overhauled engine would also run on WVO.

This morning I spoke with the owner of Enviro Fuels here in Orygun.  He says he can install WVO on a Common Rail and it will have no problems.  Starts and stops on DinoD and the veg is heated up really hot, above 180, and filtered and dewatered.  You can achieve their level of purity by letting it sit and settle WARM for a few weeks.  He says he has an armfull of natives that are running a conversion and would be happy to talk to almost anyone that isn't Govy.

You want weird?  There is a group on Yahoo that is called "Blenders".  They mix WVO or WMO or old hydraulic fluid with GASOLINE and make fuel that doesn't need heated.  In the summer the use 25% Gas and in the winter they use 50%.  There are a lot of them and some are claiming 10 or 20 or 30 thousand miles.  Scary!

I wish we had a sticky where those that are doing this can share.  I expect to brew Bio and I hope to have a D truck by then.

John

[kyle4501]

. . . I am just shy of the 10,000 gallon threshold with bio 100 diesel.  I run it in 2 TDIs, an Excursion, tractor and a Kabota zero turn lawn mower for three years and nary a problem.  I am a firm believer problems can occur when using an alternative fuels.  I am also a firm believer it is not the fuel that is the problem it is lack of quality control per individual.  If you have high fuel standards and conduct the tests for every batch you will win the game.  If you don't do your research and make a poor quality batch then you will suffer the cost.

You are one of the few that are actively treating this as seriously as it should be. Far too many gloss over the importance of fuel quality & the different use procedures.

It is the false hype (used to lead people into something they can't sustain) that I dislike. For some, this alternative fuel is a viable endeavor. For others, it will cost more than it could ever be worth - it all depends on your abilities, resources, & your situation (or lifestyle for lack of a better term).

I wish loads of success to all who wish to persue alternative fuels.

[wal1809]

I spoke with Charley a while back and he was rebuilding his engine.  I think it was Charley but I am sure it was a Knut.  I was asking if he was still running WVO and how things were working out.  I held my breath when he said my engine is out for a "complete overhaul".  I have heard a lot of guys say they are down after only 20.000 miles and only a few have badmouthed the SVO but that group didn't give it a ringing endorsement  either.  Now there is Charley.  He said that his engine was due for an overhaul when he first started using WVO.  He also said that there was no deposit in the engine that discouraged him in the least and that the newly overhauled engine would also run on WVO.

This morning I spoke with the owner of Enviro Fuels here in Orygun.  He says he can install WVO on a Common Rail and it will have no problems.  Starts and stops on DinoD and the veg is heated up really hot, above 180, and filtered and dewatered.  You can achieve their level of purity by letting it sit and settle WARM for a few weeks.  He says he has an armfull of natives that are running a conversion and would be happy to talk to almost anyone that isn't Govy.

You want weird?  There is a group on Yahoo that is called "Blenders".  They mix WVO or WMO or old hydraulic fluid with GASOLINE and make fuel that doesn't need heated.  In the summer the use 25% Gas and in the winter they use 50%.  There are a lot of them and some are claiming 10 or 20 or 30 thousand miles.  Scary!

I wish we had a sticky where those that are doing this can share.  I expect to brew Bio and I hope to have a D truck by then.

John

Yes Sir I got a bud that has run 70% WVO and 30%gasoline for 10 years.  He tells me I am crazy to brew BD100 or set up a wvo tank.  He pumps from his collection barrel into a tank in the bed of his truck through a filter until the tank is at the 70% mark.  He then goes to the gas station and fills the rest of the way.  After he drives for a while to mix it up he pumps through a filter into his truck tank.  He still laughs at me for making fuel.  It is not for me.

[divinerightstrip]

I am a firm believer problems can occur when using an alternative fuels.  I am also a firm believer it is not the fuel that is the problem it is lack of quality control per individual.  If you have high fuel standards and conduct the tests for every batch you will win the game.  If you don't do your research and make a poor quality batch then you will suffer the cost.

I couldn't agree more. I have seen this problem all too often, and even in myself in my beginning stages of learning and designing the system.

This morning I spoke with the owner of Enviro Fuels here in Orygun.  He says he can install WVO on a Common Rail and it will have no problems.  Starts and stops on DinoD and the veg is heated up really hot, above 180, and filtered and dewatered.  You can achieve their level of purity by letting it sit and settle WARM for a few weeks.  He says he has an armfull of natives that are running a conversion and would be happy to talk to almost anyone that isn't Govy.

John, are you referring to Nate from EnvioFuel?

I wish we had a sticky where those that are doing this can share.  I expect to brew Bio and I hope to have a D truck by then.

Yeah! Let's start one!

[Sean]

... Sulfur is the primary lubricating agent of diesel fuel, ...

If you will be making your own fuel, you ought to be aware that sulfur is not a lubricant and has never been the "primary lubricating agent of diesel fuel."  In fact, sulfur is terrible for diesels all around, because it forms sulfuric acid in the combustion process, and sulfuric acid eats engines.  It also forms harmful POCs in the exhaust.

What is true, however, is that the process used to remove the sulfur from the fuel also removes aromatic hydrocarbons.  It is these aromatic hydrocarbons that are responsible for lubricity, and the lubricity lost during the removal process must be added back later, before the diesel is sold as motor fuel (and it is, indeed, added back before any fuel reaches a retail dispenser).

We've discussed this issue many times on the board, not under the heading of alternative fuels, but instead in some rather heated discussions about the possible deleterious effects of ULSD when that fuel became mandatory.

Also:

Shouldn't cost anything, they have to pay to dispose of it. Just time, and some filtration material.

True right at this moment.  Also possibly true for the remaining lifetime of some of us on this board  

However, I can state without equivocating that WVO will not always be free for you.  It is already the case in some very progressive parts of the country that local bio-fuel production has put severe downward pressure on the price waste oil companies can demand for removal service, and in some places, they have even had to start locking the receptacles to prevent theft.  I would expect the equation to reverse itself completely within the next decade or so, as the ever-increasing price of fossil fuels begins to make it viable for WVO companies to process the oil into motor fuel on a commercial scale, instead of feed and other low-value products.

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com