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There are several problems with modern motors and Veg oil fuels, firstly no garages sell veg oil fuel, they sell Bio - diesel, this is a catalysed veg oil converted to a Methyl Ester. this burns better and runs thinner.

The major problem with Bio diesel is it thickens as it returns from the pump, this leads to a fatty deposit in fuel lines and blocking of the injectors. The problems are more complicated as you can imagine ,but this gives a potted hisytory. for long term usage of bio, us a methyl ester, and a product to break down the long chain molicules (stop the thickening).

www.cetox.com

Quote: Originally posted by lancsguy on 29/5/2006

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I had a van pull up into my work last month and when he opened the back of it it was full of vegetable oil drums, I asked him what they were for and he said it was to run his van, I laughed and said no chance but he switched it on and after 10 seconds it turned over perfectley - the only problem was the smell, I kid you not it was like a chippy !

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Hello lancsguy,

This has nothing to do with veg oil (though I wouldn't mind some if it works)

Just noticed you had Accrington in your profile. Thought I'd say hello we are only 5 minutes away in Clayton.

Sue

Hi

our pajero runs on veg oil and has done for the past 12 months,OH got a conversion kit and converted it over from diesel.He pays his duty on it to the revenue lot.We tend to use used oil from a pizza place,or in an emergency just buy it from the local supermarket get some strange looks like when buying 20 bottles of veg oil LOL.

Im also a courier so its a lot cheaper running the car like this,went to one delivery and a builder was in the garden  and said to his mate he could smell home made chips cooking and was feeling hungry LOL.

If you need any more info give us a shout im sure my OH would be willing to answer any questions you have.

Joanne & Mike 

Hi

I use it on my Mitsubishi Pajero. Run 50%+ veg oil as bought from tesco. Runs a treat, no issues as yet

Scott

Quote: Originally posted by and1145 on 29/5/2006

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Quote: Originally posted by misterg on 29/5/2006

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Thanks for all the comments . My first concern is damage to the vehicle then I would work out the cost plus duty.

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Hi, I have a Toyota Hilux Surf 3 ltr, the new shape, which shares the same engine and running gear with the colorado. The vegoil needs thinning down before it can be put through your fuel pump. Most people do this by using a 50/50 mix with diesel or a pre-heater tank. The only damage that can occur is that to the fuel pump (depending on the vehicle and type). The Toyota ones can cope easily with the thicker fluid and run just fine. Personally I have never heard of anyone geting stopped or prosecuted for using veg-oil.

Andy

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Thanks Borobiker.

When the kit is fitted can you only use veg oil or can you still use diesel?

What does the kit do?

Is the kit expensive - and where can you get it?

Can you fit it yourself?

I assume once registered with tax people they cant know how much veg oil is actually used?

I see that Costco sell it but restrict the number sold per person.

Is it very cheap to buy used?

mister g

1)Once the kit is fitted you can use either derv or veg oil

2)The idea of the kits is to preheat the veg oil using the engine coolant,this reduces the viscosity of the veg oil to prevent damage to your injector pump (lucas cav types are more suseptable I am informed)At 80 c (normal temp of most cars) veg oil has the same viscosity as derv.The kit I use is a smartveg twin tank kit. With it you start the car on the derv tank. A sensor in the kit then switches over to veg automatically  once the engine is up to temperature. When stopping you turn the veg off using a switch supplied with the kit which then purges the fuel system of veg to prevent the veg thickening as it cools & damaging the injector  at startup.

3)I think the kit is presently about £550 from smartveg (type it into google, you will get all the info you need on the website

4)Yes you can fit the kit yourself. Smartveg suggest giving yourself 2 days if it is your first fit, I spred it over about a week as I waited for my tax registation to arrive then made to last few break ins

5)You have to record how much veg you use per month & pay the duty on that amount. When you register they ask how much you think you will use per month, but I have never used as much as that yet, however there is no need to record your milage each month - whats the point if you can use derv as well that already has had the duty payed on it

6)The only shop that tried to restrict me was Tesco in Dover when we returned from France last year. They said a max of 12 one type items per person, so I put the next person bar down put the remaining bottles with it & gave Jo £10 (still got all the club points). Tesco locally dont have a problem with 20x3L bottles going through in a trolly - neither do Asda but Tesco's bottles are better & you get club points.

7)Used oil is usually free, restaurants & take aways usually pay someone to remove it for them so  are usually happy for you to take it off them.

Hope this helps you

Mike