I live in northeast tenn, southwest va. we have run out of fuel (gas and diesel) because of the hurricane. regular gas is about $4.00 a gallon. Can i run pure vegetable oil in my 97 power stroke or do i need to mix it 50/50 with what little diesel is still available in my area. Any input will be very helpful since we do not have any fuel and it will probably be 3 to 5 days before we get any fuel back to our area.

 

I can't say for sure but I don't think you can run straight veggy without methanol.Good luck down there.

 

Check on the web for last weekend's Truck program, Tracy did a deal on brewing your own diesel

Again, good luck with the mess down there


jrb

 

I have done alot of reading and research on converting vegetable oil into useable fuel oil and personally I wouldn't put straight VO in my truck! VO contains glycerin. Glycerin is a humectant, not to mention it can get real gummy. What's that mean? A humectant attracts moisture, that's why glycerin is used in skin products. But I think even more important is the gumming up of everything from you fuel intake tube to the injection nozzles would really suck!


http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_mike.html

has some great info on making your own. It's not too difficult and you can get the oil for free from restaurants in the area! Ingredients are basic, methanol, lye and oil.

 

do yourself a favor... ride your bicycle... if you don't have one, get one... don't put that stuff in your nice clean mule... you'll just ruin it... then... when we all get through this, and we will, you still won't have a truck... just hang in there as best as you can and don't do anything stupid with your truck, you'll need it when you get fuel again... good luck man, hang in there... and God bless..!

 

not a consolation right now though,
perhaps ups has rush delivery....

 

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So here comes the voice of disention. In the Alt Fuel forms there is good discussion of this topic.

One owner has 20,000 + miles and going on straight Waste Vegatable Oil. Maybe after it has been cooked the moisture is boiled out. I don't know. But I have a '96 F350 and I am getting ready to convert. At $2.80 a gallon for Petro I am going to spend $5000 this year on fuel if I do not convert.

If I only get 2 years ($10,000 in petro) out of my motor and replace it for $7000 then I am still ahead $3000.

There are a lot of sites(companies) selling kits to run WVO in a diesel engine and they have been around for a while.

It's time for a change and it might as well start with me.

 

but barnicle, of your truck siezes in 500 miles then you're behind ten grand, seems worth it to get the equipment to make biodiesel, it's about 800 bucks and you make diesel for 70 cents a gallon, you'll be ahead in four months. Plus even when it comes back down (if it ever does) you'll still be saving.

 

From what all I've read, I doubt that you'd sieze a truck with VO. I think that from what I read 20% VO (not waste) should be fine. Gumming things up and or defeating seals could be another issue though. Of course for gumming injectors, thats solved everytime I change the fuel filter I fill it with a Cetane booster and clean em out....

I do agree that biodiesel production would be a much better bet though. I'm really thinking its time to buy the kit to use a water heater and start her up soon.

Jeff

 

yeah, the only thing anybody has told me that you need to do to your truck for biodiesel is put a warmer on your fuel tank, so that the biosiesel won't congeal. Not sure if he right or not, but it's all I've heard so far.

 

You don't need a heated tank for bio only if you're running WVO.

 

Anyone interested in making biodiesel, 100% WVO, or #2/WVO blend go to this excellent thread. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=244801