Defender 110 with 300Tdi/R380

[GlobalMonkey]

I have a couple of questions. Can I run a 300Tdi on biodiesel? 100% biodiesel, or 80/20? Do I need to modify the engine?
What should I expect for a gas mileage?
thanx, Tomas

[stevenmd]

Admittedly, I am not an expert on this but I do believe you need to make sure your fuel lines are top notch as (from what I learned in my search) the WVO/biodiesel can cause them to leak or rupture. Plus you will need to explore options to heat the WVO/biodiesel prior to pumping it to the engine.

[frans]

Try this. They specialize in mercedes, but the concept is the same for any conversion

www.mercedessource.com

[ShearPin]

There was a 300tdi at a recent national rally running b100 (100 % bio). The company that built it was http://www.roverhybrids.com/ . The website contains some info on the build.

I am no expert but I've read a number of Euro engine manufacturers do not suggest percentages higher then B20 without engine mods.

Henry
www.4x4freedom.com

[GlobalMonkey]

Thank you all for great tips, I will check the websites, Tomas

[RETROFIT]

First, hi everybody, this is my first post !

Second, you have to know that there is a difference between Biodiesel and WVO.

Biodiesel has the same property as diesel has in viscosity and some additives are usually added. It is usually sold at the pump as B20, B50 or B100, the number being the percentage of Biodiesel added to standard diesel.

WVO on the other hand is just vegetable oil, unprocessed and just filtered. To have it at the same viscosity as diesel it needs to be heated. Therefore adding a heater in the WVO reservoir, and you will still need some diesel usually to get everything going.

Regarding fuel lines, vegetable based oils are very tough on fuel lines and unless your line haven't been up graded to vegetable oil friendly ones I would stay away as a rebuilding of an injection pump could be heading you way fast as fuel lines deteriorate an get in to the pump. You would not see this happening as the degrade from the interior.

There are good wright ups everywhere on the net that are not type specific and can direct you as to how to get you truck to run Biodiesel and WVO.

On my own 200Tdi I have replaced all the lines with Biodiesel friendly ones but I don't intend to run WVO as this make no sense for my expedition rig. But the truck also being a daily driver I will run the whole range of Biodiesel.

My 02 cents

Pat
www.quebecroverimports.com

[GlobalMonkey]

Thanks Pat, I am learning day by day, great info! Tomas

[frans]

Not to get even more technical but....

Rotary fuel injection pumps have extremely close tolerances and are really not suited for pumping veggi oil.

The inline bosch fuel injection pumps are more robust and can handle it.

I see alot of V.W. Jettas come into the shop for a new pump. Regularly.

Go into the whole process very carefully, with your mind and eyes wide open.

The information you get will vary widely according to who you talk to, and the 'kits' for doing this vary even more.

Talk to as many different people as you can who have done veggi oil conversions. Not just on-line, but in person. This is so you can see with your own eyes what is required.
We have straightened out countless total messes. Wires and clamps and filters that look like they were set up by ADD syndrome stricken children with an incomplete home wiring kit bought from Wal-mart.

I have been to alternative fuel expos, where the salespeople swear that their kit is the best and actually works. But on closer inspection reveal a new injection pump, or very few miles.
But they are great with the stories of how mr. or mrs. 'x' has gotten 200 plus thousand miles with their conversion kit.

Here are a few questions you should ask:

Can I afford a new engine and/or a new injection pump should the conversion end up messing everything up?

What vehicle and engine is best suited for this?
Who is doing conversions professionally? What is their reputation?
How is the conversion set up? Heaters in the tank? on the inlet side of the fuel line? Installed within the fuel pump itself? What is the best and most functional way to do it.
Am I in a warm area, or a true 4 season environment?
What type of pre and main filters used?

And, most importantly, where are you going to get your veggi oil? How will you process it, and where will you store and process it?

How is the vehicle prepped for the oil? (1 tank, 2 tanks, small portable tank in the trunk, etc etc).
How will you deal with the veggi oil growing algae?
Just to name a few




Bio-diesel is a whole 'nother animal.
Aside from installing new fuel lines, not much to do really. Just make sure you understand the differences betwix the different types, and what one will work for your engine. You will pay more for the privilege of burning it.

Finally, the fact is that yes, diesel engines where originally designed to run on peanut oil, but that was long ago and engines have changed.

Hope this helps.

[JackW]

I had to swap out the return lines between the injectors in order to run B100. Viton tubing is needed to resist the solvent in the biodiesel - I got mine from Mcmaster Carr. It's pretty small - somewhere in the 3mm - 4mm range and the return lines are about 4" - 5" long each so you only need two feet of it.

The biodiesel will wrinkle up your fender flare below the filler spout too.

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

An excellent resource is dieselcruiser here on the board. Andre is the most comprehensive resource I know pertaining to Bio/wvo both.