Running my Vauxhall Astra on veg oil

worried_jim

Sounds like an air blockage and now its cleared you should be fine. A good tip is to get a jam jar of your mix so you can see what the ambient temp effect on the fuel is, I suspect if you have pre mixed you will be ok as long as it above freezing.

Rolandtheroadie

Been starting and running no problems. It was really cold this morning but fired up first turn. Then it cut out, starts and runs fine after that. I was a bit worried the veg had all thickened with the cold to the extent that it wouldnt start.
It may all be in my head, but it seems to run smoother? Definately smells better.

worried_jim

Once I am up to temp it defintley runs better, no doubt. My Astra flys after about 5 mins, and I have never noticed any bad odours . Did you premix before adding to the tank?

Rolandtheroadie

Nah, just stood outside pouring it in through the cap one bottle at a time lol. The exhaust fumes now have the vegetable oil smell.
My problem now is getting some useable waste oil filtered.
I've a clear bucket with 80 litres in it. Oils at 3 degrees and wont seperate. I've bought a 50 litre plastic toybox that i'm going to set up on breeze blocks and a wooden sheet with an electric blanket between the wood and the container.
Put it on low and see how it goes. After working out how much an electric blanket on low will cost to run for a day or 2.

worried_jim

Had a look at my oil supply in the garage yesterday now that it has started to warm up a bit, but it is still as solid as butter so no free fuel for a while yet. I last filled up with dino 12/02/10 and I still have a third of a tank left, I was hoping to get to 12/04 but I will need to fill up on last day on month to avoid 3p a litre tax rise. Hopefully that tank will get me to the warm weather a free fuel !

molerat

Have you not tried any supermarket veg oil ? Chuck a couple of bottles in to tide you over.

Rolandtheroadie

Went 50/50 on my second fill of the Corsa using supermarket oil (averaging 98p per litre of fuel). Still running fine (towed our Grand Voyager with it yesterday).
I think once its been exposed to low temperatures, it takes a long time.
I had a 20 litre container that looked like a slush puppy (In total I've around 120 litres like this). I took it to my work and put it in what we call a drying room. Temp in theres probably around 25 degrees centigrade (approx 80 degreees f).
It went back to liquid form and has been in the boot of my car since and is still liquid (after 5 days).
I now have to get the rest out of my 2 settling devices (80 litre bucket and 40 litre container) and get the temperature up a bit.
I dont think it needs to be as hot as 80, but hotter than it is sitting in the garage.

Rolandtheroadie

Just checked my 40 litre container (its up the loft in the garage). Thats starting to go to liquid and seperating.
The only difference is what they're sitting on. The 40 litres on wood, other ones on breeze blocks.
If it's still in the 20 litre containers, perhaps put cardboard or a dust sheet under them.

worried_jim

I am still a bit hesitant about banging it in when its still cold, but I might have a look at new oil in Tesco at the weekend and if it less then a quid a litre I might mix a bit in.
I have mine on a concrete floor and of course that will absorb any heat from the liquid so I may raise it up- a good tip.
Glad yours is still going well.

Rolandtheroadie

Most supermarkets do 3 litres for around £2.55 but a neighbour said the cash and carry does it £15 for 20 litres.
Asda's doing 15 litres for £12.17.
It's still better than paying full price for diesel lol.

My plan for this week is to do a test batch of bio using new oil. Got caustic soda today try and get some methanol tomorrow.
Hoping to make bio for the voyager.