Running my Vauxhall Astra on veg oil

worried_jim

My car is running so sweet in this hot weather, absolutely flying at the moment.I am going to pick up another 40 litres of wvo tomorrow and run it through some brand new filters I got for £3.50 off fleabay. Fed up of washing the used one its just too messy and at £1.20 a filter I can afford it with the savings made. Not to sure about the mpg at the moment as I can't remember how much I put in but next fill I will brim it .

Rolandtheroadie

Now got a 1.9 dti Megan (bosch pump) running on it. Bit more random mixes, but going fine.
Our big CRD is back now and I filled it up today from around 1/4 tank. Nearly £60, it broke my heart lol.
Off to the south coast tomorrow on bought diesel, 470 miles there, running around and then 470 back home again. Soul destroying.
I've washed my filters a couple of times in the machine, makes a terrible mess. And not just the oil. Last time, the wife put fairy into it to try and clean it on an empty wash. suds everywhere.
The bucket filters are easier washed but only avaliable down to 75 microns.

worried_jim

Just put 10 litres on dino in then brimmed with wvo, my first ever tank to the brim ! So this will be my mpg test. Had my neighbour in the garage whilst I was doing it, he can't believe it and is now online researching what car to get next so he can do the same. He was all but this , but that, and I just told him the truth and he was speechless. Happy motoring !

worried_jim

tesco are doing redex for £1.80 (half price) so I've treated the old girl to a bottle as I am feeling guilty about the homebrew I am putting through the injectors.

housesitter

Had a similar problem with teh clutch adjuster in the astra one time when the threads on the retaining nut let go and the cable no longer worky. Driving without a clutch is easy enough, but traffic lights are a nightmare.

Still think you're a chicken Jim for not running 100% yet! :P

I got 46mpg from the last tank, but then I've just turned the boost up from 12psi to 20psi and the fueling too. Have been driving it faster than normal.
A treat to myself for passing the recent MOT.

It makes a huge difference to acceleration and over taking. Did the mod to the boost compensator too so it'll bring on the boost a little faster making it more driveable.
If I don't drive it like I stole it it'll actually bring better MPG.
Less flogging it to get up to speed, plus more air means more of the fuel is being burnt rather than exiting as black (white in the case of veg!) smoke out the back of it.

Before that I was seeing between 50-55MPG. I can live with 4 MPG

worried_jim

housesitter wrote: »

Still think you're a chicken Jim for not running 100% yet! :P

I got 46mpg from the last tank, but then I've just turned the boost up from 12psi to 20psi and the fueling too. Have been driving it faster than normal.

If I don't drive it like I stole it it'll actually bring better MPG.

If I don't drive it like I stole it it'll actually bring better MPG.-pmsl !!!:rotfl: How did you change the boost? My turbo is pretty lame and for a while I thought it didn't work until I spoke with another owner who said theirs was just as bad. Funny you should mention the 100% because-

I have been running on wvo and 10% dino all summer with no problems and the astra runs really well but I have been struck with a sudden panic attack. Whilst pottering around t'intenet yesterday I came across -

http://www.doctordiesel.co.uk/

and whilst looking at the pictures of different fuel pumps my attention was grabbed by -
Delphi Lucas/CAV, DPC Radial Plunger Pump



Now before I started using wvo I had a good look at my pump-



And on any plastic moulding piece it is stamped "bosch" in various places although I can see nothing written on the metal its self.

Now was caused my concern is my pump has this Radial Plunger Pump on it as well and I can not see this on any pictures of any bosch pumps and I have this sudden fear that I am running a lucas pump and run the very serious risk of killing the car.

Any advice greatly apprecaited.

mikey72

Post some more pictures, top, pulley end, and outlet pipes, or look at http://wiki.obed.org.uk/index.php?title=Bosch_VE

worried_jim

Panic over I have a Bosch axial plunger pump.

housesitter

It doesn't look like my pump, but then I have the isuzu engine.
Adding boost via a manual boost controller (ebay cheap, but I had a spare electronic one) then turn up hte max fuel screw till it's just before smoking. Turn down the hot idle and then mes around with the boost fuel compensator.
It's well documented on Vaux forums, search for "white ring mod" on google.

I'm now on with changing the intake to a filter so it's not running over the engine and also adding a bit more fuel cos it's not quite smoking and feels like it's thirsty for it.
Good thing is that MPG hasn't gone down, if not increased. Not labouring to get up to speed using small amount of fuel for longer time. Just a sharp intake and quick acceleration.
Of course if one lives in boost it would be pretty bad

worried_jim

Got it running on 100% wvo. Takes a moment longer to start it as it cranks over a couple of times but that is the only noticeable difference. Once I am away its fine and loving it. Got a veggie trip planned for the end of the month and will be doing it all for free- can't wait.