Running my Vauxhall Astra on veg oil

worried_jim

If you have done 7000 miles and some of it on veg I would definitely change the fuel filter, at only a tenner could be a quick win. Good luck.

Skeksis

Thanks, i'll try those chaps. I just started it after it had been standing for 4 hours, first turn absolutely nothing, then it just about started on the second turn!

Skeksis

Haven't had chance to check it out yet, but it didn't turn over at all this morning and hasn't when I got back from work.

Rolandtheroadie

Turning over problems probably due to the battery needing a good charge now.
As mentioned, start with the fuel filter. I've had to change mines on my Astra after only 700 miles.
Then I'd be looking at the glow plugs.

Theres guides out there to show how to test them with a electric meter set to ohms (attach to screw thread then touch the main body of plug, reading should be close to 0).

Rolandtheroadie

worried_jim wrote: »

Great mpg improvement over your first batch, how's it comparing to dino?

The cars only seen a tenners worth of diesel on the run home.
It's had a tank of bio, topped up with filtered veg then 2 tanks of bio again.

Latest results 35 MPG, but I've had to change the filter due to running issues that possibly used more fuel.

Rolandtheroadie

Still dodging away with bio but none ready, got 9 litres SVO from Tesco the other day at around 99p a litre and also put £20 worth diesel in it.
Cars developed a couple of faults, 1. overheating and 2. a tick tick ticking from the engine.
The overheating I suspects the radiator silted up (hoses are hard, thermostats working fine, not using water). I'll try flushing it first, failing that, the BIL replaced a holed radiator in his astra van. I'll solder or liquid metal that and fit it to mine.
The tick ticking is a leak from the fuel stop solenoid. Part of a retaining bracket is missing, i'll unscrew and thread lock it first, failing that it's liquid metal again.

Got a metal drum from freecycle, I'm going to start work on a settling/filtering/dewatering system to use WVO through the summer.

worried_jim

The sun is out and it scorching here in Brighton today and I have just put a 50/50 mix into the tank to start the season off gently. Its driving around lovely at the moment and I have loads in the garage ready to go but I have noticed that the wvo is getting harder to come by.

Farzackerly

worried_jim wrote: »

I have noticed that the wvo is getting harder to come by.

Too many people getting aware of it now, and the chippies know it's worth something too. We'll see the chippies charging for their used oil, up to 25p/L, and who can blame them?
Aside from that, strictly speaking, you/me should have a Waste Licence to deal with it; I've always been prepared to argue my ground on that, but it's never come up. If the Environmental agencies want to press the point, in their view the chippy shoudn't be giving it to anyone but a licenced waste carrier, however I believe as a biodiesel maker you can argue it's not actually waste, but a raw material.

worried_jim

Just write to the EA explaining exactly what you do (I.E make bio for private non-profit use) and ask them to clarify their position.
You will get a nice letter back saying that you DON'T need any license to collect WVO- you only need to issue a WTN and keep a copy.
I have laminated my letter and show it to any places which get all stuffy and holier than thou and it works every time.
If you need a waste transfer note, get it here-
http://rapidshare.com/#!download|831tl4|376299457|Waste_transfer_note_1.pdf|29

worried_jim

Currently running 50% dino, 25%wvo, 25%svo- fuel tank cocktail ! Everything feeling good at present and no issues starting, although its not been below 10c recently and just had a little run up the dual carriage way and its was fine.