I had an article in the local paper about using recycled oil from restaurants as fuel for diesel vehicles. I know this has been discussed prior but anyone-w-a good "quick & dirty" explaination would be greatly appreciated.

 

I have been reading up on this too. The basics are:

Cooking oil (left over grease from McDonalds) does work in diesel engines.

The conversion kits I've seen, heat the oil before it goes into the injectors. Diesel is used to start and warm the engine, it is switched over to oil, then switched back to deisel to clean things out before stopping.

This may work well for a commuter, but would not work well for me because I stop and start 8-12 times/day.

From what I have seen, the conversion kits are used mostly on older cars without a turbo. I don't know if it has anything to do with the turbo specifically, but more to do with the modern computer controlled injections, etc. that may be confused by the cooking oil.

I would like to buy an old VW or Mercedes and try this out for fun before doing anything to a newer vehicle.

I just don't think it is practical right now. It will be much more practical when diesel goes up to $3-4/gal.

For what its worth, thats my 2 cents.

 

I talked to the people who are marketing this thing, costs about 900 for the Dodge kit, they say it works great. You have to screen all of the oil, instal an "oil" tank some place and run the lines. Do a search for "greasecar" and you will find it, they are in Mass. Neat idea, but sounds like kind of a pain in the a**.

 

Don't think i'd even try it with a $10k motor. But i'v dumped all kinds oils (filterd first) into my jetta. I even put 5 gals of used delo in to the tank at one time.