Thu 2 Feb 2006 22:55 rape seed oil rather than diesel - sniggih

I am considering runnng a 1.9d clio with vegetable oil. It is a 1994 model that i picked up for £50. Any tips would be helpful. Thanks Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Thu 2 Feb 2006 23:17 rape seed oil rather than diesel - andymc {P}

If it's vegetable oil and not biodiesel, you will ideally need to install a fuel preheater and/or a separate tank for starting and shutting down the engine on diesel. Veggie oil usually becomes too viscous in cold weather to use without this sort of intervention. However, you could experiment with mixing in some diesel in at anywhere between 20%-50% to keep it thin enough. Hope the fuel pump is in good nick, as running on pure veggie oil will put it under more strain (hence thinning with diesel). Also, running on vegetable oil is illegal unless you declare and pay road fuel duty - plenty of paperwork involved in that. Whether you do so or not is ultimately your decision, but that's the legal position. The car's exhaust will probably smell like a barbecue (seriously). All the above suggestions only to be acted on at your own risk, but best of luck, let us know how you get on, and have fun! -- andymc Vroom, vroom - mmm, doughnuts ... Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Thu 2 Feb 2006 23:27 rape seed oil rather than diesel - Navara Van man

why not try cuting it with disel as oposed to trying to use veg oil alone. with the car value at £50 you cant go wrong! Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 3 Feb 2006 09:42 rape seed oil rather than diesel - Group B

You could check this site out to see if your fuel injection pump is up to the job, some run fine on it and some hate it. www.doctordiesel.co.uk/ Then again if you bought car for £50, its not such a financial problem if it packs up! Here is a database of cars which have been running on it, search Renault, I think there is a Clio mentioned: snipurl.com/m6qb I know some people cut the veg. oil with petrol too, but I dont know what mix they use. This forum has expert advice for running on veg. oil: www.vegetableoildiesel.co.uk/forum/index.php I wish I could use it in mine! cheers, Rich. Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 3 Feb 2006 10:20 rape seed oil rather than diesel - T Lucas

Amazes me how many vehicles that i notice by the smell of cooking donuts when i'm out walking or on my bike. 43p a litre at Nettos this week.. If C&E do catch you though its probably a hanging offence. Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 3 Feb 2006 10:45 rape seed oil rather than diesel - caesar

oh yes. If your a native of this country and defraud the government they will want your whatsits in there palms? Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 3 Feb 2006 11:06 rape seed oil rather than diesel - daveyK_UK

beware of those police car checks they do a few times a month and you will be fine. your probably best starting your experiment in the summer - the cold really does make it hard for the veggy oil to burn. Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 3 Feb 2006 14:01 rape seed oil rather than diesel - Collos25

It actually burns far hotter than petrol or diesel,use a 12v tracer heater cable on the supply line for winter. Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 3 Feb 2006 15:20 rape seed oil rather than diesel - L'escargot

It's all very well, but the increased demand resulting from this illegitimate use could put up the price. It's not very fair on legitimate users. ;-) -- L\'escargot. Reply | Report as offensive | Link