One way to say f**k off to the Bushits: get a biodiesel car!

Let's face it: gasoline prices will never drop under $2.00 a gallon now that the Saudis don't need to appease the American voter. (maybe in parts of the country the price is still hovering around $1.90, but I live in San Francisco.) So for those of you who haven't heard YOU CAN BUY A CAR WITH A DIESEL ENGINE AND RUN IT ON VEGETABLE OIL.

There are 2 ways to do it: either the oil is processed professionally and filtered, which is biodiesel. Or if you have the right hoses, you can actually go to a fast-food restaurant and ask them for their used french fry (oops--I mean FREEDOM FRY) oil. Usually they'll give it to you, because they have to pay to have it hauled away. So it's mutually advantageous.

When my friend first told me about this, I thought she was having 60s flashbacks. But it's absolutely true. You can go to Google and search it out--you'll find resources for finding the fuel or even making your own. As for cars, any diesel engine will work, with a little conversion.

I went to Craig's List to check out actual cars, and was surprised to find so many. I have my eye on a Jetta that's less than 10,000. And the other great advantage: the car doesn't need to be smogged. Ever.

Anyway, with all of us feeling powerless and wondering what to do, this is my personal first step. Yes, we're all poor, but for those of us who need new cars anyway or those who already drive diesel cars, please consider this option. The one way to cripple this administration is literally not to BUY into its message. Let's bankrupt this Nazi regime anyway we can!!!!

How do I know - because I GOT ONE!! And yes, I love it.

or do you buy it as you need it? And what, if any, damage might it do to a regular diesel? I've got a diesel truck I'd like to try that on.

I get it from a guy a couple of blocks away in Seattle.

http://www.biodiesel.org/buyingbiodiesel/distributors/default.shtm

Can farmers get the same deductions for biodiesel as they get for other farm use fuels?

Mercedes converted to run on veggie oil and it fell through but I was under the impression you needed a Diesel Engine.. Is that not the case???

want to use Biodiesel blends. If you want to use straight biodiesel you'll need to do some minor modifications. This guy explains it:

http://www.biodieselamerica.org/biosite/index.php?id=3,0,0,1,0,0

Plus we own an MCI bus that we will begin converting which is a Diesel as well. All vehicles will be run on Bio-Diesel and i'm going to make it myself.

...I think you have to refine the oil some before you can run a car on it.

There are those Mercedes' that run on deisen though. I'm not sure what other cars do.

I dont know that you can put the fry oil directly in the tank though. I could be wrong.

:shrug:

Heyo

and you CAN run straight vegetable oil as long as it's filtered and heated first, but mostly you mix it up with some lye, and methenol..Very simple process and then you don't have to heat it up.

Here is some information (I had never heard of it either):

http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/biodiesel_basics/default.shtm

What is biodiesel?
Biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. It can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.

How is biodiesel made?
Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification whereby the glycerin is separated from the fat or vegetable oil. The process leaves behind two products -- methyl esters (the chemical name for biodiesel) and glycerin (a valuable byproduct usually sold to be used in soaps and other products).


Is Biodiesel the same thing as raw vegetable oil?
No! Fuel-grade biodiesel must be produced to strict industry specifications (ASTM D6751) in order to insure proper performance. Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have fully completed the health effects testing requirements of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. Biodiesel that meets ASTM D6751 and is legally registered with the Environmental Protection Agency is a legal motor fuel for sale and distribution. Raw vegetable oil cannot meet biodiesel fuel specifications, it is not registered with the EPA, and it is not a legal motor fuel.

For entities seeking to adopt a definition of biodiesel for purposes such as federal or state statute, state or national divisions of weights and measures, or for any other purpose, the official definition consistent with other federal and state laws and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) guidelines is as follows:

Biodiesel is defined as mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats which conform to ASTM D6751 specifications for use in diesel engines. Biodiesel refers to the pure fuel before blending with diesel fuel. Biodiesel blends are denoted as, "BXX" with "XX" representing the percentage of biodiesel contained in the blend (ie: B20 is 20% biodiesel, 80% petroleum diesel).

Why should I use biodiesel?
Biodiesel is better for the environment because it is made from renewable resources and has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel. It is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar. Since it is made in the USA from renewable resources such as soybeans, its use decreases our dependence on foreign oil and contributes to our own economy.

Where do I get biodiesel?
Biodiesel is available nationwide. It can be purchased directly from biodiesel producers and marketers, petroleum distributors, or at a handful of public pumps throughout the nation.


For more information on the general and technical definitions of biodiesel, the distinction between the two and why those distinctions are important, click here.

amount that we'd need to power our contry full of bio-d dependent cars?

Petrochemical fertilizers, we're replacing a noose for a dagger.

won't go to the trouble. This info has been out there for quite a while and in this part of the country there are actually quite a few running on biodiesel or straight veggie oil. I have told many people about it but most think its too much work. I bought an old rebuilt diesel Mercedes and I plan to buy the kit to run it on straight vegetable oil so it can run on diesel or veggie oil.

vegetable oil cost more than gasoline per gallon?

In Europe they are in very wide use in passenger cars. Peugeot makes an outstanding diesel engine automobile. There is a brand of small no-glitz basic Korean car with a diesel engine imported into Europe that is very cheap and that lasts and lasts. My cousin in California owns an old 1983 Mercedes station wagon that has over 300,000 miles on it and is still going quite strong. It's not unusual for a diesel engine to accumulate over 500,000 miles before requiring major repairs. My cousin is moving to the sticks in Oregon and is considering modifying his diesel to run on salad oil. However, I believe that vegetable oil is still a lot more expensive than diesel fuel. However, isn't heating oil (the kind they pump into the basement reservoir of your house in the Eastern US) just about the same thing, only cheaper?

than gas-about 20 cents more per gallon right now. For some reason, diesels aren't readily available here. I wanted a diesel jeep but they are only available oversees. I looked for a diesel landrover and could find none. You don't use new vegetable oil-you get used oil from fast food restaurants so its essentially free. Yahoo has several diesel and veggie groups.

Now if only they would tell me when to pick it up. I've had 5 delivery dates in three months.



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