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--- vego:veg_oil_motoring [2025/12/17 19:23] – [What can I do?] Simon Grant
+++ vego:veg_oil_motoring [2026/03/26 18:33] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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-# Veg oil motoring
+This topic is part of [[gt:transport|Transport & freight]].
+====== Veg oil motoring ======
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-## What is veg oil motoring?
+===== What is veg oil motoring? =====
 Rudolf Diesel's [first engine ran on vegetable (peanut) oil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_Diesel#Use_of_vegetable_oils_as_Diesel_engine_fuel). You can do the same thing today, but some modifications to your diesel vehicle will be necessary for veg oil motoring (it’s not possible to convert petrol vehicles to run on vegetable oil).
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-## What are the benefits of veg oil motoring?
+===== What are the benefits of veg oil motoring? =====
 Vegetable oil is a biofuel, and as such is virtually carbon-neutral. This means that the carbon dioxide (CO2) released when the fuel is burnt is absorbed by the plants that will provide the next crop of oil (although we only support the use of cleaned, waste cooking oil - see below).
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 </WRAP>
-## What can I do?
+===== What can I do? =====
 As the world moves towards electric vehicles, this topic becomes less relevant. However, we don't know what's around the corner, and diesel engines may be required for agriculture and distribution in case of breakdown of essential supply chains for whatever reason.
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 </WRAP>
-### Two-tank method
+==== Two-tank method ====
 An extra tank is added for veg oil. You start with diesel, then switch to veg oil when the engine is hot, and it's continually heated via a heat exchange system. Before stopping, switch to the diesel tank again so that there will be mineral diesel in the fuel line when you come to start your car again. Cost installed c. £800. DIY kit c. £400
-### Simple one-tank method
+==== Simple one-tank method ====
 It’s simpler – you don’t have to remember to switch to mineral diesel near the end of your journey, and veg oil and mineral diesel can be mixed in the same tank. A simple one-tank conversion involves pre-heating the oil before it gets to the cylinders, and is only possible with indirect injection vehicles (D, TD, not DI, TDI, HDI, SDI etc.), because they have a separate chamber for atomising the fuel before it reaches the pistons, so cold starting on veg oil is fine. Also, a new, wider fuel line is installed between the fuel tank and the heat exchanger, because of the extra viscosity of vegetable oil. Cost installed c. £600.
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 </figure>
 </WRAP>
+==== Elsbett one-tank method ====
-### [Elsbett](http://www.elsbett.com) one-tank method
+[[http://www.elsbett.com|Elsbett]] is a German kit with a few installers in the UK. They've designed an engine where veg oil is the fuel and the coolant, so it gets continually heated. When starting from cold, there's an electrically-heated jacket on the fuel filter. However, they advise against using waste oil.
-German kit with a few installers in the UK. They've designed an engine where veg oil is the fuel and the coolant, so it gets continually heated. When starting from cold, there's an electrically-heated jacket on the fuel filter. However, they advise against using waste oil.
 In a conventional diesel engine, fuel is initially sprayed onto a heater plug at the top of the chamber (which is why you have to wait a few moments for the plug to heat up when starting a diesel engine); in an Elsbett conversion, the heater plug stays on until the engine is up to temperature. Cost installed c. £850-1300, depending on vehicle. DIY kit c. £550-750. More difficult than the other two conversions - a job for experienced mechanics only.
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 </WRAP>
-### Paying duty
+==== Paying duty ====
 Road fuel duty is payable for veg oil in the UK, but the rates change. Contact [HM Revenue & Customs](http://www.hmrc.gov.uk) for advice.
-## Further resources
+===== Forum =====
+This topic belongs to the section [[gt:transport|Transport & freight]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/transport).
+===== Further resources =====
+- [Alternative Fuels Data Center](https://afdc.energy.gov/)
+- [Biofuel Systems](https://www.biofuelsystems.com/filters.htm) - filtration and other equipment
+- [Mother Earth News](https://www.motherearthnews.com/sustainable-living/green-transportation/run-a-diesel-vehicle-on-vegetable-oil-zmaz07djzgoe/) - run a diesel vehicle on vegetable oil
+- [Elsbett](https://www.elsbett.com/) - Elsbett Gmbh (Germany) - manufacturer of conversion kits (new oil only)
+- [How diesel engines work](https://auto.howstuffworks.com/diesel.htm)
+- [Journey to Forever](https://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_svo.html) - discussions about using straight veg oil as a road fuel, plus comparisons with biodiesel
+- [VegBurner](http://vegburner.co.uk/report.html) - report on veg oil as a fuel
+- [WVODesigns](https://wvodesigns.com/wvo-conversion.html) - converting vehicles to run on waste vegetable oil (WVO), waste motor oil (WMO) and other alternative fuels. We have plenty of experience in weaning vehicle engines from expensive fossil fuels onto cost-effective green alternatives
+===== Related topics =====
+- [[biod:biodiesel|Biodiesel]]
+- [[recl:Recycling|Recycling, reusing & repairing]]
+- [[litr:transport|Low-impact transport]]
-## Specialist curators of this topic
+===== Specialist curators of this topic =====