WOuldn't start this morning - Veg Oil frozen ?

[11redrex]

Like the title says. Had to squirt diesel down the pipe to the pump to get it going !
I've got a clear pipe feeding the filter, and it didn't look like there was anything in there, but after I reconnected the other pipe and pumped the primer, I could see bubbles in the tube. It ran fine once it was started, but was a bit hesitant starting again after sitting all day.
What's the chances the veg oil was frozen, or at least so cold it wouldn't go through the filter ?
Gotta get that mini filter out and cleaned, change the injectors, fit new glow plugs, maybe light a small fire under the fuel tank

 

[extreme-4x4]

http://vegburner.co.uk/oils.htm

might help

 

[Deleted account DD]

round by us it asnt dropped below 5 degrees overnight into today , if its been the same for you theres not much chance of the svo solidifiying to the point it wont work!

When you did the work was there any "lardy" bits floating in the oil?

 

[wildbri]

We have had a couple of -1.7c nights but the jar of sunflower oil I keep on the kitchen window sill as looked ok. I am running on veggie not sunflower mix at the moment and I have noticed on start up there is some lumpy rough running with a little smoke, but it all clears within 50 yards. regards bri

 

[briggie]

i would guess that the viscosity of fluids changes with temperature , but im not sure just how low ( or high ) it needs to be for a significant difference

 

[briggie]

if you can understand the link below , it may help


http://www.mehf.com/2.b.4.e.htm

 

[wildbri]

I tried a jar of sunflower oil in the fridge and the freezer, came out of the fridge looking much the same but out of the freezer it had turned into margarine! bri

 

[11redrex]

Don't know what the temp was here last night but it was bruddy cold this morning. Got a high percentage of veg oil in there too, as I'm too skint to buy diesel, but still had some of Lidl's frying oil from the other weekend. Got 240l at 62p/l ! No lumpy bits !
I think I'll have stick to 50/50 max from now on.
Syphoned 12l of diesel from the maverick and got it all in the terrano so the percentage is better now, I think around 60svo/40diesel.

 

[Deleted account DD]

If there were no lumps , particularly as youve got derv in there, as other have said youd get rough running but no reason why it wouldnt start as far as the svo goes :nenau

 

[lacroupade]

Don't know what the temp was here last night but it was bruddy cold this morning. Got a high percentage of veg oil in there too, as I'm too skint to buy diesel, but still had some of Lidl's frying oil from the other weekend. Got 240l at 62p/l ! No lumpy bits !
I think I'll have stick to 50/50 max from now on.
Syphoned 12l of diesel from the maverick and got it all in the terrano so the percentage is better now, I think around 60svo/40diesel.

I'd definitely say 50/50 is about as high as you should go in winter if you've got no preheater. Its not that the veg is solidifying, but the injector nozzles are so small that it takes only the smallest change in viscosity to cause a bit of a problem. High volumes of any SVO at this time of year are not a good idea.

 

[11redrex]

Fingers crossed. It wouldn't go again today. I think the battery is on the way out as well as it didn't try very hard for very long. Got the spare on the optimate so I'll swap them over tomorrow and see if that makes a difference.
Trying to get the veg oil used up so I ragged it to work and back today. When I say ragged I mean I accelerated at a normal rate, and got up to 80mph at one point ! (only for a little while) Not my usual driving style, I was stressed out when I got to work and didn't get there any quicker. Back to 50mph max and changing gear at 2500rpm tomorrow ! (I get a regular 38mpg - how good is that Karl ?)

 

[11redrex]

it runs fine once it's started, had to put some diesel down the pipe again this morning and jump start of the missus's Mazda 2.

I was thinking at work (in my tea break, obviously) would it be possible to have a two way tap so I could feed it neat diesel on start up and then switch to veg oil once it's going ?

I've seen two tank systems but I need all the space I can get in the back, so a 2 way switchable tap must be available, why can't I find one !

 

[rustic]

it runs fine once it's started, had to put some diesel down the pipe again this morning and jump start of the missus's Mazda 2.

I was thinking at work (in my tea break, obviously) would it be possible to have a two way tap so I could feed it neat diesel on start up and then switch to veg oil once it's going ?

I've seen two tank systems but I need all the space I can get in the back, so a 2 way switchable tap must be available, why can't I find one !

You need 2x 8/10mm ball valves and a T piece, screwfix may have fittings for gas that will be suitable. Or go to a caravan shop.
Downside is if you have them both open at the same time....
You could have them inside the vehicle then feed what you need.
Switch over to derv a mile or so before you get home, then it will purge out the SVO for an easier start.

 

[11redrex]

Just found this :

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CARAVAN-MOTOR..._Accessories&hash=item1c14ef57e7#ht_638wt_698

which looks almost ideal. shame it can't be controlled remotely.....

quick edit, it's actually a three way tap, so not really any good at all ! Unless I blanked one end off ?

 

[Deleted account DD]

if youre thinking of a change over switch, theres plenty of solenoid operated valves out there but you may have to search to get a cheap enough one :thumb2:thumb2

 

[11redrex]

Sounds expensive already ! Think I'll have to go for a Y piece and in line tap, connected to a small tank of diesel just for starting and warming up.

 

[11redrex]

Just a quick update for anyone who thinks they might be experiencing the same problem, I have been topping up with diesel every day and it's be getting easier and easier to start in the morning, despite the weather getting much colder. Also I've been parking on the driveway rather than the road so I think it's been protected from the wind. Back on the road tonight, so we'll see in the morning.