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Grease Car: Finding and Converting a Diesel to run on Vegetable Oil

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Grease Cars

I started this lens to help others navigate the tricky but fun process of converting a diesel to run on vegetable oil. After being interested in this topic for a number of years (I wrote an article on Grease Car way back in 2000), I decided to take the plunge in the beginning of 2008.

Hopefully, this lens will curb your hesitations and save you some of the many hours I put into researching the topic. Don't be intimidated by the process--I'm not mechanically inclined, and I managed to make it happen.

Finding a Diesel

Where to Buy a Car to Convert

Auto Trader
A good search site for diesels--you have to click "View more search criteria" at the bottom and change fuel type to diesel (or alternative!). You can also search by body type (wagon, sedan, etc.)
Craigslist
I'm sure you've heard about Craig and his great list...I think they even have an Eastern Siberia page at this point. Anyway, it's a great local resource to find a private party used diesel.
Grease Car classifieds
Grease Car, maker of vegetable oil conversion kits also has a classified listings. You could even find a converted car for sale and bypass most of this lens.
Cars.com
You have to type "diesel" into the optional search words blank, but it's pretty good otherwise.
Biodiesel and SVO Forum
A forum where buyers and sellers might just meet.

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Conversion Kit Sellers

Where to Get Your Veggie Car Kit

Most conversions use a two tank system, meaning they'll leave the original diesel tank and add a second for the veggie oil. Even then, prices and styles vary.
Grease Car
(Massachusetts) This outfit sells two tank conversion kits with veggie oil tanks that hold 15 gallons for around $1,000.
Golden Fuel Systems
(Missouri) Formerly "Greasel," the company sells two tank conversion kits with a choice of 12 gallon or 20 gallon tank. Prices range from $1,200.
Frybrid
(Seattle, Wash.) Frybrid Vegetable Oil Systems sells two tank conversions that automatically switch from diesel to vegetable oil. Kits sell for around $1,500-$2,600 depending on the vehicle.
PlantDrive
(Berkeley, Calif.) They sell both one and two tank kits. Prices range from $450 to $1,700 depending on make and model.
Elsbett Systems
(Germany) This single tank system is best for older Mercedes. They have local partnerships with shops in Connecticut, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Wisconsin.

Where Do I Get Vegetable Oil??

Answer: Restaurants!

There's a real variety of options out there. It's your job to find a restaurant that is amenable to setting aside the oil or letting you know when they are changing the oil in their deep fryers.

Things to look for:
--High-quality oil. The better the oil, the better your veggie car will run.
--Steady supply. 'Nuff said.
--Clean oil. The fewer food particles in it, the less filtering you'll have to do. Oil used just for French fries is better than stuff that cooks fries, meat and everything else under the sun.

Books about Grease Car Conversions

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Discussion Forums

Where to Gab about Grease Cars

Biodiesel and SVO Forums
A good place to ask questions about using SVO (or biodiesel).
Fybrid Forum
Lots of threads and a place to narrow discussion by state.
Greasecar Forum
Get your "greasy" discussion on here. Also has classified postings.

Filtering, Parts, etc.

Need something to modify your veggie car?

Harborfreight
One-stop shopping
McMaster-Carr
Good for nuts and bolts
B100 Supply
Mostly biodiesel stuff, but some is useful for vegetable oil.
Fryer to Fuel
Great place to find filtration products

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JBloom

Hey, I'm a freelance journalist focusing on food, energy and the environment.

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