What is best for heating the oil for my veg oil conversion?

[ErikBM Biofuels Forum Newbie Find all posts View Profile Close ErikBM]

Hi All,
First time post so hope I get it right. I have been trying to convert a Merc 300D for a while now, but am stuck on how to heat the oil easily and cheaply.

I tried heating it off the exhaust pipe via a 10 mm copper pipe, but the pipe doesn't get anywhere near hot enough. Do I buy a heat exchanger and of what sort and where from?

Do I make one by running 13 mm copper pipe through the middle of some heater hose? What length do I need to get it hot?

Thanks for any help. Good to see the forum happening in Australia. It wasn't there when I first looked.

Erik

[pangit Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close pangit]

Re: What is best for heating the oil for my veg oil conversion?

I think you need a heat exchanger from the radiator fluid. A few other people here have done it (not me though, I just saw the threads).

Take a look at this one here, which links to his website with detailed plans and photos.

I think Tony from West Oz (another forum user) does this too and he is selling the heat exchanger on Ebay.

[Captain Echidna Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Captain Echidna]

Re: What is best for heating the oil for my veg oil conversion?

I have used about 1 meter of 8mm copper pipe coiled in a 2" copper pipe, with coolant in the 2", fuel (either diesel or veg) in the 8mm. It really needs more length to heat the oil properly. It varies between 40-55 degrees C.

Probably more heating before the heater would be a good idea (hose on hose or similar, and a heated tank.

[Tony From West Oz Vice Chairperson of WARFA Find all posts View Profile Close Tony From West Oz]

Re: What is best for heating the oil for my veg oil conversion?

I have done testing on a 10 plate FPHE in my '79 300D. In 23 minutes of driving, I have switched to veggie oil as soon as the fuel temperature has reached 60°C (around 8 minutes after starting). The oil temperature continued to rise due to HOH and engine heat at the fuel pump. After about 12-13 minutes, the temperature of the oil entering the IP rises again due to the fuel filter temperature rising (warmer oil entering the filter).