OT-WVO Conversion

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1780 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

Looking into converting old Merc for WVO. Lotsa info on the interweb, looking for real world experience. I wanna go super cheep, probably two tank DIY. Anyone out there been there done that? How hard to find oil? Pitfalls? Sucess Stories?

Thinking I'm already ahead of the game with a 30mpg car to start, but driving to the coast for free would be kiting nirvana. Tired of 40 degree winter water!

tpcramer · Since 26 Jul 2010 71 Posts

Happy to talk to you about the WVO program. I have been driving a 76 240D on WVO for a couple of years now in the gorge. Give me a call and we can talk (541) 490-1288.
The short story would include the HR oil supply being mostly taken up.

tpcramer · Since 26 Jul 2010 71 Posts

Happy to talk to you about the WVO program. I have been driving a 76 240D on WVO for a couple of years now in the gorge. Give me a call and we can talk (541) 490-1288.
The short story would include the HR oil supply being mostly taken up.

Cigar Box Strings · Since 29 Jun 2013 22 Posts Lyle, WA

A couple years back I built and operated a bio-diesel processor in the Everett, WA area. There was a company (Standard Bio-diesel) paying businesses in that area for their WVO which meant I also had to pay. It drove up my cost per gallon, and made it harder to find restaurants with good oil willing to let me have it, but it was still way cheaper than at a station.

I am new to The Gorge and have no idea what the WVO landscape looks like but with so few restaurants running fryers your pickings may be slim. I would get a solid oil source locked down before you invest any money.

beech · Since 21 Aug 2010 485 Posts Longview, WA Obsessed

aint nothin for free

kyle.vh · Since 11 Jul 2007 713 Posts city of angels Addicted

I ran a VW jetta and then golf on WVO from 2003 to 2009, in LA and Portland. I also drove across the country three times, and a few deep Baja trips as well using only veg. In those days it was much easier to get free waste oil from restaurants. Now in LA there are wastewater and collection laws that make it really tricky. My car still has the second tank but I almost never use it now. In Portland it was getting harder to come by free oil as well, finding a dedicated source ahead of time is great advice.

Anyway, it's definitely a fun hobby, but it takes time, patience and a willingness to get dirty. So, if that sounds fun, you'll enjoy it. If you're only in it for the cost savings you may find your time investment seems to offset that.

One idea a friend of mine does; if you are really careful filtering the WVO and you commit to only using it on warm and hot days, you could just put it directly in your tank and be a fair weather WVOer. You'd have to keep track of gallons input, and miles driven to make sure you've used it up when cold weather arrives. Kind of a warm weather, long-road-tripping idea. For what it's worth, I've heard those old mercedes are tough to keep running; i'd recommend VWs or Subaru.

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

you may have missed the boat on the free oils for sure.

most oils in the state are bought up by bio processors.

i know that they will sell you it before the process it as well because they make as much coin without the time and energy.

there is also a limit of fuel you are supposed to have in or around residential and some comercial as well, check with the fire marshall.

If your methanol burns down the neighborhood you may want your insurance to cover it. Which means letting them know and staying legal.

Keep writing off your fuel as bussiness expense and don't bother with the headache...or start a fish and chips food cart to make your own supply.

wvo easier than bio but for the money is is a draw the smiles per gallon is the real winner.

I had almost 10g into a beauti 80 vw caddy turbo diesel and never saw the payoff by the 50mpg savings . think I sold it for 3500.

get an older ford with twin tanks and run one on wvo with heaters is the best bet.

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