Replacing the stock tank switch with aftermarket - Diesel Forum

bburrito · 06-13-2009, 11:17 AM

I have a 91 E350 that I am planning to convert over to vegetable oil. The van already has dual tanks as well as the stock fuel switch. From what I can tell, the things I would need to do would be to add an additional filter to the tank I am going to use for vegetable oil as well as additional heating to ensure that the vegetable oil is hot when it makes it to the engine. I would also plumb the fuel return line to go into the VO tank and not the regular diesel tank so as to always have a tank of regular diesel.

My 2 main concerns at this point are about heating the regular diesel and as well as using the stock fuel switch to switch between the tanks. If at some point the regular diesel passes through a fuel heater, will that be a problem? How about the stock switch? I am planning to just manually switch between the diesel and vegetable with an understanding that I need to purge the lines before I turn off the vehicle. But will using vegetable oil have any negative effects on the stock switch?

I am replacing all of the fuel lines in my van and have upgraded my electrical system to handle the additional electrical loads for the heaters. But is there anything else that I am missing here?

arthurgoboom · 06-13-2009, 07:08 PM

I am using the stock tank selector valve for my WMO/diesel blend and haven't had any problems. I don't think the increased viscosity is an issue for the valve, especially if you are preheating the tank.

I don't believe preheating the diesel fuel will do any harm either. I have heard some rumors that heating diesel fuel actually helps have more complete combustion. I think most of the VO guys recommend heating to only about 150*F though, so you may want to consider thermostat control for your heaters.

I am not sure how well the VO will blend with diesel fuel either, someone who's using it will have to chime in with that information.

okiephillip · 06-13-2009, 09:34 PM

Been doing some reading on the subject. The Brits seem to run a 40% mix with no problems.

I took a 1.5 gallon glass jar an mixed a gallon of used canola oil with 1/2 gal of winter diesel then let it set for 24 hours with zero sign of the fluids separating. I plan to run 5 gallons of used canola oil to 12 gallons of diesel in the front tank. Was planning to only run the canola mix till motor is good a hot like while on the highway.

Added a gallon of used canola to about 10 gallons of diesel when I switched to the mix tank motor madeless noise but seemed to run fine. Will keep the group informed of my findings

Figure running a mix is a lot simpler than trying to run 100% canola.

Any thoughts?

okiephillip · 07-12-2009, 07:49 AM

So far I've put 8 gallons of filtered used canola oil threw into my front fuel tank with no issues. If any issues pop up I'll post it here.

okiephillip · 08-11-2009, 06:12 AM

So far I'm running 80% canola oil and 20% diesel in my front tank with no issues once the motor gets warm.

okiephillip · 09-14-2009, 09:36 PM

Thought I'd give y'all the latest info on my canola oil experiment. I've put about 50 gallons of canola oil and 5 gallons of Soyo oil through my truck via the stock front tank with no problems. One morning I forgot to switch it to the rear tank and she started on about 95% canola oil after work it was about 80 degrees out side and I switch over to the rear tank as soon as I realised what I had forgot to do.