Stock fuel pump with WVO system

[sandec]

It sounds like the stock fuel pump on a 1995 ford powerstroke is not adequet for handling WVO heated or not. Is this the generally accepted idea to go with a FASS system?

[hheynow]

My stock fuel pump handles WVO just fine. Just make sure your heating system is good.

[BlueMule]

I ran heated wvo thru the stock pump for over two years without any pump problems.

[badman]

Originally Posted by BlueMule

I ran heated wvo thru the stock pump for over two years without any pump problems.

That's good to know! Your rigs use electric pumps, correct? What about mechanical two stage pumps? And how did you plumb the vo return lines? I am guessing hydraforce 3-way valves?

[airfooter]

Originally Posted by badman

That's good to know! Your rigs use electric pumps, correct? What about mechanical two stage pumps? And how did you plumb the vo return lines? I am guessing hydraforce 3-way valves?

Ditch the mechanical pump in favor of electric and use checkvalves instead of 'switching' valves before the IP. Then switch over is then determined by what pump is turned on. Add (2) hydraforce valves after IP - 1 for reurn to VO or diesel tank and the 2nd on VO return to 'loop' VO back to before VO pump. The 2nd valve is optional, but sure does add alot of 'free' heat.

My 'stock-type' electric pump (on VO system) has almost 55k miles on exclusively VO, BUT - many have reported failures due to the fact that fuel is in contact w/copper windings, etc inside pump.

[hheynow]

IMO it's far more important to run separate fuel filters for each tank (and omitting the stock fuel filter) than going to electric pumps unless you have money to burn.

[BlueMule]

Originally Posted by badman

That's good to know! Your rigs use electric pumps, correct? What about mechanical two stage pumps? And how did you plumb the vo return lines? I am guessing hydraforce 3-way valves?

I had a 110 gallon tank in the bed with a hot fox heated pickup. Ran a hose in hose system for both the supply and return lines. And had a 6 port pollak valve mounted on the valve cover that selected which fuel tank I drew from and returned to. From there it went thru the stock mechanical fuel pump and stock fuel bowl.

[airfooter]

Originally Posted by hheynow

IMO it's far more important to run separate fuel filters for each tank (and omitting the stock fuel filter) than going to electric pumps unless you have money to burn.

Amen brother.

Originally Posted by BlueMule

I had a 110 gallon tank in the bed with a hot fox heated pickup. Ran a hose in hose system for both the supply and return lines. And had a 6 port pollak valve mounted on the valve cover that selected which fuel tank I drew from and returned to. From there it went thru the stock mechanical fuel pump and stock fuel bowl.

This system is a classic example of how little it takes to make a diesel run on VO. The owner will usually claim 'it works great'. The problem is, the junkyards are filling up with these things and the people aren't coming back here to tell YOU about it. In reality, if this truck was only driven on long trips and the driver delayed switchover until VO temps were adequate AND was diligent about the 10-15 min purge time, this truck may last a long time. But, most likely the owner switches over early (he's trying HARD to save money, right) and squirts (not sprays) cool VO into the combustion chamber where it does not completley ignite. This leaves a nasty carbon deposit that gets thicker each time the cycle is repeated. THEN, when he switches back to diesel, a huge slug of VO is returned to the diesel tank where it settles to bottom overnite. In the morning, when the truck is started it first has to burn the VO that is still in filter (because 10 minutes is stupid) which leaves some more nasty stuff in the combustion chamber. This is enhanced by the VO that is being sucked off the bottom of the diesel tank. And NOW the early switchover and rest of the cycle can begin. Oh, IF the VO ever actually does get hot enough, it will render the plastic pollak valve useless.

Dude, I'm not trying to call you out. Please look for others that have suffered this fate. There are 'systems' for sale right now that don't address many of these KNOWN problems. We KNOW FOR A FACT that a copper HE in a steel or aluminum tank will cause polymerization, but they sell hundreds of kits/month. Don't be fooled by the hype. This is possible - but its not necessarily 'easy'.

[Halitosis]

It's also entirely possible that BlueMule lives in Arizona... where the ambient temperature is something akin to the 7th circle of HELL, and WVO characteristics approach the irrelevant....

As far as your other comments... that's just par for the course. We all have to be careful of 'core temperature', WVO viscosity, and purge times. No surprises there.


(Hey, BlueMule... just been lurking lately?)


Halitosis

[hheynow]

Originally Posted by airfooter

THEN, when he switches back to diesel, a huge slug of VO is returned to the diesel tank where it settles to bottom overnite. In the morning, when the truck is started it first has to burn the VO that is still in filter (because 10 minutes is stupid) which leaves some more nasty stuff in the combustion chamber. This is enhanced by the VO that is being sucked off the bottom of the diesel tank.

This very well could happen with my system because when I purge a squirt of WVO does enter the rear tank. There is a very easy way to avoid a WVO buildup. NEVER TOP OFF THE REAR TANK! Run it down to the bottom of the red line. This way the WVO will always be at a minimum. But on the other hand a squirt of WVO may benefit USLD since it's so dry.

[Spotty]

The electric pumps in the early powerstrokes must be stronger than the 01's cause i've gone through two, know I have a FASS

[hheynow]

Early Powerstrokes? The 1st gen PSDs have a mechanical fuel pump powered by a lobe on the cam shaft and located under the turbo.

[larecar84]

Originally Posted by airfooter

Amen brother.





This system is a classic example of how little it takes to make a diesel run on VO. The owner will usually claim 'it works great'. The problem is, the junkyards are filling up with these things and the people aren't coming back here to tell YOU about it. In reality, if this truck was only driven on long trips and the driver delayed switchover until VO temps were adequate AND was diligent about the 10-15 min purge time, this truck may last a long time. But, most likely the owner switches over early (he's trying HARD to save money, right) and squirts (not sprays) cool VO into the combustion chamber where it does not completley ignite. This leaves a nasty carbon deposit that gets thicker each time the cycle is repeated. THEN, when he switches back to diesel, a huge slug of VO is returned to the diesel tank where it settles to bottom overnite. In the morning, when the truck is started it first has to burn the VO that is still in filter (because 10 minutes is stupid) which leaves some more nasty stuff in the combustion chamber. This is enhanced by the VO that is being sucked off the bottom of the diesel tank. And NOW the early switchover and rest of the cycle can begin. Oh, IF the VO ever actually does get hot enough, it will render the plastic pollak valve useless.

Dude, I'm not trying to call you out. Please look for others that have suffered this fate. There are 'systems' for sale right now that don't address many of these KNOWN problems. We KNOW FOR A FACT that a copper HE in a steel or aluminum tank will cause polymerization, but they sell hundreds of kits/month. Don't be fooled by the hype. This is possible - but its not necessarily 'easy'.

It doesnt sound like it is worth all the trouble to modify your truck and make your fuel. Would this be a fair opinion because I have been thinking of getting the processessor that was on The show TRUCKS a few years ago Freedom fuel I think is the name. I didnt realize you had to do all that to your truck because they made it sound like all you had to do was put it in your tank and go.

[Halitosis]

Originally Posted by larecar84

It doesnt sound like it is worth all the trouble to modify your truck and make your fuel. Would this be a fair opinion because I have been thinking of getting the processessor that was on The show TRUCKS a few years ago Freedom fuel I think is the name. I didnt realize you had to do all that to your truck because they made it sound like all you had to do was put it in your tank and go.

You are mixing your terms together.

With WVO you convert the truck. With BioDiesel you convert the fuel.

If you go the WVO route, you have to mechanically convert the truck so that you don't have to "make your fuel".

If you go the BioDiesel route, you DON'T have to "do all that to your truck" (potential fuel line/fuel filter replacement not withstanding) to run with the fuel.

Friend of mine up the street has the FreedomFuel kit. The entire setup is pricey (compared to what you can build on your own), but as far as a COMPLETE setup with COMPLETE instructions, and COMPLETE labeling of all the valves/parts/pieces, etc... as well as the thing arriving at your door being 95% pre-assembled...

... well, he's happy. Seems to be a quality product.


Halitosis

[airfooter]

Originally Posted by Halitosis

You are mixing your terms together.

With WVO you convert the truck. With BioDiesel you convert the fuel.

If you go the WVO route, you have to mechanically convert the truck so that you don't have to "make your fuel".

If you go the BioDiesel route, you DON'T have to "do all that to your truck" (potential fuel line/fuel filter replacement not withstanding) to run with the fuel.

Friend of mine up the street has the FreedomFuel kit. The entire setup is pricey (compared to what you can build on your own), but as far as a COMPLETE setup with COMPLETE instructions, and COMPLETE labeling of all the valves/parts/pieces, etc... as well as the thing arriving at your door being 95% pre-assembled...

... well, he's happy. Seems to be a quality product.


Halitosis

Well put.

As for biodiesel processors, you can get what you pay for. I think the plastic tank get-ups are way overpriced for what they do. I am using a BioPro 190 to make Bio. BIODIESEL PRODUCER It is all tig-welded stainless steel, and the only assembly is putting the feet on.

Yeah, its like $9k, but it is 100% automated. You put the ingredients in, push a button, come back in 24 hrs drain off glycerol, push another button, come back 24hrs later and pump 50gals of ASTM qaulity washed 100% biodiesel into your truck. Thats 50gals/48hrs with maybe 45mins total hands-on time.