Ethanol

[wmw999 2,593]

Somebody has to try stuff first. Right now diesel cars are available used on the open market. Making one able to use biodiesel is, apparently, pretty frigging easy. Easier than finding the biodiesel.

But if people don't figure out how to do it when it's a little harder, no one will make it easy for the folks who want it in front of them.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[billvon 3,121]

>Now when is technology like that going to be available for the average
>worker without an engineering background?

Right now. These cars are all available as flex fuel cars, which means you can use gasoline, E85, or any mix of them:

Ford Taurus/Sable sedans and Taurus wagons
Ford Explorer/Mountaineer 4-door models
Ford Explorer SportTrac
Chevy Silverado & GMC Sierra
Chevy Silverado & GMC Sierra Hybrid
Chevy Avalanche
Chrysler Sebring
Chrysler Stratus
Chrysler Caravan
Dodge Ram 1500

[billvon 3,121]

>Making one able to use biodiesel is, apparently, pretty frigging easy.

It's really easy. You just fill it up. Any car that will run on regular diesel will run on biodiesel. It does take some messing about with the car (heaters, mostly) to get it to run on straight vegetable oil.

[wmw999 2,593]

I was too lazy to look and make sure. But hey -- the market is full of people too lazy to look

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[BillyVance 35]

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Believe it or not, there's a guy in St. Clair county in Alabama (my home county), just east of Birmingham, who has converted a 1984 diesel truck (picture of it looks like it might be a Dodge) to use burning wood as its primary fuel source, at about the same emission rate as if the wood decomposed on its own.

I would love to see a picture of that truck.

I can scan the newspaper photo, but it won't be very sharp, and it's not a close up... I'll see what I can do tonight. PM me sometime tonight to remind me if you can.

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[dunesurfer 0]

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>Now when is technology like that going to be available for the average
>worker without an engineering background?

Right now. These cars are all available as flex fuel cars, which means you can use gasoline, E85, or any mix of them:

Ford Taurus/Sable sedans and Taurus wagons
Ford Explorer/Mountaineer 4-door models
Ford Explorer SportTrac
Chevy Silverado & GMC Sierra
Chevy Silverado & GMC Sierra Hybrid
Chevy Avalanche
Chrysler Sebring
Chrysler Stratus
Chrysler Caravan
Dodge Ram 1500

Don't forget Nissan Titan is availible as FFV.
I want another bonus next year!

[Zep 0]

Quote

>Making one able to use biodiesel is, apparently, pretty frigging easy.

It's really easy. You just fill it up. Any car that will run on regular diesel will run on biodiesel. It does take some messing about with the car (heaters, mostly) to get it to run on straight vegetable oil.

I use my own version of biodiesel an have done for several years, I use a 40/60 mix of refined sunflower oil with diesel from the
gas station. This is in the Nissan truck I use for work, After more than two years the motor is just fine,
Mind you when its loaded or going up hill it does smell abit of burnt veggies

Gone fishing

[billvon 3,121]

>I use my own version of biodiesel an have done for several years, I
>use a 40/60 mix of refined sunflower oil with diesel . . .

Cool that that works. I have also heard a 80/20 blend of vegetable oil/kerosene works for most engines.

[Snowwhite 0]

I have a friend who made a car run on methane. He was using a concoction that he mixed from his chicken coop. He's been driving it for years, but I don't know what the mix is, if he is using it with gas, or at what ratio.

skydiveTaylorville.org
freefallbeth@yahoo.com

[billvon 3,121]

Update:

So far I've run four tanks of fuel through the Prius, with ethanol ratios between 25 and 50%. No problems, no warning lights. I still get slightly lower gas mileage and slightly more power.

Just about anyone out there can safely do this with up to 10% ethanol if you have a car that's 2002 or newer. 10% ethanol means about a gallon and a half of E85, and the rest gasoline, for most cars. The car will run cleaner, you'll get a bit more power, and you'll reduce gasoline usage.