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Drive a Greasecar - DIY Biodiesel

Posted by michael on from the smells-like-french-fries dept.

TinyTim writes "Sure, you could buy expensive biodiesel for you car - or you can hack your diesel to run on filtered vegetable oil. Kits take a few hours to install and cost about $800, but you can get your fuel free from restaurant deep-fryers (the filters are ~$10/2000mi). Supposedly no loss of performance or mileage, and you can change between diesel and veggie oil with the flick of a switch. A previous article mentioned the theoretical possibility, but it looks like kits are now available from greasecar.com."

4 of 385 comments (clear)

  1. Many Users by cide1 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Once many people start using this, you wont be able to get the fuel for free. It is free now, because grease is considered waste. Once it has a value, restaurants will charge for it. Besides, this is a short term solution to a long term problem.

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    1. Re:Many Users by KingKire64 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I think the problem is is that there isnt enough land for the amount of ppl that would use this. COuld you imagine how much Vegetables would be needed if everyone in america drove these type cars. And thats just America. And plants are a renewable resource but they take time to grow

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  2. Must start on diesel by kiwimate · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The car starts on diesel and after several miles Mr. Noe-Hays flips a switch and changes to his other fuel source. At the end of the day he switches back to diesel to clean the engine of grease.

    Now, I wonder if it's just at the beginning of the day, or if he has to be on diesel every time he turns the key. If the latter, and you're mostly driving around town, then you'll never get the chance to use the oil part of it. (Not to detract from its usefulness on long journeys, of course.)

    I had a quick look at the greasecar site, but couldn't find the answer to this question. Anyone know the deal?

  3. Stay away from this crap! by Knacklappen · · Score: 2, Interesting

    If you really want to promote alternatives then demand earlier introduction of low sulfur fuel. Some more info here and yes, the pretroleum industry is whining about cost increase, while even the car industry is demanding this fuel...

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