forddeliveryboy Posted February 6, 2019 Share Posted February 6, 2019 Hiya 320, just listened to that cold start vid properly and here's my take - three glows will take the edge off any battery not in its prime, but it started well, ran ok for a second then died. Which means a bubble of air or the fuel was so thick it wouldn't come down the lines quickly enough. Was it me or were those warning lights dimmer second time the starter turned it over? A good battery of the right spec is vital for these engines running veg in cold weather. How was it as temps dipped to -10 and what sort of veg/dino ratio were you on? Google 2EHN, find somewhere you can source 99% pure acetone for a tenner or less for 5l and add that at 0.15%. Below zero, 1% petrol reduces viscosity nicely without harming power output too much on a N/A engine, I'd want 5-10% too. Below -10 I'd add 30% BP or Esso diesel unless you're running rapeseed. Saving ~£70 a tank, isn't it worth £30 spent on a mains preheater? They're ace - way cheaper than batteries and starter motors and much quicker than chasing leaks caused by gloopy fuel. Otherwise a hot water bottle round the spin on filter improves the first minute of running and if there is ever a FTW (unusual with OM60x, mine always went even on 100% veg at -5) a kettle of boiling water over the lines and injectors usually sorts things. Twiggy and Split_Pin 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
320touring Posted February 7, 2019 Author Share Posted February 7, 2019 Hiya 320, just listened to that cold start vid properly and here's my take - three glows will take the edge off any battery not in its prime, but it started well, ran ok for a second then died. Which means a bubble of air or the fuel was so thick it wouldn't come down the lines quickly enough. Was it me or were those warning lights dimmer second time the starter turned it over? A good battery of the right spec is vital for these engines running veg in cold weather. How was it as temps dipped to -10 and what sort of veg/dino ratio were you on? Google 2EHN, find somewhere you can source 99% pure acetone for a tenner or less for 5l and add that at 0.15%. Below zero, 1% petrol reduces viscosity nicely without harming power output too much on a N/A engine, I'd want 5-10% too. Below -10 I'd add 30% BP or Esso diesel unless you're running rapeseed. On this tank it's been fine at cold starting - I have plenty rapeseed oil in the tank now:) I think the initial issue was down to Soya oil and the fact the car hadnt done any long runs (to charge the battery) It seems much happier now! Saving ~£70 a tank, isn't it worth £30 spent on a mains preheater? They're ace - way cheaper than batteries and starter motors and much quicker than chasing leaks caused by gloopy fuel. Otherwise a hot water bottle round the spin on filter improves the first minute of running and if there is ever a FTW (unusual with OM60x, mine always went even on 100% veg at -5) a kettle of boiling water over the lines and injectors usually sorts things.She's never failed to start yet even down to -6 and as said above, cold starting is much improved. To get power to a mains powered preheater, I'd need to run cable across my neighbours land, so that's a no no. Other tips re hot water bottle and kettle are very welcome:) forddeliveryboy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
320touring Posted February 7, 2019 Author Share Posted February 7, 2019 Last night, I had this out on an epic adventure - covering about 120miles in deepest, darkest central belt. First stop was fellow shiter JimH's to collect a sample of the veg oil he'd offered. Looks like reasonable stuff, and the chance to see the Sentinel Waggon was brilliant. Proper engineering! Then it was over towards sunny* Kelty to procure Clio spares to fix both of them (again!) Observations:It's nearly as quick with your foot just resting, but not engaging kickdown as it is where you are 'Double kickdown BANZAI" A B road blaster it is not, although it grips bloody well, and once speed is achieved, it can be maintained! The headlight aim could do with some work. Front lower arms are needed - is it a garage job? The gearbox is a bit doddery - a fluid and filter change would be beneficial. Lastly, and most importantly, I do enjoy driving it - it's so comfortable, and once you work out how the engine likes to be used, it'll happily keep up with traffic. I got out at the end and felt like I'd just driven to the local supermarket. Split_Pin, Scruffy Bodger, LightBulbFun and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Split_Pin Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 Was that Stuart you were up at? Need to take us for a run in the Merc too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
320touring Posted February 7, 2019 Author Share Posted February 7, 2019 Was that Stuart you were up at? Need to take us for a run in the Merc too!It was indeed young Stu! Run?more like a jog.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lacquer Peel Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 NA diesels do take a bit of getting used to after turbo diesels and modern petrol cars.In isolation they're fine but if you try to drive them like a regular, powerful car it's frustrating. I saw that post about the veg in Alloa, I've used old WVO before, it didn't smell like fresh WVO but still did the job. Do you want a hand collecting/burning it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dome Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 Glad to see this old smoker getting under you skin. ( I'm talking to the car, natch) Gearbox Oil and filer change isn't too bad, you should be able to drain the torque converter too to get a full change. I did that on my w210 I did always find my saloon pleasing to drive once i got my head around it's revvy diesel engine and as you say, surprising amount of grip. I need to visit young Stu soon for some track tyres. Did you see the hulk of our old Corolla there? Split_Pin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forddeliveryboy Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 NA diesels do take a bit of getting used to after turbo diesels and modern petrol cars.In isolation they're fine but if you try to drive them like a regular, powerful car it's frustrating. When in a hurry, they feel slow, when not they feel fine. The D5 feels more like a petrol than dizzle, even in low power version it's fast as. Which can be annoying, since the economy is then worse than an Audi 100 2.2 petrol, yet not as fast. Lots to be said in favour of 90s diesels. If the 124 is barely quicker in kickdown then it's gloopy fuel which can't move and burn fast enough (fphe makes a vast difference to this in winter, only a tenner too) or a tired autobox. Or both. When right, one of these should accelerate much harder through 4-5000rpm than under 3, on the right bit of road they should feel plenty brisk in 3rd. They're quite unlike anything before or since, I'm pleased you're appreciating their hidden qualities. Lacquer Peel 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
320touring Posted February 15, 2019 Author Share Posted February 15, 2019 Tonight my Brother, Davehedgehog31 and I went see JimH for the first installment of "Vegshite:heavy haul edition" Jim had made an excellent start by setting up the pump, then forgetting it would siphon.. Oh how we laughed:) Next up was to start pulling the containers out the back of the car and get filling. The pump was heavily aerating the veg ( you can see it on the 20L tubs on the LHS of the above picture), so we watched it settle as we continued to fill. It rapidly cleared to a lovely looking liquid, so we just boshed 20L in the tank:) In fairly short order 230L was pumped. 210 in containers and 20L in the tank. We'll likely filter the 210L unless the Merc ain't grumbly on what's in it:) Thanks again to Jim for the assistance and oil - top shiter:) LightBulbFun, Skizzer, The Moog and 9 others 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirley Knott Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 NA diesels do take a bit of getting used to after turbo diesels and modern petrol cars. That's pretty much the size of it, turbo diesel engines are far more like petrol cars to drive and totally different to the NA diesel experience. I've learned with the Golf and the Lupo that anything over 2K rpm is pointless, the only thing that's produced is more noise. Once you've got your head around that, dusted yourself off and come to terms with it then the mega mpg's and maintaining momentum/ lazy cruising await... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
320touring Posted February 15, 2019 Author Share Posted February 15, 2019 Unfortunately, these om603 don't wake up until 3.5k:) Running it up to get the oil tonight it was a little better without the tools in the boot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirley Knott Posted February 16, 2019 Share Posted February 16, 2019 Unfortunately, these om603 don't wake up until 3.5k:) Shame, but perhaps goes some way to explain the less than stellar mpg? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
320touring Posted February 16, 2019 Author Share Posted February 16, 2019 Shame, but perhaps goes some way to explain the less than stellar mpg?Amongst many others aye:) Shirley Knott and mrbenn 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Moog Posted February 16, 2019 Share Posted February 16, 2019 That's a lot of oil! You need to get a Will kind of setup with proper fuel pump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
320touring Posted February 16, 2019 Author Share Posted February 16, 2019 That's a lot of oil! You need to get a Will kind of setup with proper fuel pump.Nah, got a holeshot tube that screws right onto the 20L tubs, and the 10/5L can just get fucked down the funnel with no filter in.. The Moog 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DodgeRover Posted February 16, 2019 Share Posted February 16, 2019 You really should filter and dry the oil before use. A filter or fuel line clogged or worse just isn't what you want in a freezing night 10 miles walk from the last place you had a phone signal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
320touring Posted February 16, 2019 Author Share Posted February 16, 2019 You really should filter and dry the oil before use. A filter or fuel line clogged or worse just isn't what you want in a freezing night 10 miles walk from the last place you had a phone signal.Most of it is getting filtered at Veg Towers, Honest:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lacquer Peel Posted February 16, 2019 Share Posted February 16, 2019 I think it's been settling for almost a decade but the stuff at the bottom of the IBC might be guff. 320touring 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DodgeRover Posted February 16, 2019 Share Posted February 16, 2019 I think it's been settling for almost a decade but the stuff at the bottom of the IBC might be guff.Ideal for turning into bio though if it's not got clad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
320touring Posted February 27, 2019 Author Share Posted February 27, 2019 Was displaying the dubious pleasures of driving this tub at Scotoshite tonight.. People were very nice about its obvious performance shortcomings, bar Tickman, who just chortled away:) Then home at an indicated 85 - in near silence despite turning 3500rpm. I do like it. LightBulbFun, Split_Pin, The Moog and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Bell Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 What's not to like? Going fast costs more expensive. Slow is good budget motoring. spike60 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
320touring Posted February 27, 2019 Author Share Posted February 27, 2019 What's not to like? Going fast costs more expensive. Slow is good budget motoring.Not really! Always accelerating:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tickman Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 It is the strangest diesel I've driven.Surprising levels of quiet even with the current exhaust situation. 320touring 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
320touring Posted March 5, 2019 Author Share Posted March 5, 2019 in other news, despite the Merc being, old, slow, fucked, slow smelly and slow.. 578.2 miles covered using 96L of veg (bar 6L of Derv to top off the tank and avoid an Exxon Valdez incident) 27.37mpg Total cost : £7.67 Or £0.013 per mile. Sub 2p per mile:) Shirley Knott, Cavcraft, bangernomics and 9 others 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Bell Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 Gr8 vegertals. 320touring 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Split_Pin Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 This is a GR9 car for the money! 320touring 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
320touring Posted March 9, 2019 Author Share Posted March 9, 2019 Went out to this in the morning, and she just wound over and over and over. Battery got drained and not even a cough. Luckily, my neighbour was performing a thorough* check of his Disco 2 before heading to Skye for the weekend. He discovered a need for 2L of oil, but only had one. I swapped him a litre for a jumpstart. Leads connected and away it went no bother. This suggested to me that it was struggling to pull fuel through with just the battery in the car. The filters on the car had been on it since I got it, so no doubt overdue a swap. Anyways, with it running, it was time to head to the unit. Once there, I had a look at the pre-filter Definitely got my monies worth out of it! A new one was swapped on Then it was time to check the main filter: Fuck knows how this ever ran.. Anyways, a new Main filter was sorted, and the car fired up and taken for a test drive. All well, and possibly a slightly perceptible increase in performance.. Ever since the car has been mine it has been howling inside - I think previous owners have done over 200K on veg, and I reckon they could have done another 20K on the veg that was in the interior.. The plan was simple - a £10 valet The attack was thus:HooverUpholstery cleaners plus scrubby brush for seats and doorcardsHoover againWipes for all the plastic/trimWindows cleaned. I used no less than 9 half buckets of water (changing it when dirty) and about 40 wipes. An example - the back of the boot prior And after In total this took about 5 hours. It felt like I removed about 100kg or utter crud from it. Whilst the fan heater whirred in the interior, I turned my craftsmanship to the exterior: One crusty arch: Exceptional surface preparation (handheld wire brush held somewhere near the panel) Seamless It'll do until I can be arsed. I left it up at the unit with doors open to finish drying out, and brought the A2 loaner home.. Thoughts on that to be put elsewhere:) Broadsword, dome, Lacquer Peel and 14 others 17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Moog Posted March 9, 2019 Share Posted March 9, 2019 Seamless .... I would have just driven south ... On veg ... Parked near beko and sent him pics. He would have got bucket wrong un on it GrumpiusMaximus, beko1987, 320touring and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Bell Posted March 9, 2019 Share Posted March 9, 2019 That's mega work in the load bay man. Are you gonna whack a load liner down to protect it in the future? Gaffer tape wings are for winners. That looks mot standard to me. LightBulbFun, mrbenn, 320touring and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
320touring Posted March 9, 2019 Author Share Posted March 9, 2019 That's mega work in the load bay man. Are you gonna whack a load liner down to protect it in the future? Gaffer tape wings are for winners. That looks mot standard to me.Cheers! There's some stains that remain, but short of a proper wet vac shift, its as good as I can get it.. Good shout re the load liner, about £35 gets one from the Fatherland.. mrbenn and Jim Bell 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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