July 18, 2005 The concept of a diesel motorcycle is not one that has occurred to a lot of people – at least not many have thought about it for long because despite a rich century of innovation in motorcycling, only a handful of diesel motorcycles have existed and until very recently, they have all been utility vehicles – bikes designed to get great economy on fuel of questionable quality in rugged and remote regions and said diesel two-wheelers had no performance pretensions. As we all know, diesel technology has come a long way in recent times and now the sans-sparkplug engine promises a renaissance thanks to its low emissions, good power output and low consumption … and like so many aspects of technology, it was the muscle of the military dollar that brought the world’s first modern production diesel motorcycle into being.
Diesel Vehicles
If you’re shopping for a diesel, here’s a list of what I’ve been able to find on the market so far:
| Vehicle | Specs | Price |
| Volkswagen New Beetle | hatchback, convertible, GLS, GL, GLS TDI, Diesel, Gas | $29,881 |
| Ford F-350 | truck, Harley Davidson, Lariat, XL, XLT, King Ranch, Gas, Diesel | $139,771 |
| 2007 Volkswagen Eos | convertible, Base, Gas, Diesel | $21,005 |
| 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle TDI 2dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6A) | hatchback, TDI, Diesel | $42,210 |
| 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle TDI 2dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M) | hatchback, TDI, Diesel | $42,800 |
| 2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 4dr Sedan (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 6A) | sedan, TDI, Diesel | $22,000 |
| 2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 4dr Sedan (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M) | sedan, TDI, Diesel | $47,895 |
| 2006 Volkswagen Golf GLS TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M) | hatchback, GLS TDI, Diesel | $20,655 |
| 2006 Volkswagen Golf GLS TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | hatchback, GLS TDI, Diesel | $19,465 |
| 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E320 CDI 4dr Sedan (3.2L 6cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | sedan, E320 CDI, Diesel | $128,374 |
| 2006 HUMMER H1 Alpha Wagon 4WD 4dr SUV (6.6L 8cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | SUV, Wagon, Diesel | N/A |
| 2006 HUMMER H1 Alpha Open-Top 4WD 4dr SUV (6.6L 8cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | SUV, Open-Top, Diesel | $27,745 |
| 2006 Dodge Sprinter High Roof 158 WB 3dr Ext Van (2.7L 5cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | van, 2500 High Roof 158 WB, Diesel | $30,810 |
| 2006 Dodge Sprinter High Roof 140 WB 3dr Ext Van (2.7L 5cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | van, 2500 High Roof 140 WB, Diesel | $36,870 |
| 2006 Dodge Sprinter High Roof 118 WB 3dr Van (2.7L 5cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | van, 2500 High Roof 118 WB, Diesel | $29,050 |
| 2006 Dodge Sprinter Cargo 3500 High Roof 158 WB 3dr Ext Van DRW (2.7L 5cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | van, 3500 High Roof 158 WB, Diesel | $35,725 |
| 2006 Dodge Sprinter Cargo 3500 High Roof 140 WB 3dr Ext Van DRW (2.7L 5cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | van, 3500 High Roof 140 WB, Diesel | N/A |
| 2006 Dodge Sprinter Cargo 3500 140 WB 3dr Ext Van DRW (2.7L 5cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | van, 3500 140 WB, Diesel | $34,775 |
| 2006 Dodge Sprinter Cargo 2500 High Roof 158 WB 3dr Ext Van (2.7L 5cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | van, 2500 High Roof 158 WB, Diesel | $32,885 |
| 2006 Dodge Sprinter Cargo 2500 High Roof 140 WB 3dr Ext Van (2.7L 5cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | van, 2500 High Roof 140 WB, Diesel | $35,725 |
| 2006 Dodge Sprinter Cargo 2500 High Roof 118 WB 3dr Van (2.7L 5cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | van, 2500 High Roof 118 WB, Diesel | $32,460 |
| 2006 Dodge Sprinter Cargo 2500 140 WB 3dr Ext Van (2.7L 5cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | van, 2500 140 WB, Diesel | $30,585 |
| 2006 Dodge Sprinter Cargo 2500 118 WB 3dr Ext Van (2.7L 5cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | van, 2500 118 WB, Diesel | $34,775 |
| 2006 Dodge Sprinter 140 WB 3dr Ext Van (2.7L 5cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | van, 2500 140 WB, Diesel | $32,055 |
| 2006 Dodge Sprinter 118 WB 3dr Van (2.7L 5cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | van, 2500 118 WB, Diesel | N/A |
| 2006 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 ST 4dr Quad Cab SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6M) | truck, ST, Diesel | $36,590 |
| 2006 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 ST 4dr Quad Cab 4WD SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6M) | truck, ST, Diesel | $39,680 |
| 2006 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 SLT 4dr Quad Cab SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6M) | truck, SLT, Diesel | N/A |
| 2006 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 SLT 4dr Quad Cab 4WD SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6M) | truck, SLT, Diesel | $28,378 |
| 2006 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 SLT 4dr Mega Cab SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6M) | truck, SLT, Diesel | $35,420 |
| 2006 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 SLT 4dr Mega Cab 4WD SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6M) | truck, SLT, Diesel | $21,605 |
| 2006 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 Laramie 4dr Quad Cab SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6M) | truck, Laramie, Diesel | $21,555 |
| 2006 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 Laramie 4dr Quad Cab 4WD SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6M) | truck, Laramie, Diesel | $44,805 |
| 2006 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 Laramie 4dr Mega Cab SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6M) | truck, Laramie, Diesel | N/A |
| 2006 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 Laramie 4dr Mega Cab 4WD SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6M) | truck, Laramie, Diesel | $19,580 |
| 2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI Fwd 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | wagon, GLS TDI, Diesel | $24,975 |
| 2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | sedan, GLS TDI, Diesel | $27,275 |
| 2005 Volkswagen Passat GL TDI Fwd 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | wagon, GL TDI, Diesel | $33,033 |
| 2005 Volkswagen Passat GL TDI Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | sedan, GL TDI, Diesel | $36,975 |
| 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS TDI 2dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M) | hatchback, GLS TDI, Gas, Diesel | $20,140 |
| 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M) | hatchback, GLS, Gas, Diesel | $20,335 |
| 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 1.8T 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M) | hatchback, GLS 1.8T, Diesel, Gas | $21,360 |
| 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle GL 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M) | hatchback, GL, Gas, Diesel | $21,005 |
| 2005 Volkswagen Jetta New Value Edition 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 5M) | sedan, Value Edition, Gas, Diesel | $16,445 |
| 2005 Volkswagen Jetta New TDI 4dr Sedan (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M) | sedan, TDI, Diesel, Gas | $27,620 |
| 2005 Volkswagen Jetta New 2.5 PZEV 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 5M) | sedan, 2.5 PZEV, Gas, Diesel | $18,065 |
| 2005 Volkswagen Jetta New 2.5 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 5M) | sedan, 2.5, Diesel, Gas | $19,385 |
| 2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI 4dr Wagon (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M) | wagon, GLS TDI, Diesel, Gas | $20,195 |
| 2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI 4dr Sedan (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M) | sedan, GLS TDI, Diesel | $32,137 |
| 2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS PZEV 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M) | sedan, GLS PZEV, Gas, Diesel | $20,545 |
| 2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M) | sedan, GLS, Gas, Diesel | $24,085 |
| 2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8T 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M) | wagon, GLS 1.8T, Gas, Diesel | $24,475 |
| 2005 Volkswagen Jetta GL TDI 4dr Wagon (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M) | wagon, GL TDI, Gas, Diesel | $38,815 |
| 2005 Volkswagen Jetta GL PZEV 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M) | sedan, GL PZEV, Diesel, Gas | $20,335 |
| 2005 Volkswagen Golf GLS TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M) | hatchback, GLS TDI, Gas, Diesel | $22,815 |
| 2005 Volkswagen Golf GLS 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M) | hatchback, GLS, Diesel, Gas | $22,355 |
| 2005 Volkswagen Golf GL TDI 4dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M) | hatchback, GL TDI, Gas, Diesel | $20,625 |
| 2005 Volkswagen Golf GL 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M) | hatchback, GL, Gas, Diesel | $19,005 |
| 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E320 Rwd CDI 4dr Sedan (3.2L 6cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | sedan, E320 CDI, Diesel | $39,120 |
| 2005 Jeep Liberty Sport Rwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 6M) | SUV, Sport, Diesel, Gas | $17,185 |
| 2005 Jeep Liberty Sport 4WD 4dr SUV (2.8L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | SUV, Sport, Diesel | $34,921 |
| 2005 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Rwd 4dr SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A) | SUV, Rocky Mountain, Gas, Diesel | N/A |
| 2005 Jeep Liberty Renegade Rwd 4dr SUV (3.7L 6cyl 6M) | SUV, Renegade, Diesel, Gas | N/A |
| 2005 Jeep Liberty Limited Rwd 4dr SUV (3.7L 6cyl 4A) | SUV, Limited, Gas, Diesel | $18,295 |
| 2005 Jeep Liberty Limited 4WD 4dr SUV (2.8L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | SUV, Limited, Diesel | $51,050 |
| 2005 Dodge Sprinter Cargo 3500 High Roof 158 WB 3dr Ext Van DRW (2.7L 5cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | van, 3500 High Roof 158 WB, Diesel | $31,326 |
| 2005 Dodge Sprinter Cargo 3500 High Roof 140 WB 3dr Ext Van DRW (2.7L 5cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | van, 3500 High Roof 140 WB, Diesel | N/A |
| 2005 Dodge Sprinter Cargo 3500 140 WB 3dr Ext Van DRW (2.7L 5cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | van, 3500 140 WB, Diesel | $39,710 |
| 2005 Dodge Sprinter Cargo 2500 High Roof 158 WB 3dr Ext Van (2.7L 5cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | van, 2500 High Roof 158 WB, Diesel | $23,975 |
| 2005 Dodge Sprinter Cargo 2500 High Roof 140 WB 3dr Ext Van (2.7L 5cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | van, 2500 High Roof 140 WB, Diesel | $30,212 |
| 2005 Dodge Sprinter Cargo 2500 High Roof 118 WB 3dr Van (2.7L 5cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | van, 2500 High Roof 118 WB, Diesel | $31,723 |
| 2005 Dodge Sprinter Cargo 2500 140 WB 3dr Ext Van (2.7L 5cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | van, 2500 140 WB, Diesel | $33,991 |
| 2005 Dodge Sprinter Cargo 2500 118 WB 3dr Van (2.7L 5cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | van, 2500 118 WB, Diesel | $30,103 |
| 2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 High Roof 158 WB 3dr Ext Van (2.7L 5cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | van, 2500 High Roof 158 WB, Diesel | $31,946 |
| 2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 High Roof 140 WB 3dr Ext Van (2.7L 5cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | van, 2500 High Roof 140 WB, Diesel | $36,047 |
| 2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 High Roof 118 WB 3dr Van (2.7L 5cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | van, 2500 High Roof 118 WB, Diesel | $33,800 |
| 2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 140 WB 3dr Ext Van (2.7L 5cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | van, 2500 140 WB, Diesel | $51,070 |
| 2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 118 WB 3dr Van (2.7L 5cyl Turbodiesel 5A) | van, 2500 118 WB, Diesel | $42,710 |
| 2005 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 4dr Quad Cab ST Rwd SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6M) | truck, ST, Diesel | $40,065 |
| 2005 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 4dr Quad Cab ST 4WD SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6M) | truck, ST, Diesel | $18,390 |
| 2005 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 4dr Quad Cab SLT Rwd SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6M) | truck, SLT, Diesel | $22,680 |
| 2005 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 4dr Quad Cab SLT 4WD SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6M) | truck, SLT, Diesel | $25,390 |
| 2005 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 4dr Quad Cab Laramie Rwd SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6M) | truck, Laramie, Diesel | $22,925 |
| 2005 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 4dr Quad Cab Laramie 4WD SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6M) | truck, Laramie, Diesel | $39,490 |
Vegetable Oil Fuel is Illegal
A few things to consider before installing your own vegetable oil conversion kit:
According the Environmental Protection Agency (the EPA) operating a vehicle with a non-approved fuel delivery system is a violation of Federal regulations. Although the EPA has never prosecuted anyone for operating a vehicle powered by vegetable oil, the regulations in 40CFR state that alternative fuel systems must be approved by the EPA in passenger cars and light trucks before they can be used on-road.
In addition, before installing a veggie fuel conversion kit, consider that alternatively fueled vehicles are subject to state emission requirements as well as Federal regulations which may prohibit the use of vegetable oil as a fuel source. California residents should take extra precautions as their laws are the most stringent.
A primary consideration for the EPA in aftermarket alternative fuel conversions is that they must not interfere with existing OBD II systems on a vehicle.
OBD II systems are required to monitor
- Engine misfires
- Oxygen sensors
- Evaporative leaks
- Other emission-related power train components that might impact emissions
Biodiesel (also known as B100, B20, etc.), as opposed to pure vegetable oil, is approved for use in motor vehicles by the EPA. It seems the sticking point for pure vegetable oil is the delivery system, simply because no one has applied for and been approved to sell a secondary fuel source conversion kit for vegetable oil.
Bulk Vegetable Oil
Lots of people are coming to this site looking for bulk vegetable oil. For some reason, “bulk vegetable oil†is coming up as a search term based on the article I wrote about entitled How Much Does Vegetable Oil Weigh?. Since that’s the case, I thought I would take a moment to list some of the consumer resources in my area where I can purchase bulk vegetable oil in large enough and economical enough quantities to fuel a vehicle. Here are the top bulk vegetable oil resources I’ve come across:
Distributors
These vary by region. I’m not having much luck finding a distributor that will sell anything less than a truckload of bulk veggie oil. For your area, you may want to check your local yellow pages or the internet to see what you come up with. There’s also a great resource on the internet that will put you in touch with potential suppliers at http://www.bulkoil.com/.
Warehouse Stores
Warehouse stores are quickly becoming one my favorites because they’re cheaper than the grocery store, don’t ask questions, and carry quantities that are designed for commercial use. I have both a Costco and a Sam’s Club near my house and both have a reasonable selection of bulk vegetable oil either by the gallon or the pound depending on what you’re buying.
Grocery Stores
These are the least economical, but are also the most prevalent. Wal-Mart is at the top of the grocery store list for their store-brand vegetable oil, but you can get something similar from the local Albertsons, Kroger, Sack N’ Save, etc. Aside from the price, you can also expect some awkward stares and a conversation with the checkout girl about how your car runs on bulk vegetable oil. Whether that’s good or bad is up to you.
Biodiesel and Vegetable Oil are Safer than Gasoline
My wife and I were discussing the DieselEarth project earlier today with our one year old baby girl in the car. I asked her to give me a topic for today’s post and she recommended safety. After all, isn’t vegetable oil is safer than gasoline? She’s always been the smart one, so I put aside my preconceived notions and investigated the idea that diesel fuel in general and in particular using vegetable oil or biodiesel in a diesel engine is safer than gasoline.
Here are some important definitions:
Flash point: Tthe temperature at which a liquid vaporizes. Flammable liquids do not burn directly – the resulting flame comes from the vapor gas produced by the liquid. When a fuel source reaches its flash point it produces flammable vapor and has the potential to ignite given the proper conditions. This sounded weird to me because I always assumed that it was the liquid itself that was burning and gasoline, for example, would burn under any conditions. According to the chart below gasoline would be unable to ignite at temperatures below -40°C/-40°F. Please comment below if I’m incorrect on this – I’m not pretending to be a chemist :).
Ignition Temperature: The minimum temperature required for material to burn or explode. When a fuel source reaches its ignition temperature, it will ignite. Note that gasoline will ignite at 495°F. I live in Texas and I can vouch for the remarkable temperatures achieved in storage sheds, radiated by outdoor metal objects, etc. One of my mother’s friends recently received a serious burn after leaning her bare arm against the black metal aluminum screen door to her house. If you don’t believe gasoline can ignite under the normal conditions of a summer day, come visit me in Texas in July. It’s a bright 102°F today and expected to get hotter.
The results
To address the potential danger of one fuel source over another, we must first find their respective flash points and ignition temperatures. Fuels with a higher flashpoint will be considered safer because they will remain inert at lower temperatures and will need more heat to become gaseus and flammable. At the same time, fuels with higher ignition temperatures will be less apt to combust and cause a potentially dangerous situation. Remember, all three of the fuels tested will power an automobile with relatively the same efficiency.
| Material | Flashpoint | Flashpoint | Ignition Point | Ignition Point |
| Gasoline | -40 to -60°C | -40 to -76°F | 257°C | 495°F |
| Petro Diesel | 60 to 80°C | 140 to 176°F | 494°C | 921°F |
| Biodiesel | 100 to 170°C | 212 to 338°F | N/A | N/A |
| Vegetable Oil | 315°C | 600°F | N/A | N/A |
*Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find the ignition point of either biodiesel or vegetable oil. After observing a direct relationship between flashpoint temperature and the ignition point, I’m fairly comfortable in assuming that biodiesel and vegetable oil would have ignition points reflective of their flash points. Again, I have no research to confirm this but I feel it’s a reasonable observation. Please let me know if you have any numbers to lend to the theory.
Alternative Fuels No Longer Alternative
So, I’ve been noticing an upward trend in the number of articles related to alternative fuels lately. I’m picking up on bits and pieces of information from everyday conversation, from the TV, the radio, internet etc. Maybe it’s because I now run an alternative fuels blog and am establishing myself as an authority on the subject and have become hyper-aware of the subject matter around me. There might be some truth in that, but I think it’s more likely that momentum on the topic is building (which is why I started this blog in the first place). What tipped the scale for me just recently is my new obsession with social networking sites like digg.com where users vote the most interesting/informative sites to the top of the list. Lately I’ve seen a definite upswing in the number of alternative fuel articles at the top of the charts which for me says to watch for the trend.
For example: Right now, digg.com is showing 3 of 7 articles under the Science|Environment section that directly relate to alternative fuels sources for vehicles. I also particularly like the 7th result which is an article about the rising popularity of environmentalism ;)
I highly recommend sites like digg, not only because of the neat articles and resources they make available to you, but also to increase your general awareness of emerging trends like this one for biofuel. Use it to pick stocks, buy real estate, whatever.
I really feel like something is on the horizon here. Not to metion that the National Fuel Index has diesel pegged at a solid $2.90/gallon (and if you read my earlier post on the weight and cost of vegetable oil you’ll remember that I predicted $3/gallon gasoline within the year).
This week when you fill up, keep in mind that the cost of diesel vs. vegetable oil from your local grocery store start to come to a head right around the $3 to $4 mark and keep your ear to the ground for the eco-grumblings.
Will Vegetable Oil Hurt My Car?
Will vegetable oil hurt my car? This is the question that’s been plaguing me lately. If I drop a chunk of money on a diesel and run vegetable oil in it for six months, will it hurt the car or burn it to a crisp?
There’s really not enough long term data on this to draw a conclusion, but there are enough testimonials to make the experiment a reasonable risk. What I do know is that Rudolph Diesel (1858-1913) designed the engine initially to run off of peanut oil and actually exhibited it in France that way in 1898. The beauty of the diesel engine is in it’s simplicity and its robustness (if that’s a word). Ask anyone working in the engine room of a Naval diesel powered destroyer and they’ll tell you the random sludge that their engines can run off of.
Whether today’s automobile engines are as hardy as the 1898 or Navy models remains to be seen. A search on the internet turns up diesel car owners running on pure vegetable (not biodiesel) oil for one, two, five, and ten years. Some using it in farm equipment, buses, cars, etc. New cars like the stately E320 CDI from Mercedes may have more delicate components, but their fortitude is largely unknown because very few people want to test out fuel alternatives on thei $50,000+ pimp ride. We can find a reasonable enough string of older model Mercedes and truck owners to make the test worthwhile (hence the blog).
Some diesel owners claim that vegetable oil actually acts as an aggressive cleaner, scrubbing engine deposits and buildup from the engine. This also necessitates the need for non-rubber fuel lines as the organic ones are likely to disintegrate over time. Frankly, I’m not sure if an “aggressive cleaner” is better for the engine than the build up of oil.
For my money, here’s what I’m sticking to:
- A non-computerized fuel injection system
- Heated fuel lines and holding tank/switchover system to alternate diesel and vegetable oil,
- Clean, new vegetable oil and not the used stuff from restaurants,
- A car with a history of success on vegetable oil.
Demand for Older Mercedes on the Rise
Something I’ve been dealing with as I car shop is the rising demad for older model Mercedes (the ones that run well on biodiesel and vegetable oil). It looks like the Herald Sun came to the same conclusion with their article Biodiesel fuels demand for older Mercedes diesels.
This just about says it all:
“The cars are all being bought locally and resold locally,” said Meinhold, owner of Euro-Spec Automotive Service Center Inc. in Fletcher. “But the people that are buying them are using biodiesel. The people who are selling them were not.”
This is further reinforced by the fact that there is only one Mercedes for sale on ebay within a 200 mile radius of my zip code! I’m thinking I better act on this pretty quick. With fuel prices climbing toward $3.00 in Texas, vegetable oil from the store is going to have a very competitive price tag soon. I’m on the lookout for a jump to over $3 by the end of July (and maybe for a time following the long Fourth of July weekend).
Check out prices in your part of the country with the national fuel index.
How much does vegetable oil weigh?
I’ve gotten a lot of questions regarding the weight and cost for vegetable oil, (particularly bulk vegetable oil), corn oil, and the like, so I’ve decided to put a little more effort into the research and firm up the numbers. In order to get the widest range of subject matter, I took a trip to my local Wal-Mart to take some measurements.
This post details the price and weight by volume of bulk vegetable and corn oil (our primary subject matter) as well as the price and weight by volume of motor oil and gasoline.
Since I’m taking all of the measurements in-store I don’t have the benefit of being able to measure the liquid by itself, or to weigh the empty containers for reference. Instead these numbers are intended to give veggie-oil fuel enthusiasts a ballpark figure for purchasing fuel from their local superstore.
The first stop on the tour was the sporting goods section where I picked up a five pound weight and a 25 pound fish scale. I used the weight to calibrate both the produce scale and fish scale before taking any measurements. Thanks to Emma for helping out!
With tools in hand I headed over to the automotive section to pick up a little motor oil and a one gallon gas can. I grabbed a one quart bottle of Havoline 5W30 and a five quart jug of the same.
| Havoline 5W30 | 1 quart | $1.97/unit | $7.88/gallon |
| Havoline 5W30 | 5 quart | $8.95/unit | $7.15/gallon |
After that, I moved to the food section of the store and picked out a one gallon jug of Great Value brand vegetable oil and a 1 gallon container of corn oil.
| Bulk Vegetable Oil | 1 gallon | $4.57/unit | $4.57/gallon |
| Bulk Corn Oil | 1 gallon | $4.96/unit | $4.96/gallon |
| CWP Veggie Oil | 48oz | $1.68/unit | $4.48/gallon |
| Crisco Canola Oil | 48oz | $1.84/unit | $4.91/gallon |
All of these I took over to the produce section and weighed them individually – again using the 5 lb. weight to ensure the scales were accurate.
| Products | Amount | Total | Ounces | Weight of a gallon |
| Vegetable Oil | 1 gallon | 8 pounds | 128 ounces | 8lbs |
| Corn Oil | 1 gallon | 8 pounds | 128 ounces | 8lbs |
| Motor Oil | 5 quarts | 9 pounds, 7 ounces | 151 ounces | 7.55lbs |
| Motor Oil | 1 quart | 1 pound, 15 ounces | 31 ounces | 7.75lbs |
After leaving Walmart I went to their gas station with my 1 gallon gas can. Using the fish scale, I was able to measure the gas can both empty and full.
| Empty Gas Can | 13 oz |
| Gas Can with 1.046 gallons | 7 lbs, 3 oz (115 ounces) |
| One Gallon of Gas weighs | 6.10 pounds (97.52 ounces) |
The results of this experiment were very interesting. I was surprised to learn that a gallon of gas weighs so much less than a gallon of vegetable or corn oil.
Donations
DieselEarth.com is seeking donations of used or new diesel vehicles that can be converted to run on vegetable oil. We want to make the needed modifications, drive it daily, and write about the experience to promote the use of alternative fuels.
If you have a vehicle or other resource you would like to donate in exchange for a little free advertising and the opportunity to save the planet, please contact us for sponsorship information.