03.28.2005

Hi all,

I recently purchased a '79 Mercedes 300SD, and am in the process of converting all the rubber fuel lines to urethane (or something else reasonably compatible). Once completed, I'll try a B20 to B50 mixture for starters, and run B100 where my pocketbook allows. There's a lot of information out there for updating older vehicles to run biodiesel, but it's pretty scattered, so I will try to update this post as my process unfolds. If anyone has any questions or comments, feel free to email me at jeff.daugherty@aspentech.com.

Take care, Jeff.

03.30.2005

Latest update: purchased a new fuel hose kit for the car today from Grease Works in Corvallis (www.greaseworks.org). They sell Viton and urethane hose kits for most older diesel vehicles. Here's some information they sent me today:

"We have two B100 hose kits available for your 300SD at this time, Viton only, and Viton/Urethane combo (includes ~3' of Urethane hose, the rest in Viton). Both Viton and Urethane are biodiesel resistant with Viton being better suited for heat and Urethane being less expensive and a bit more durable/abrasion resistant.

Both kits include all of the fuel hoses from the tank to the engine and back that will degrade over time with B100 use. The kit also includes all the hose clamps necessary, and detailed instructions for doing the swap. The Viton only kit costs $95.50, and the Viton/Urethane kit $75, both prices include shipping/handling."

They accept payment by both Paypal and check.

Regards,

Jeff

05.25.2005

Sorry for the delay.

Latest update: the new Viton hose kit was installed over a period of a few weeks (as time permitted) and I've changed the canister and inline fuel filters. Next stop -- the pump.

Regards,

Jeff