With the popularity in alternative fuel such as waste vegetable oil conversion (WVO conversion), a lot of people wonder what vehicles will be suitable if they decide to convert. While there are diesel-powered vehicles in the U.S. and Canada, not all of these vehicles are suitable for conversion. The goal of this article is to help you know which vehicle models work well with waste vegetable oil.
Common Cars to Convert
Most common diesel cars are easiest to convert. For example, Volkswagen is ideal because of its long-lasting and reliable diesel engines. The earlier models of the Volkswagen are recommended for waste oil conversion. Furthermore, the Vanagon offered in 1982, makes it difficult to find and can even be expensive in preserved conditions. Quantum and Dasher models are not common but they are also perfect for WVO conversions. Some of the other models suitable for conversion include: 1977-1984 Rabbit and Jetta; 1984-1992 Golf, Jetta, Quantum, and Passat; 1996-1999 Golf, Jetta, Passat, and New Beetle; 2002-2003 Golf, Jetta, Passat, and New Bettle. Mercedes Benz cars are also renowned for their sturdy and robust diesel engines, along with quality manufacturing. The cars from Mercedes Benz are quite cheap and have wide availability for parts. Some Mercedes Benz models that still drive great on waste oil include the 1965-1968 200D; 1968-1973 220D; 1973-1983 240D; 1975-1985 300D, SD, TD, and SDL.
Common Trucks to Convert
Some of the common diesel trucks that make a perfect candidate for waste oil conversions are the Ford and Dodge models. Ford trucks may be available everywhere but it can be hard to find a particular one that is in good driving condition. Ford trucks can be very loud but not at all fast. The 1983-1994 6.9 L and 7.3 L in F250 and F350 trucks are best for waste oil engine. Dodge trucks are awesome. In fact, the 5.9L Cummins motor is the best in the U.S. known for almost a million mile motors because of their relative longevity, Dodge trucks are powerfully strong. Dodge models that are the equivalent of suitable Ford models are the 1989-1993 Cummins 5.9L, 12 valve, 1st Generation rotary injection pump and the 1994-1998 Cummins 5.9L, 12 valve, 2nd generation in-line injection pump.
Common Vehicles with Conversion Holdbacks
While there are vehicles that are perfectly suitable for a waste oil conversion, there are also those are not. Car or truck owners should be wary in deciding whether to convert their ride or not. Among these models include the Ford 1994-1997 Powerstroke 7.3 L and 1999-2003 Powerstroke 7.3 L due to fuel filter and fuel routing issues. The Chevy/GMC 1982-2000 6.2 L and 6.5 L are also unreliable because of the disastrous injection pumps.
Other Suitable Vehicles to Convert
Other cars that may show in your research are the 1976 and 1980 International Harvester Scout. Toyota 40 and 60 series land cruisers are equipped with diesel. There are even some owners who performed conversion as early as market introduction. The Isuzu Pickup trucks are also great for waste oil conversion along with the Land Rover but for the older series only. The early models of the Jeep Cherokees 2.1 L Renault diesel engine are great candidates as well. There are Mercedes Benz models, apart from the ones listed above, that perform great under waste oil engines. The Volvo is also a possible candidate if you happen to own one and plans to do a conversion. If you do want to convert your car, remember that vegetable oils have to be heated, otherwise difficulties may arise in starting the engine as well as a negative impact on the performance and life cycle of the engine. Cold vegetable oil is viscous and will strain the injection system. The unburnt fuel will then eventually be deposited in the motor’s combustion chamber. However, conversion kits are available remedy for diesel engines to treat vegetable oils.