New WVO Convert, EDC Warning Light and power loss - Road Trip London2Vietnam

[Andy at Focallocal]

Hi, i just finished a 2 tank WVO (Waste Veg Oil) convertion on my '02 Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI LWB and am attempting to drive it from London to Vietnam spreading awareness of my project (Focallocal) to create connection in local communities and spread a wave of happiness everywhere.

The van ran beautifully for around 150km, then it lost power for around 1 sec and the EDC and Fuel Filter Contaminated lights both came on. I switched back immediately, but tried again later this time getting around 50km before the same happened again.

I'm wondering what you guys make of this issue? the van (Connie) was most definitely not looked after well before i bought it and i've done a lot of work already tidying it up, but so far it has seemed to be in excellent mechanical condition - but i havent changed the filter, and i doubt its been changed for many years.

The oil i collect i filter once to 20microns, then again to 5microns. In the engine it runs through another 5 micron filter and then through the mercedes original filter. the oil runs through 2 heat exchangers and is very hot when it reaches the injectors. The line to the WVO tank is very long and i worry the engines stock pump might be struggling with it - but it didnt seem to be an issue while i was driving.

i'm not terrible at mechanical stuff but not great either and i'd love your thoughts.

Kind wishes,
Andy :0)

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Focallocal.org: an idea to spread a wave of local connection and happinesss around the World. please join in!

[2000mc]

Originally Posted by Andy at Focallocal

the van (Connie) was most definitely not looked after well before i bought it and i've done a lot of work already tidying it up, but so far it has seemed to be in excellent mechanical condition - but i havent changed the filter, and i doubt its been changed for many years.

Sounds like you're overdue for a filter as it is

[Andy at Focallocal]

thanks. i changed the filter and it fixed the issue, although i'm going to add a lift pump anyway to support things.

have a new issue now. since changing to Wvo my van is getting harder to start each morning, does anyone have any ideas what might cause this? i have a 2 tank system, starting and stopping on diesel. one thought is that i havent added a lift pump yet, which shouldnt effect the diesel tank at all - unless it means that i have damaged the main pump by overworking it. aside from that nothing has changed that i can see having any effect on the van, unless the injectors are becoming clogged!? before converting it would always start 1st key turn.

[oil pan 4]

When you switch from diesel to WVO there is always some cross over between systems.
As little as 5-10% WVO can mess with starts on cool mornings.

[Andy at Focallocal]

thanks, i'll try changing over for longer before i stop and see if that solves the problem

[oil pan 4]

Time of switch over doesn't matter, unless you are trying to burn more diesel and fill up the diesel tank with fresh pure diesel fuel before shut down.