Convert Your Diesel with a Professional System

Includes

Coolant Heated Core, welded only, no interior fittings to ensure reliability.
Sending Unit and Fuel Gauge, Vented Cap, Mounting Brackets or Hanging Tabs

SVO Conversion Manual
Printed Guide included with your Kit. German version available upon request

Finding & Filtering WVO for Fuel

Plus: DVD 'Veg My Ride'
Learn how to install a conversion kit step by step. Walks through the process of switching an 84 Mercedes Benz to straight vegetable oil, plus takes a look at other models, an introduction to filtration, and plenty of helpful tips and background.

FAQ
Frequently Answered Questions

How does an SVO Conversion Kit work?

Vegetable Oil is thicker than diesel fuel, so must be thinned to power a diesel engine. A SVO Conversion works by transferring heat - from the radiator system and electrically - to the vegetable oil to thin it properly. When the oil reaches an appropriate temperature then a fuel valve is activated to automatically switch fuels. The driver shuts down the vehicle on diesel fuel to do quick purge the lines; a buzzer will sound as a reminder. A properly heated system such as this will not create clogged injectors, loss of power, or other issues. It will feel like smooth driving, probably even more than usual because the engine is better lubricated.

Is this Biodiesel?

Not quite. SVO is Straight Vegetable Oil, without modification. Biodiesel is made by chemically treating straight vegetable oil. The difference in terms of operation: SVO requires a conversion to the vehicle, a secondary fuel system that prepares the oil by warming it. Biodiesel on the other hand can go directly into the main tank for most diesels. It costs about .75 per gallon to make (from used oil) and requires some comfort and care to mix chemicals.

Which Kit is Best for my Vehicle?

There are three types of kits with fuel lines and valves sized for that vehicle class. Go with the kit recommended for your vehicle class. There are seven tank sizes to choose from, depending on how much fuel you would like to be able to carry at one time and how much space you have to mount the tank.

Where do I find the vegetable oil?

Most customers choose to collect the used cooking oil from local restaurants. Ask first - the owners are usually more than happy to give it to you for free, as they typically have to pay to have it removed. Check out how to Find & Filter WVO for Fuel. Also find a full range of filtration equipment. Sometimes vegetable oil can be purchased economically from farmers, in bulk, or even at the pump in some areas. One can also choose to grow their own fuel - there are a variety of crops that will do the job. Use an oil press to process the oil.

Origin?

The Diesel engine was originally engineered to be fueled with vegetable oil. It was actually debuted to run on peanut oil at a world fair over 100 years ago. Listen to the inventor of the Diesel engine:

"the Diesel engine can be fed vegetable oils" which

"may become in the course of time as important as petroleum." 

Dr. Rudolf Diesel, 1912

Every Diesel engine?

The vast majority of diesels take very well to veg oil operation. Cars, trucks, generators, tractors, boats, industrial machinery, semi-trucks and more can all usually be converted. Suitable for pre-chamber and direct injection (TDI) with inline or distributor type injection pumps. (Munich Airport has converted their direct injection tractors to vegetable oil using this line of Conversion Kits.) Vehicles with Lucas/CAV injection pumps have a history of trouble running vegetable oil - make sure to use a powerful fuel pump or better yet choose a different vehicle to convert. Also the Bosch VP44-injection pump, Pumpe-Duese, and common-rail technology are more challenging installations and should only be taken on by mechanics who are deeply familiar with these vehicles and SVO conversion. View a list further down on this page with some vehicles that we are certain work well with this kit.

Will it work with gasoline engines?

Nope. Diesel engines work by compression in the engine, and under this pressure vegetable oil responds just like diesel fuel to power the engine. Gasoline engines instead use spark plugs to ignite the fuel. You may consider your next vehicle purchase to be a diesel. Diesel engines are superior to gasoline because of significantly longer life, lower maintenance costs, and better fuel efficiency. They also typically more powerful and haul weight much better.

Performance?

SVO operation will give you the same power & miles per gallon as normal, plus better lubrication for a smoother ride and longer engine life. Injectors will not "gum" or  "coke" with a properly heated SVO system such as this, and over 8,000 conversions with this technology strongly reinforces this statement.

Installation?

Do it yourself or choose a professional mechanic. The included SVO Conversion Manual is straight-forward for someone with basic auto mechanic skills and knowledge. Also a DVD called "Veg My Ride" is included that walks through the process of switching an 84 Mercedes Benz to straight vegetable oil, plus takes a look at other models, an introduction to filtration, and plenty of helpful tips and background. In a nutshell, the conversion requires locating and tapping into radiator and fuel lines, and drilling a few holes to mount the tank, heat exchanger, and valve. All electronics arrive to you mostly pre-wired and are relatively simple to connect, and all of the tools required are probably already on hand.

Startup/Shutdown on Diesel?

This is all about operating temperature. The vehicle starts on diesel fuel to warm the system to accept vegetable oil. If the vehicle is going to sit for longer than 1 hour when you shut down, it should be switched back over to diesel shortly before the end of the journey. In this system the quick purge flushes the fuel system and the injection pump shortly before shutdown, and a buzzer signal reminds you to use it.

Can a regular mechanic work on my vehicle?

Yes, mechanics will still be able to work on your vehicle. They may be a little confused at first, but this usually turns into fascination and excitement. Experienced mechanics should not need to know about your SVO system to work on the rest of your vehicle. And if you find a mechanic willing to learn and tinker around - he may be able to provide you with service for any SVO related issues.

Vehicle Warranty?

This system will actually be improving the performance and health of your engine. Warranty work from your dealership can only be denied to the vehicle if a mechanical problem can be directly proven to have resulted fro m your SVO modification. Ultimately warranty coverage for your vehicle may depend on the preferences of your warranty provider, so consult them for certainty. To be clear, Organic Mechanic offers no type of warranty for your vehicle. The Conversion Kit parts do carray a warranty for 1 year.

Is it Safe?

Vegetable Oil is actually a much safer fuel than both gasoline and diesel. When looking at the flash point -the temperature at which the liquid will ignite - diesel fuel is 143* F (62* C) and vegetable oil is 620* F (327* C). Not only is it less dangerous because it will not ignite easily, if vegetable oil is spilled on the ground, it is not poisonous to people, animals, or the environment. The Conversion Kit is engineered with high grade automotive parts, and has been thoroughly inspected and approved by TUV - the strict German standard for safe automotive application.

Other Costs?

You will have to change a fuel filter every few thousand miles, which are a few dollars at local auto parts stores. Also if you are gathering cooking oil you will need to use a filtration method for your oil. Finding good oil and using an inline filtration solution like the GreaseBeast will keep the cost to pocket change, 5-30 cents per gallon.

How many engines have been converted?

Since the year 2000 over 8,000 engines have been converted with these components.

* 4000 Cars / SUVs / Vans
* 3000 Trucks / Buses
* 900 Tractors / Agricultural machinery
* 100 Boats and Generators

Which engines have been successfully converted?

Near 99% of all diesel vehicles can be converted to run on vegetable oil and run very well. The engines that do not convert well are ones with weak injector pumps, such as Lucas/CAV and similar types of Rotary Pumps. You can find out more about your engine through your manufacturer, vehicle guide, or by contacting a friendly mechanic or parts shop. Here is a partial selection of engines that you are better off avoiding:

9.0 International (V8), 8.2 Detroit (V8), Dodge Cummins trucks from 98-2002 and Cummins 504/555.

Nearly all other engines can be converted. Here is a partial list of converted vehicles:

Cars / Suvs/ Vans

Audi; BMW; Chevrolet Blazer K5 V8; Citroen CX 25, Evasion, Jumper, Saxo, Xantia; Daihatsu Rocky; Fiat Doblo, Ducato, Fiorino, Scudo; Ford F250, 350, Escort, Fiesta, Focus, Focus Turnier, Mondeo, Ranger, Scorpio, Transit; Hyundai Gallopper; Isuzu Trooper; Iveco Daily; Jeep Grand Cherokee; Kia Carnival, Pregio, Retona; Land Rover Defender, Freelander, Range Rover; Mazda; Mercedes, A-Klasse, Sprinter, Vario, Vito; Mitsubishi Carisma, Pajero; Nissan Almera, Almera, King Cap, Patrol, Sunny, Terrano; Opel Astra, Combo 1.7 DI, Corsa, Frontera, Kadett, Omega, Vectra; Peugeot, Boxer, Expert; Renault Espace, Kangoo, Laguna, Master, Megane, Rapid, Safrane, Scenic; Seat Alhambra, Arosa, Ibiza, Inca; Skoda Fabia, Felicia, Octavia; Smart CDI, Ssangyong Musso, Toyota Avensis, Corolla, Land Cruiser, Hilux; Vauxhall Combo, Volkswagen, Volvo

Trucks / Buses

Dodge Cummins, DAF, MAN, Mercedes, Neoplan, Iveco, Ford, International, Renault, Scania, Setra, Volvo

Tractors / Agricultural Machinery

Case, Deutz-Fahr, Fendt, Fiat, IHC, JCB Fastrac, John Deere, Lamborghini, Massey Ferguson, MB-Trac, New Holland, Pasquali, Renault, Same, Steyr

Is the Conversion Permanent?

The vehicle can be returned to its original state, except for a few small holes where items were mounted. These can be patched if necessary - they are hardly noticeable. All of the components can be reused on another vehicle. Most of the time converted vehicles can be sold at a premium.

Can it still run on Diesel Fuel?

Yes! Since this is a dual tank system the original diesel fuel system is left fully intact. You are always free to run on diesel with a simple flip of a switch on the SVO Controller.

What about in a Cold Climate?

Straight vegetable oil becomes more viscous (thicker) at cooler temperatures. The heating devices in the system thin the oil and the vehicle will only switch over to vegetable oil operation when the correct temperature has been reached. So in colder environments this usually means more warmup driving before vegetable oil operation will occur. To expedite the warmup during winter months add a mixture of diesel fuel into your vegetable oil tank. This will greatly assist the oil in thinning, and is especially advised in extremely cold temperatures. Additional Biofuel Heaters can also be added for extra heat.

What if the Vegetable Oil is not Pre-Heated?

Vegetable oil which has not been heated leads to difficulties starting the engine and has negative effects on the performance and life cycle. Cold, viscous vegetable oil strains the injection system and burns incompletely. In the long term any unburnt fuel leads to deposits in the combustion chamber of the motor. This is why a properly heated system is so crucial to SVO operation.