Whenever we talk about biodiesel we refer to the process of converting used vegetable oil into an alternative fuel called biodiesel (or biodiesel conversion) which is then poured into tanks of unmodified diesel instead of petroleum-based diesel. There is, however, another practice that comes to mind every time the term “biodiesel” appears. This phenomenon involves converting the engine instead of the oil, modifying a normal diesel engine so that it can run on unmodified residual vegetable oil (grease, grease, lard, etc.), essentially making it a “biodiesel engine” .

Hence, the now famous and aptly named Grease Car. With the grease car being one shining example of many, the conversion of the engine to biodiesel is gaining wide appeal and it’s no wonder – imagine pulling up behind McDonald’s and getting all the free fuel you can carry! It is true. Restaurants have to pay for waste vegetable oil to be disposed of. People who need to fuel a biodiesel engine are doing them a favor: they get it for free.

Many fast food restaurants, in fact, prefer that you build committed relationships with them, coming in regularly to pick up a consistent amount. That way, they can adjust their contract with their waste disposal provider accordingly.

A New York City man has driven more than 3,000 miles in his modified 1985 Mercedes van powered by a biodiesel engine with free frying oil he gets from the corner deli.

Converting to biodiesel appeals to many because it is a one-time process, whereas converting to biodiesel has to be done every time the tank runs low. However, with the burgeoning rise of biodiesel filling stations across the country, that advantage won’t weigh so heavily for long.

If you are interested in owning a biodiesel engine of your own, you can purchase packaged biodiesel engine conversion kits to assist you. These conversion kits come with full instructions and all the equipment needed to modify any diesel-powered car to run on pure waste vegetable oil.

You can even purchase a heavier-duty biodiesel engine conversion kit built especially for heavy-duty trucks.

Once a standard diesel engine is converted to a biodiesel engine, they can it still runs on regular petroleum-based diesel (which is a very good thing – imagine being stranded at a gas station because there is no vegetable oil in sight!)

Used vegetable oil in a converted biodiesel engine must first be filtered to avoid clogging the fuel lines. It is recommended, in fact, to filter it more than once, through increasingly smaller mesh filters (measured in “microns”, the finer the mesh the smaller the number of microns). You can find different size filters at most auto supply stores.

Now, there are many among us who, well aware of our own mechanical limitations, would not want to risk “tinkering” with our cars in such a way, and most of the biodiesel information on this website will be directed primarily at these people, with such information as where to buy biodiesel fuel and how to make your own biodiesel conversion. However, if you feel up to converting your diesel engine to a “biodiesel engine”, more power to you. Get yourself a complete kit or book on the subject and then be on your way. And whichever route you choose, we wish you the happiest of journeys!