Loss of power on Veg

[sean]

Hey everyone,
Went down to Vic this weekend and whenever I had to climb even a slight hill I lost all power. So I would switch to diesel and then once at the top switch back with no problems. Thinking I need to change the filter. Lack of pressure building up because filter is not allowing veg oil through at a fast enough rate?
Any thoughts
Sean

[Adam]

Sounds reasonable to me. I had the same issue and it progressively got worse until I cleaned out the plastic fillings that had clogged my aux fuel pump intake filter. Of course before I did that I changed th Veg Max filter a few times. Luckily I saved the filters as I couldn't believe they were clogged after 1000km. I'll put one back on once the current filter that's been on for 2,500km clogs.

How small are you filtering, and how long do you think that current filter has been on there?

[sean]

Hi Adam,
As you know we let it settle for 2 weeks, filter to 10 micron and then another week of settling. The onboard is to 5 micron.
I have driven over 5000km on veg so far. Our oil is very very clean. No water. So chamging the filter seems logical. Doesn't hurt to do it. If problem persists, then I will begin trouble shooting.
One thing I wanted to mention was when I looked at the VegMax body, it has a white hard but powdery coating running down it. What do you think that is? I have been racking my brain. If there was a coolant leak, would it react with the oil or Veg Max housing material? I will take a pic and post it. I am contemplating protecting it some how or moving it to a less exposed location.
Sean

[sean]

Started to change the filter tonight so I opened up the valve on the veg max to drain it. Put an large yoghurt under it, came out 15 minutes later and it was full. Poured it into the tank and continued to drain....3 buckets later I thought there is no way that amount of veg is in the filter and lines that may slope towards the filter. I then did a little test and realized that opening the valve created suction and I was draining the tank . So I will let my wife use what is left tomorrow and there will not be much to drain.
Any one else have this come up? Thinking I should install shut off valve so when doing a filter change I don't have to be near empty or drain the tank.

[Adam]

Never had this issue. I have an aux. fuel pump between the filter and the WVO tank so maybe that helps block the siphoning effect when I open the drain value on th VegMax.

[sean]

I bet that pump has a little check valve in it. Most have some sort of back flow protection.

[EricN]

Next time open up the filler and leave it open, then do the drain valve.
Did you ever reply to where you can buy new oil so cheap??

[sean]

Here is a pic of the residue on my veg max...I scraped it off somewhat but it is on there. Could either be hardened veg oil, coolant or ?? not much else is down there.
Filter change went well. I would love to cut open the old to see how much it picked up. Hoping this resolves the power issue.

As for the Canola Oil, at Superstore I found it a month ago for 18.99 for the 16L. Not sure now though. Sounds like a price jump recently. I will check out the superstore next time I am over that way. It could have been a special.

[Adam]

Ohh, that looks pretty ugly. It's not anything leaking from the battery is it? It doesn't look like oil to me, coolant would be my guess if it's nothing to do with the battery, but I would think to get that much residue you'd have to have a pretty serious coolant leak.

$18.99 per cube is a great price, I was at Costco last week and they are $25.99 per cube now.

[EricN]

Hard to tell but honestly, I think that is from your battery. Coolant does make a white powder but usually with a green tinge to it. I also noticed my vegmax appears to leak at the weld too (extremely minor) but it looks nothing like that.
I would take a look at and around your battery, see if you see the same up top.

[PcSpecialist]

Looks like some sort of electrolysis like on the back of a boat if the zincs wear out. Caused by different metals in contact with each other creating a battery effect, but usually in salt water...

[sean]

PC Specialist wrote:
Looks like some sort of electrolysis like on the back of a boat if the zincs wear out. Caused by different metals in contact with each other creating a battery effect, but usually in salt water...

That is an interesting thought...I haven't had a chance to look at the battery but both are brand new and there is no other white build up in the underbody.
I have brass insert x mipt that came with the kit. I wonder if Plantdrive has seen this residue before. Tonight I will check the battery from the engine compartment.

[sean]

So the batteries are not leaking but I noticed my coolant reservoir was low. Realizing where the over flow tube goes I would have to say that coolant ran down under the batteries, following the slope of the wheel well to the Veg Max. It must have dripped on the hot filter. Not sure the chemical reaction that is taking place with the coolant but seems to the most plausible.

[PcSpecialist]

Ah HA! That would answer the question about electrolysis usually needing salt water or some like fluid to occur. Wire brush it to clean it up, stop the leak and hopefully you will be ok from now on.

[sean]

Last couple days have been able to push the engine a bit running veg. No power loss . So that is a good indicator that the filter is finished.