Empty or Near Empty WVO Tank

[Early99f250]

Because currently my oil is stored in a friend's garage I have been running the tank as low on oil as I can before I go fill up so I am not having to swing by his house so often (it is out of my way somewhat). I have never run the tank completely dry but do get to an inch or so of WVO left. Now I am wondering if I should be filling up sooner. Is there any issue with running an empty WVO (other than having to burn dino fuel ) with regard to the coolant lines being exposed to air. I am thinking not but don't really know so I thought I would ask.

Guy

[Clay]

If your pickup tube is like the one i had - ridgid white plastic tube - its short enough that you can't completely empty the tank. I replaced this tube with a different one that will allow me to use more of the oil before it sucks air. There will still be an inch or so of oil when you start sucking air and the V3 shuts off.
Not an issue.

[Early99f250]

Thanks Clay.

Now that I have thought some more I realize that the coolant lines feed from the top so except when the tank is completely full they are exposed somewhat. Obviously no problem then.

[skyskijason]

I agree w/Clay. I'd also like to add its probably not a good idea to drive around for long w/o using VO - unless you have a way to turn off the heat. Ya really don't want to 'cook' the VO in your system.

[Clay]

I agree w/Clay. I'd also like to add its probably not a good idea to drive around for long w/o using VO - unless you have a way to turn off the heat. Ya really don't want to 'cook' the VO in your system.

If your empty and worried about it, put a few gallons of diesel in it and leave that there untill you can fill it with VO.

I have considered putting a cutoff valve in that collant line but i decided it would be easier t o make sure my tank gets filled regularly

[skyskijason]

If your empty and worried about it, put a few gallons of diesel in it and leave that there untill you can fill it with VO.

That may be worse if its still being heated!

I have considered putting a cutoff valve in that collant line but i decided it would be easier t o make sure my tank gets filled regularly

Cheaper too!

I think its a good idea. I just used rigid 1/2" copper tubing and sweat 1/4 turn valves. I cut a coupling in half and sweated to end of tubing for a barb-effect, but I don't think its necessary.

I have a valve on heater core as well. I turn that sucker OFF in summer for much cooler A/C, and only crack it open for winter - giving the VO loop more volume!

[HORSEMOVER]

That may be worse if its still being heated!

What would be the issue with this?

[skyskijason]

What would be the issue with this?

- not good for injectors, diesel loses its lubricity when hot
- hot diesel vapors ARE flammable (flash point as low as 125*) - The V3 itself hits 180* in a very short amount of time.

[Clay]

- not good for injectors, diesel loses its lubricity when hot
- hot diesel vapors ARE flammable (flash point as low as 125*) - The V3 itself hits 180* in a very short amount of time.

Diesel has no lubricicity to begin with...lol.
Diesel fuel gets pretty dog gone hot in the rails - way over 180* i would suspect so i don't think its going to be an issue heating it in the tank. Our tanks all contain diesel anyway.

[lancaster,pa]

Just wondering - If you run out of veg and don't notice that the green light went out when the system switches to diesel, could the V3 pump be damaged since it keeps running even after the switch. - Patrick

[Clay]

Just wondering - If you run out of veg and don't notice that the green light went out when the system switches to diesel, could the V3 pump be damaged since it keeps running even after the switch. - Patrick

Thats a good question...i don't thin kits advisable to run any pump dry for a any length of time. I wouldn't run it dry i don't think...keep your vegi tank full and you won't have to worry about it

[lancaster,pa]

If your empty and worried about it, put a few gallons of diesel in it and leave that there untill you can fill it with VO.

I have considered putting a cutoff valve in that collant line but i decided it would be easier t o make sure my tank gets filled regularly

Clay,

My system is down re a pump issue. Even though I have the system off and have taken veg out of the tank so it doesn't get cooked, your post got me to thinking about the veg in the V3 itself getting fried. Should I think about doing something there until my system is back up (don't have any cut-off valve in the cooling system anywhere)? - Patrick

[Clay]

Clay,

My system is down re a pump issue. Even though I have the system off and have taken veg out of the tank so it doesn't get cooked, your post got me to thinking about the veg in the V3 itself getting fried. Should I think about doing something there until my system is back up (don't have any cut-off valve in the cooling system anywhere)? - Patrick

I really don't think theres any reason for concern. They cook with this oil at 350* for a week straight before you get it, why would heating it to 180 for extended periods of time hurt it?
I may be wrong but I wouldn't loose any sleep over that.

[Jack_Toepfer]

The thing I hate about the tank getting below 1/2 is the sloshing I encounter. There are times I'll hit a turn with 1/2 a tank and the pickup goes dry and the kit shuts off. Of course, once things settle it goes back on the oil, but it is very annoying. I'm going to make a conscious effort to keep it at or above 1/2 but then I'm going to be heating more oil than I will use at any given time.

[lancaster,pa]

Clay,

Thanks for both replies. Appreciate the help. - Patrick