Comments on: Greasecar Questions from the Mail Room http://greencouple.com/2009/07/02/greasecar-questions-from-the-mail-room/ Learning to live green and live together Sat, 07 Apr 2012 15:27:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Maggie http://greencouple.com/2009/07/02/greasecar-questions-from-the-mail-room/comment-page-1/#comment-11140 Maggie Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:35:53 +0000 http://greencouple.com/?p=639#comment-11140 Yeah, it's good to do an ROI analysis although I often jump into projects just because they sound cool. :) My main thought for a greasecar conversion is that it only makes sense if you have an old car, you drive a fair amount, and you're willing to put some work into it. I have some friends who drove a greasecar around the country for a few months and they felt like they definitely earned their money's worth. I think the big trick is being willing (and able) to do a lot of maintenance, tinkering, and grease filtering yourself. It does take more work than just pulling up at the nearest gas station. Yeah, it’s good to do an ROI analysis although I often jump into projects just because they sound cool. :) My main thought for a greasecar conversion is that it only makes sense if you have an old car, you drive a fair amount, and you’re willing to put some work into it. I have some friends who drove a greasecar around the country for a few months and they felt like they definitely earned their money’s worth. I think the big trick is being willing (and able) to do a lot of maintenance, tinkering, and grease filtering yourself. It does take more work than just pulling up at the nearest gas station.

]]> By: Carl Broady http://greencouple.com/2009/07/02/greasecar-questions-from-the-mail-room/comment-page-1/#comment-10928 Carl Broady Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:08:49 +0000 http://greencouple.com/?p=639#comment-10928 I would love to make or convert a car to run on used vegetable oil but I would have to look at the ROI, return on investment to see if I would ever recoup the cost of the conversion. I would love to make or convert a car to run on used vegetable oil but I would have to look at the ROI, return on investment to see if I would ever recoup the cost of the conversion.

]]> By: Andy http://greencouple.com/2009/07/02/greasecar-questions-from-the-mail-room/comment-page-1/#comment-6961 Andy Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:14:21 +0000 http://greencouple.com/?p=639#comment-6961 I've seen a variety of greasecars on both ends of the quality spectrum. One reeked of rotten onions from far away and was nearly black on the back end from whatever was burning out of their tailpipe. Another was a very clean VW that had a tank that fit in the spare wheel spot in the trunk so it was completely out of the way, although he said he spent several thousand on the kit. The one problem I've seen from most greasecar owners is that once they have the converted car, places to collect grease, and a filtering system, they tend to drive a lot more and be more connected to their car. I can imagine that it takes a lot of time to set up all those parts of the system. Then winter comes and they are burning more regular diesel again. I wonder if anyone has a grease-moped? I'm sure it must exist but I haven't seen a diesel engine that small yet. I’ve seen a variety of greasecars on both ends of the quality spectrum. One reeked of rotten onions from far away and was nearly black on the back end from whatever was burning out of their tailpipe. Another was a very clean VW that had a tank that fit in the spare wheel spot in the trunk so it was completely out of the way, although he said he spent several thousand on the kit.

The one problem I’ve seen from most greasecar owners is that once they have the converted car, places to collect grease, and a filtering system, they tend to drive a lot more and be more connected to their car. I can imagine that it takes a lot of time to set up all those parts of the system. Then winter comes and they are burning more regular diesel again.

I wonder if anyone has a grease-moped? I’m sure it must exist but I haven’t seen a diesel engine that small yet.

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