Don’t Get Mad, Get Diesel Secret Energy
There are a number of headlines across the country regarding people up in arms with the price of gasoline, some taking it to the point of filling their tanks and then driving off without paying.
Where I agree that the dependency on foreign oil is and always has been crazy, making ourselves vulnerable to these oil rich nations, I always felt I had little knowledge on my own as to what to do about it. What puzzles me though is that even though *I* have little knowledge of cars and how to fuel them, there has to be a few out there with ideas for alternatives. Where the heck are they?
Recently, while speaking with Miranda, I was curious how she and Enric were coping with the prices of gas up there in Wisconsin (which are higher than here in Maryland).
She went on to tell me how there was a certain someone up there fueling his car with the left over french fry oil. Well that got my attention, and I started to do some investigating on the net.
Some of my finds of alternatives out there:
Diesel Secret
Bio Diesel Boards
Make your own biodiesel
Wikipedia on Biodiesel
Biodiesel NOW
Biodiesel Blog
Funny you should mention the prices in Wisconsin, as I live in Milwaukee. Milwaukee has the highest gas prices in the state, since we’re required to have this stupid “re-formulated” gas instead of regular. Just this week it hit $2.89 a gallon for a few days, then dropped to $2.79 and has stayed there since. Seriously, we can’t afford to keep buying gas like this… the cost of living is skyrocketing but wages aren’t anywhere near keeping up. “Despite the cost of living, it still remains popular.” Geez. This makes me glad I don’t have a car of my own at the moment.
I’ve been researching on the web about Diesel Secret
Energy, and am expecting my package from them on Monday
10/3. I’m hoping it may be a good solution… currently
in my town there is NO diesel available at any price!!
Does anyone you know use the system that DSE promotes?
Well I’m wondering how your faring with DSE? Email me and let me know. Thanx bob
Any feedback on DSE yet? After searching the web a fair amount, I
cannot find any feedback….positive or negative.
Harv
I added some links to the end of that particular blog.
Those forums are people who are actually TRYING and USING alternative
forms of fuel.
Once again, try these links
Â
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Biodiesel/message/12683
http://www.biodiesel.org/
I was just wondering how the DSE was working for Dave L on 10/02/05. Did Dave get it working?
Is there a big difference? Any comments will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
I was just wondering how the DSE worked out please someone email me
Ive been using DSE diesel for a few months now. I built the filtration system to there spects and I love it!!! i have not had any problems my jetta runs great and clean. the fuel filtration system is somewhat hard to build but I GOT THROUGH IT.
I was wondering if some one is useing DSE in a FORD 7.3 diesel. Any comments would be appreciated.
I like the rest of you want to hear from DSE users, and how long they have been using it. I have a 96 ford 7.3 powerstroke and want to run DSE.
I have a 90 7.3 diesel and I use this DSE stuff religously. I have used straight diesel one time only. This stuff is kinda messy, and you have to change your fuel filter a few times in the beginning, but it is WELL worth it.
We are using old cooking oil from restaurants, filtering it and then adding DieselSecretEnergys’ additive (1oz per 5 gal). The Surbarban runs great with it. There is not a diesel odor, common with the normal diesel fuels and it doesnt smoke like you see from regular diesel engines. One WARNING, DONT USE DIESEL SECRET ENERGY WITH THE NEWER DODGE TRUCKS OR ANY VEHICLE THAT HAS A PLASTIC GAS TANK!!! FOR SOME REASON, THE INSIDE OF THE PLASTIC GAS TANKS TURNS TO A TAR LIKE SUBSTANCE, AND THIS SLUDGE CLOGS THE FUEL LINES AND FILTERS. USE ONLY METAL TANK VEHICLES!!!!!!
I think it might be the DSE additive, but Im not certain. Otherwise our vehicle runs great on it.
Xialyne will melt plastic tanks.
I am planning to use DSE on my 1987 MB 6 cylinders Turbo diesel.
Does anybody know if it has a plastic or metal tank?
Has anybody used DSE?
Could you elaborate a little bit more on DSE?
Thanks….
hey bill mac how do you know dse fuel softens the tank i have plastic in my 2007gmc running dse since july no problens but i cant see inside my tank how can i tell?
I can’t find enough information regarding DSE and Bio fuel basics. Both companies claim the same results at comperable start up packages. It sounds too good to be true. I’d like to talk to some current users to see if this product is for real.
Could someone that has been using DSE for a whle please comment.I read in a forum that because it does no remove glycerin it can damage your engine after several months of use.I am really interested in it but we need more feedback.
I never tried DSE but I have used http://www.biofuelbasics.com with no problems. I have a new Ford F350 and use there product every day for two years, and had no problems.
I have been using both DSE and Bio Fuel Basics in my 97 Fleetwood Discovery RV with a Cummins B5.9 diesel engine for the past few months and have had only one problem. At temps below 30 degrees, the fuel will gell. But to correct the problem I added 4 gallons of kerosene and 4 gallons of diesel fuel and the problem cleared right up within minutes. I will tell everyone though you should build a heating drum to clean the waste oil before you mix it. I use a 55 gallon steel drum that has a 2000 watt hot water heater element installed into the side at the bottom. This is just connected with a pigtail and then plugs intot he wall (110 volts). This heats the oil up to 200 degrees. By doing this you evaporate any suspended water and it allows the sediments from the frying process to settle to the bottom of the barrel. Once this is done you let the oil cool down and then drain off the clean oil into a 5 gallon bucket. Then mix the other ingredients. Finally, pump the oil through a 5 micron filter and then through a water block filter ( just in case ). Remember this too….regular diesel is onlyu filtered to 15-20 microns. We are going down to 5 microns. It works fine.
As to the person who said something about the glycerin not being removeds from DSE fuel…..think about this….people who burn SVO OR staight vegetable oil do not have any problems with glycerin. So why would we. A friend of mine in NY has been using SVO for 2 years in his F-250 and has had no problems. Think about this…the temperatures in the cylinders of the diesel engine reach over 300 degrees. The glycerin is being burned in the chamber. As far as coking the injectors, if you useone of the many diesel fuel additives such as Diesel Kleen, this adds a cetane boost to the fuel and also has injector cleaners in it. The reason people are saying that these products are snake oil is the fact they don’t want people to use this simple method of making the biofuel. they would rahter you buy their systems and use dangerous chemicals. There is more involved than DSE and Biofuel Basics tell you, in making and gettting clean fuel. You just need to do the research so that you understand what you need to do and how to do it. If anyone needs honest advice and information on how to set up their station, just ask and I will help you.
hi rich, my husband just ordered the dse starter pack and i was wondering if you could email me your phone # @shopgrajoy@aol.com so he can call you for some info on this. you sound like you really know what you are talking about and we really need that right now!!!! thanks, joye
I have a dodge with a 5.9 Cummins. Will either DSE or BIO-Fuel Basics work for me. I have looked into making bio-diesel but it is to much cost for startup. I run my truck daily, and can not afford catastrophic failure with bad fuel and the domino effect.
Thanks for any info.
king_mr_k@yahoo.com
Also want to contact Rich re. setting up my dodge-to-be. Need help and advice on using DSE…contact please: coyotecall@spiritpath.net
Hi all…I just received my DSE order and, without having any WVO just yet, was anxious to try it using new soy oil. I’m on my second 5 gallons and it seems fine…the engine runs quieter and the smell of the exhaust is wonderful. I spent an hour at Lowes shopping for parts to build my filtration station. I tend to err on the side of caution so I’m going to add a small water heater inline to heat the WVO while filtering. I’m also going to filter the oil several times, for about an hour, to be sure all particles are removed.
By the way, I don;t think you should use a trash can as a tank. You should be able to find a nice heavy poly-drum at a car wash or mechanics garage…it just seems safer and won’t puncture as easily. I began sourcing out WVO this week, so far so good. I have a fleet of 10 diesel trucks in my landscaping business so I’m going to have to find enough WVO, about 100 gallons a week, to save a signifigant amount of money.
I to just ordered the starter package of DSE. I own an 07 GMC with the 6.6L Duramax and I email DSE and they told me that due the Diesle Particulate Filter I would have to filter down the fuel to 2 microns. I guess the finer the filter the finer the fuel. Anyone out there running this alternative fuel in the 07 6.6 Duramax??? Thanks. Jonathan.
I am researching biodiesel & DSE, am ready to buy a friend’s GMC Savanah 3500 diesel van, and visit my friendly diner! I’ll be trying to contact you guys to learn, because energy-efficiency is becoming my avocation (and maybe my vocation!). Thanks for each contribution. Marty
Can anyone make a reccomendation for me as to which direction I should go… DSE OR OTHER.. I have an 07 f-250 6.0 PS. THANKS.
Steve, After speaking w leader of my local HUDSON VALLEY BIODIESEL COOPERATIVE, I’ve decided to join their efforts, learn hands-on bio- production & help out, then make my own. Meanwhile I’ll be following what happens w DSE users also. My first motivation is for fuel oil! Marty
I’m very interested in DSE. I have a 99 F250, 185K miles. Any longterm tests out there besides the 2 years of one person? I’m in FL so gelling is not a problem.
Jesse
I am in Colo, I just recived my starter kit from DSE and will be building my system this week-end, I use 1000 gal of Diesel every month in 6 differant trucks, because I am an ex Diesel mechanic and also an ex welder I will be building a pretty big fuel station of my own. I will be reproting to this web site my results. But first let me say to the person about the plastic tank melting, all of these chemicels you are mixing came in plastic bottels, right? think about that for a min, you must of got someting from your waste oil supplyer, they use some nasty stuff sometimes and dont care how they dispose of it, you better filter better next time.
I am going to build a 400 gal mixing tank, heated and with a 3 filtering prosses, and then pump it into a 1000 storage tank with a built in UV light, I will have another 400 gal tank for picking up of waste oil, which will be filled via a oil pump thru a pre filter.
I am looking at saving 3,000 per month on my fuel cost, and I cant wait to write the letter to the fuel supplyer telling him to stick his high priced diesel fuel delivery.
If anybody has any questions or needs help with anything, just fire away
ta ta for now
Rich
hi folks i have a 2004 powerstroke 6.0 anyone burning dse in one of these. my neighbor makes biodiesel looks like a pain. trying to stick it to the man but dont want to kill myself doing it
hey rich
you said,
“At temps below 30 degrees, the fuel will gell. But to correct the problem I added 4 gallons of kerosene and 4 gallons of diesel fuel and the problem cleared right up within minutes.
how much oil did you add the kero and diesel to? and, what’s the overall mixing ratio with the oil?
I have an 05 Dodge Sprinter which has a 5 cy mercedes turbo ch d engine very expensive to have serviced. Any one used DSE on this engine?
Hey Mike,
Sorry it took so long to get back to you. I work for a race team so time is hard to come by right now.
There was about 10 gallons of DSE and Diesel in the RV at the time. It was not getting any power on hills and once I added the kerosene and then the diesel, it thinnned out enough to work. I have heard this is a problem even with regular biodiesel so I am not worried. It has been warmer in Georgia so now there is no problem. Winter mix and blends just need more of regular diesel in the mix to be thin enough to run. Remember the thinner the mix the less chance of having a problem with your injection or lift pump.
Hi all
I have created a space for this discussion in Barb & Friends Forum. This might move things faster on this topic.
All are welcome to continue to post here if they wish, but I thought things might go faster for those with questions in a forum » http://www.xerraireart.com/friends/index.php?topic=11
Membership is free.
Barb
🙂
hey man, thanks for getting back. i did start to wonder if you were a ship in the night
and to your response, i’m now scratching my head with possible misinformation that i’ve gathered, hence, another question
i was under the impression that dse was a quart-sized additive treatment, but your 10gals says no. what the heck is dse? or am i now misunderstanding what you wrote?
Hey Mike,
I am in Mexico City right now and just checked the site.
As to what DSE is???? I beleive it is nothing more than fuel stabilizer.I saw another guy on the web using the same formula EXCEPT he used Stabil fuel stabilizer instead of the DSE additive.
This is why I believe that DSE and Biofuel Basics, both, are just making stabilizer and saying it is their special formula. I have a friend in NY who uses straight vegetable oil and he adds nothing to the oil. So why do we need to use their additives????
He runs an F-250 and has had NO trouble except with his fuel line, which he has changed. I see so many people say that the veg oil/kero/gas blends are no good, but then why can people use the straight oil but we can’t use a blend??? This does not make sense. What everyone needs to realize is that in order for ANY veg oil based fuel to work and burn in our engines properly and safely, is that they need to properly clean and filter the oil they use, no matter what the formula. This alternative technology has the oil companies worried. And to the people who have had engine failures…well you did something wrong. Either you had a problem before you started using these alternative fuels, you did not properly clean and filter the oil, or you used oils that were not pure vegetable based oils. This is the most important aspect of the process, no matter if you make pure biodiesel, blends or use straight oil.
So if you are worried about using these alternative fuels, well then resign yourself to the fact that you’ll be stuck paying higher prices for diesel fuel no matter what. I myself will be looking to purchase a diesel car for my wife and myself in the near future in addition to my diesel powered RV. I am even going to buy a Kubota garden tractor that is diesel. Little 3 cylinder engine that will last forever and will put out far less emissions than gas powered tractors. Good luck mike and if you need more info, just let me know. I will try to check the site more often.
Rich
mexico city? i hope you’re getting better weather than we are up here on the east coast. cold and rainy. but we do need it
and as per me, i’ll be researching it to the nth degree, as i ‘m about to use one of the tanks of my ’96 f250 as a wvoer. i already have about 80gals of filtered oil, and i was just given a couple bolts of 5 micron cloth from an acquaintance at a filter manufacturing plant. he even offered the use of their lab equipment to micron test the paper, restaurant grease filters that i initially used to filter my oil. i’ll also experiment with one of my tractors, a two cyl yanmar, in an effort to learn before being stranded on the road.
i’m amazed at how much conflicting? info, and companies that have appeared on the horizon since i first came upon the ideas four years ago
i hope you have a good time in mayhico
rich
i forgot to mention in my previous post; so far, my cursory research led me to what seems to be a good idea regarding a wvo mixture. to the filtered oil, by volume, add 15% diesel fuel as a prophylactic against baterial growth. sounds very good to me. and i’m sure i’ll try the stabil also, since i also took that advice from the local woodsmen, and it works well with my lawn mowers, generators and chain saws. they all start right away, even after sitting idle for months at a time. and that was never the case before using stabil
Well the are a several kind of biodiesel (from girasol, caña de azucar, jatrofa, palma, maiz, arroz, etc ..) but is not the solution, the biodiesel couldbe a complementary for our energy markets.
Is better, to develop a new kind of education in energy consumption. If each one have a new energy culture we could have another energy scenaries.
M.
For everyone out there wondering about how DSE works. I am running DSE in a 2005 Duramax with no conversion at all. Everything is running perfect. I to was very cautious about using it with all the badmouthing out there. But people just dont want to beleive that it works. Try it and you will save alot of money. I am saving $42 per fillup.
I’ve been running DSE in my 1985 turbo diesel Benz with no problems, I have had to change out the filter a few times, but no real problems. I just bought a 1999 diesel Jetta TDI, is there anyone else out there running the DSE potion with a newer Volkswagan Jetta? I would like to know how it’s worked for you. Thank you. Charlie
Been running a 50/50 mix of DSE in my 97 Dodge cummins diesel for some time now. At first I put the mixture in my 60 metal reserve tank and pulled from it iwth no problems. I kept jsut regular diesel in the truck’s stock tank to be safe. Having experienced no problems I waited until the main tank got to about half full and filled it with the DSE fuel. At first no problems, but after a few days I started experiencing power loss that felt like the truck was starving for fuel. When I would switch back to the metal reserve tank the problem would clear up. Now the problem comes and goes from both tanks. I have changed the fuel filter and it always appears clean. Any suggestions?
I have a 99 (98.5) Ford F250 SD with the 7.3L turbo. It currently has 212,000 miles. I have been using DSE mixture minus the liquid they sell for three years and 55,000 miles. Only mods are a K&N filter and a Superchips Power Programmer. The truck really comes on strong with that programmer! I get the same mileage as diesel and power is just slightly less. I’m in South Texas so I don’t worry about gelling. In the beginning, I was using 100% DSE, but then my oil supply decreased plus I had to take the truck to a mechanic a few times. The mechanic told me he had to clean out the filter bowl and then ran the fuel pump a few times to get it started again. He said the mixture is thicker than diesel fuel and I should start mixing it with diesel fuel. I started using 75% DSE and 25% diesel. I’ve recently been having trouble with a lack of top end power, then one day it wouldn’t start. No check engine light or codes were shown. I checked the small screens inside the tank, cleaned the filter bowl, changed the fuel filter, and even bought a new fuel pump but nothing worked. I finally towed it to the mechanic. After several days they found the problem. The fuel pressure regulater has three fins (plastic I think) inside it that had been dissolved. The mechanic said he’s never seen anything like it. He put on a new one and it seems to be running fine. This is the first time that I know my DSE fuel is harming my truck. I’m wondering what other similar material parts are in the fuel system that will be dissolved in the near future. DSE is not the solution for everyone. You need vege oil that has no other liquids at all. The restaurant I get mine from puts the oil from the fryer into the original 4.5 gallon plastic jug and then puts the lid on it. I poor the oil into the drum through a plastic butter bucket with a leg of pantyhose stretched over it. I mix the ingredients from the DSE instructions (minus the liquid they sell) in the 55 gallon drum and sometimes let it sit for a few hours to try to let heavier things settle to the bottom. I then put the hose connected to the final filter, in the filler tube of the truck, open the valve at the 55 gallon drum and then plug in the two pumps. After the mixture runs through three filters it goes right into the truck. I already have 5 or 6 gallons of diesel in the tank and I fill it up with the DSE mixture (minus the liquid they sell.)
Sorry for the long writeup, but I wanted to be specific.
Hey I just got back from a canoe trip and the busses were all diesel powered rigs that were running a 50/50 mix with used french fry grease. The truck ran great and smelled even better!!!
I am running DSE fuel in a Mazda dump truck here in Bermuda. Have been using it for about 2 weeks. Started with a 60% Diesel 40% DSE mix, then 20% Diesel 80% DSE, now 100% DSE is in the tank.
Truck has 140,000 KM on it and a noisy injector pump to start with, so I am not too worried about damaging the pump. Everything is running great so far, fingers crossed. With diesel up to $8 a gallon this past summer I need a break and I hope this is it.
A question for anyone using the DSE formula without the DSE additive. What if anything are you using for a substitute additive, and are you following the formula by DSE in every other way?
Look forward to hearing from all of you on any results, positive and negative.
OK For all you people out there that have had problems I will tell you that you need to do a lot more than they tell you in the manual. FIRST…you MUST make sure there is NO WATER in your oil. The only way to do this and the easiest way, is to heat the oil for 8-10 hours at a temp of at least 180-200 degrees. This basically will evaporate any water that may be in your oil. When you get the oil you need to deal directly with the person who is draining the fryers. Most of the time they drain the oil from these units by using a catch bin and they drain the fryer from the bottom, in the front. If you can get them to scoop the oil out from the top FIRST, this will give you the best oil. The oil at the bottom of the fryer has the most water in it and this gets mixed in with all the oil if they give you that oil.
To make a heating drum this is what I have done:
I use a 55 gallon steel drum that has been modified to be used as a heating drum. This is done by having a threaded fitting welded into the side of the drum about 2 inches off the bottom that a standard 2000 watt hot water heating element will screw into. This fitting MUST be steel and it can’t be galvanized steel
( galvanized steel gives off toxic fumes when welded ). Then have two threaded fittings welded into the drum, one about 1″ off the bottom (on the opposite side from the heating element), and then one about 6-8″ off the bottom, above the other one.
Make sure you offset one from the other though.
Then purchase copper valves (like the ones you would use for a outside water hose) that will screw into the fitings. This will allow you to drain off the good oil at the 6-8″ level while the one at the bottom will allow you to drain off any sediments that settle to the bottom.
This process will not only evaporate and boil off the water in the oil it will also help thin the oil which will promote the settlement of the sediments in the oil.
You still need to pre- filter the oil though either a 100 micron string or sock filter before this to remove the larger particles.
Once you have heated the oil make sure you let it cool down overnight before you try to mix it with any of the gas, diesel, or kerosene. If you do not allow the oil to cool and you pour the gas into the hot oil, it will flash boil the gas and if there is any source of ignition, you will get hurt. The oil must be cool before you mix it with any of the ingredients.
Once you have this process completed you DO NOT need to use the DSE additive. I doubt you ever needed it to begin with. If you get the water out and you use the right mix of kero, diesel, gas, and the power service additive, and filter the fuel through the proper filters, the fule will work fine.
If you want to see the BEST way to set up your system, let me know and I can email you photos of my system. I have a Fleetwood Discovery motorhome that I run this in and it runs fine. The only time you will have any issues is in the winter when temps are below 45 degrees. When temps get that low, you should run a blend of 40 % vegetable oil fuel and 60 % regular diesel fuel. If it is colder than 40 degrees then a blend of 20 % oil fuel to 80 % diesel should be used. This oil fuel WILL GELL UP much easier than regular diesel fuel. Any questions….email me.
Rich
I wanted to mention the way to test your oil for water.
Take your oil, after you have pre filtered it, and heat a pan on the stove. Take a sample of your collected oil and put it in the pan before it gets hot. As it heats up, if you hear a lot of popping and spitting sounds and see bubbles forming……you have water in your oil.
If you heat it the way I described in my previous post, and you test it after that, you will see that there will be very little if any popping, spitting or bubbles in the oil. This will tell you that your oil is ready to be mixed and then filtered for the final fuel.
The final filtering is also critical to making this fuel work the best. When the final filtering is done, you shoudl filter through the 5 micron carbon filter first, THEN the FINAL STAGE is through the water block. If you have pre filtered the oil, heated the oil, then filtered it properly at the end, you will have EXCELLENT vegetable oil diesel fuel. If you want more details, let me know.
Rich
PS: I am the same Rich from earlier posts that answered Mike’s questions and I work for a race team. I am a Professional Class A Commercial Driver and drive the race transporter for the team.
Hey very nice blog!!….I’m an instant fan, I have bookmarked you and I’ll be checking back on a regular….See ya 🙂
Thanks to the combined info on this blog I have made my decision to try DSE in my 02 7.3 Powerstroke. I would greatly appreciate it if you email me the pics of the “BEST SETUP” Rich! I will let you all know my results.
Hey folks!
Since the price of diesel has spiked recently due to the uprisings in Egypt and Libya, I began searching about DSE and biofuel again after having stepped away from producing it for a couple of years now due to time and space constraints… How’s everyone doing with their production setups? How are your vehicles running? I’m looking to startup production again and learn how to weld so I can make a heating drum like the one Rich described above…
Anyone in the San Francisco Bay Area interested in starting up a co-op?
~Luis
Oh yeah! Rich, I’m also interested in seeing the pictures of the “BEST SETUP”! Much appreciated!! 😀
email me at: lageov@gmail.com
Rick K.
It seems like us new DSE folks are in need of your experience. If you still have your DSE filtration design and advice I would really appreciate a copy.
Gary
gtravinski@gtaengs.com