More on the saga of leaving Phoenix.
Today after having the fuel tank dipped and all the fuel lines cleaned and pressure tested we once again set off to leave Phoenix. The rig was running better than it has in years...I was so happy! I once again thought I would share this with Rudy...and once again while talking to him he got to "be there" when things went bad. I noticed that I lost power steering and pulled off at the next exit someplace in the Arizona desert. I saw automatic transmision fluid all over the engine and the jeep which I tow. I dont know if the new pressure from the injector pump has anything to do with it...or if it is just from talking to Rudy...but I am once again stuck. I did make it about 50 miles today though!
Tomorrow I will try to locate the leak...from a hose I think off the back of the pump. Maybe the fitting just came loose? Maybe I am dreaming? One thing for certain is that when it is fixed and sailing down the road...I will NOT be calling Rudy!
Bob's Machine
Moderator: TMAX
Here are some pictures of Bob's machine. This one is how the front end looked after he had to use the back of a dump truck ahead of him to slow down when he lost his brakes in the Hawkins. Both of the bicycles were crunched as well as the grille and the fiberglass on the front of the machine.
This one is after the repair of the front.
Below is a pic of Bob's machine at the repair shop getting the fuel tank cleaned and the pumps working.
This one is after the repair of the front.
Below is a pic of Bob's machine at the repair shop getting the fuel tank cleaned and the pumps working.
Last edited by Rudy on Thu Dec 17, 2009 1:38 am, edited 2 times in total.
Here's where Bob and Rachelle were parked while working as Campground hosts in Big Bear Lake in California.
Here is where Bob and Rachelle were parked at Quartsite, Arizona last winter.
Here is where Bob and Rachelle were parked at Quartsite, Arizona last winter.
Last edited by Rudy on Sun Dec 20, 2009 12:46 am, edited 3 times in total.
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stuartcnz
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The following is taken from a marine engineering website, focused on commercial shipping http://www.dieselduck.net/ . I thought it maybe of some interest, given the recent discussion on diesel fuel problems.
In the last few years, the number of reported fuel problems attributed to microbial contamination has increased. This increase has occurred as more companies stored larger quantities of fuel for longer periods of time. Microbial growth in fuel storage systems can lead to a variety of problems, including filter plugging and corrosion.
The key to minimizing the occurrence and effects of microbial contamination is by prevention through good fuel maintenance and housekeeping practices.
Microbial contamination of fuel, though not a new problem, is more common in metal working industries, which use water-soluble oils as cutting fluids. The refining process essentially sterilizes all hydrocarbon fluids. The fuels can become contaminated soon after leaving the refinery. Microbes can infest a fuel tank along with a new fuel delivery, with ground water run-off, or even with airborne particles. These microorganisms exist rather harmlessly in moisture-free fuel, passing through fuel systems without any operational problems. However, in the presence of water, the microorganisms begin to metabolize (grow and reproduce). The rate of metabolism depends on how well the environment suits the particular microorganism's needs. Some bacteria are able to double their population every 20 minutes, and this speed illustrates how rapidly fuel-fouling problems may arise.
In field systems, microbial fouling of fuel is difficult to predict. Each fuel tank presents a unique environment for microbial growth. The growth of a large colony of microorganisms in a fuel system can cause several problems. The first, and usually most obvious, is fuel filter plugging with a greenish-black or brown slime, frequently accompanied by a foul odour. The slimy, string-like colony can also plug sharp bends in fuel lines, fuel meters and other restrictions. These microorganisms can also cause corrosion due to the acid by-products some of them produce. It is also possible, if the microorganisms pass through the fuel filter, that they will form deposits and cause damage in the fuel pumps and injectors. Microbial contamination can also cause swelling or blistering of any rubber surface (washers, hoses, connectors) that comes in contact with the fuel.
When it has been established that there is a problem with microbial fuel Contamination and action must be taken, there are several approaches. The best solution to a problem of this nature is by prevention. Microbial organisms can enter the fuel through so many different routes that keeping them out is not a practical solution. However, keeping fuel systems clean and dry can prevent growth of these microorganisms. Preventive procedures include frequent "sticking" of tanks with water detecting paste, pumping out water bottoms where necessary, preventing rain and surface water entering tanks, and draining fuel/water separators regularly. Sediment from dirt and rust should also be minimized.
When microbial contamination is a recurring problem, a biocide can be used to chemically sterilize the fuel system. There are two general classes of biocides: water-soluble and fuel soluble, and each offers advantages depending on the system to be treated. Biocides are generally only mildly toxic but should be handled carefully. In cases of ingestion or physical contact, follow the manufacturer's recommendations and seek medical aid.
Although most of the microbes that will live in fuel tanks are common organisms to which humans are constantly exposed, contact should be avoided. When a fuel tank is highly contaminated and physical cleaning is necessary, workers should use breathing protection, and the microorganisms should be kept wet to minimize airborne contact. Disposal of the sludge and water removed from the fuel tanks should be done according to local health regulations. Never place these materials in sanitary sewage systems, since they can kill bacteria used in sewage treatment. Never place them in storm sewers or surface water streams since they can kill fish and other aquatic organisms.
The most common problem associated with exposure to these microbes is dermatitis, which for some people can be quite serious. Any exposed skin should be thoroughly washed with warm, soapy water. Any ingestion of the microbes or exposure to broken skin should be considered serious. It is recommended that if this happens, the worker should be taken to a doctor, along with a sample of the microbes.
https://stuartcrawfordmedia.com/
https://nomadichome.org/
https://ethicallogistics.com/ Challenging the way you think.
JID:stuart@nomadicista.nz
https://nomadichome.org/
https://ethicallogistics.com/ Challenging the way you think.
JID:stuart@nomadicista.nz
Wow! That sounds like a Borg invasion, I hope I dont get nightmares. I will now have the cleanest fuel system around! While we are this subject, what does everyone think of using bio-diesel, or just straght veggie oil?
I know several people that use straight used veggie oil in busses, small cars and trucks. You do have to change your filters a lot more often, and most also used a Racor filter which can be washed rather than replaced along with the regular filters. I have heard a lot of pros and cons about this and am currious what you all think about it.
From what I have observed it seems like newer car engines dont do very well on veggie oil, but I know a guy that drove his school bus conversion 3,000 miles on one trip and never bought any diesel at all. He collected grease along the way and had a section in the rear of his bus to do the filtering. He never had any problems at all. He also had an older diesel VW pickup that got 50mpg on used grease and he never had any problems with that either.
I know several people that use straight used veggie oil in busses, small cars and trucks. You do have to change your filters a lot more often, and most also used a Racor filter which can be washed rather than replaced along with the regular filters. I have heard a lot of pros and cons about this and am currious what you all think about it.
From what I have observed it seems like newer car engines dont do very well on veggie oil, but I know a guy that drove his school bus conversion 3,000 miles on one trip and never bought any diesel at all. He collected grease along the way and had a section in the rear of his bus to do the filtering. He never had any problems at all. He also had an older diesel VW pickup that got 50mpg on used grease and he never had any problems with that either.
Wherever I am...I am home.
At the risk of sounding opinionated:
I would NEVER run vegetable oil in ~ANY~ of my meticulously rebuilt diesel engines. Biodiesel, yes, SVO/WVO, never!
To kick my credentials, I have been involved in alternate fuels for diesel engines since 2000. I am part owner of a 5 million gallon-per-year biodiesel fuel production facility, and have been heavily involved with several alt fuel coops. No one I know who started out running veggie oil is doing so any longer. Even the garage that still converts cars to run on SVO/WVO for customers has stopped using it in their own vehicles.
The conversion process of making vegetable oil into biodiesel involves removing the glycerin molecule from the oil, leaving the ester molecule. Glycerin make up about 20% of the bulk of vegetable oil. The process is not difficult, and it need not be dangerous or environmentally damaging.
Yes, diesel engines can and will run on SVW/WVO, but extended tests have shown that the glycerin in the fuel causes a variety of problems. These include ash deposits on combustion cylinder parts, accelerated wear of injection system parts, and corrosion and contamination of injection pumps. Worst of all is that glycerin, when introduced to the internals of an engine in the form of blowby, causes motor lubrication oil to polymerize, essentially turning the oil into a hard plastic, which coats the inside of the engine with a hard glazing of film. The effects of SVO/WVO are cumulative, and don't begin to show up for tens of thousands of miles.
Here's the kicker, SVO/WVO proponents will claim that it's more environmentally sound to use unprocessed vegetable oil rather than biodiesel because it is less processed and doesn't involve the use of toxic and reactive chemicals. What they don't tell you is that burning glycerin at low temperatures creates acrolien gas, which is carcinogenic. Acrolien was used as a chemical warfare agent in WWI.
It has been suggested that heating the veggie oil to 160°F before introducing it to the injection system will lessen the production of acrolien, but injection systems were never intended to use fuel at this temperature. In fact, the flow of fuel through the injection pump is intended to cool the internals of the pump.
Why on earth anyone would want to dig around in greasy dumpsters, heat and filter oil, then have a complicated dual fuel system on their vehicle in order to destroy their engine and produce poison gas is far beyond my comprehension. It's probably also possible to run a diesel engine on rat poison, but I wouldn't want to do that, either.
I will only run my engines on ASTM certified 100% biodiesel. Yes, biodiesel requires some forethought, and possibly some minor fuel system modifications, but compared with the nightmare of SVO/WVO, it's a walk in the park.
If you want more information on biodiesel, I'd be glad to provide it.
I would NEVER run vegetable oil in ~ANY~ of my meticulously rebuilt diesel engines. Biodiesel, yes, SVO/WVO, never!
To kick my credentials, I have been involved in alternate fuels for diesel engines since 2000. I am part owner of a 5 million gallon-per-year biodiesel fuel production facility, and have been heavily involved with several alt fuel coops. No one I know who started out running veggie oil is doing so any longer. Even the garage that still converts cars to run on SVO/WVO for customers has stopped using it in their own vehicles.
The conversion process of making vegetable oil into biodiesel involves removing the glycerin molecule from the oil, leaving the ester molecule. Glycerin make up about 20% of the bulk of vegetable oil. The process is not difficult, and it need not be dangerous or environmentally damaging.
Yes, diesel engines can and will run on SVW/WVO, but extended tests have shown that the glycerin in the fuel causes a variety of problems. These include ash deposits on combustion cylinder parts, accelerated wear of injection system parts, and corrosion and contamination of injection pumps. Worst of all is that glycerin, when introduced to the internals of an engine in the form of blowby, causes motor lubrication oil to polymerize, essentially turning the oil into a hard plastic, which coats the inside of the engine with a hard glazing of film. The effects of SVO/WVO are cumulative, and don't begin to show up for tens of thousands of miles.
Here's the kicker, SVO/WVO proponents will claim that it's more environmentally sound to use unprocessed vegetable oil rather than biodiesel because it is less processed and doesn't involve the use of toxic and reactive chemicals. What they don't tell you is that burning glycerin at low temperatures creates acrolien gas, which is carcinogenic. Acrolien was used as a chemical warfare agent in WWI.
It has been suggested that heating the veggie oil to 160°F before introducing it to the injection system will lessen the production of acrolien, but injection systems were never intended to use fuel at this temperature. In fact, the flow of fuel through the injection pump is intended to cool the internals of the pump.
Why on earth anyone would want to dig around in greasy dumpsters, heat and filter oil, then have a complicated dual fuel system on their vehicle in order to destroy their engine and produce poison gas is far beyond my comprehension. It's probably also possible to run a diesel engine on rat poison, but I wouldn't want to do that, either.
I will only run my engines on ASTM certified 100% biodiesel. Yes, biodiesel requires some forethought, and possibly some minor fuel system modifications, but compared with the nightmare of SVO/WVO, it's a walk in the park.
If you want more information on biodiesel, I'd be glad to provide it.
I knew this was the place to post a question about that! Thats the best answer I have heard yet..it does make sense. I am just going to stick with clean diesel for now, in my nice new clean fuel tank and lines!
To my understanding Mr. Diesel did design his diesel engine to run on peanut oil, but I doubt that he got 10,000 miles on anything as he met his early demise in the middle of the Atlantic while on his way to America.
I was checking diesel prices and Oregon has some of the lowest in the country...we are considering spending next summer there..hopefully working a campground near Florence on the coast. In my younger days I spent a lot of time in Oregon and I love it. My wife has never been there and wants to see it...thats enough motivation for me!
Thanks for clearing things up for me on this svo and bio diesel question. I am so satisfied...I am feeling the need to go smoke!
To my understanding Mr. Diesel did design his diesel engine to run on peanut oil, but I doubt that he got 10,000 miles on anything as he met his early demise in the middle of the Atlantic while on his way to America.
I was checking diesel prices and Oregon has some of the lowest in the country...we are considering spending next summer there..hopefully working a campground near Florence on the coast. In my younger days I spent a lot of time in Oregon and I love it. My wife has never been there and wants to see it...thats enough motivation for me!
Thanks for clearing things up for me on this svo and bio diesel question. I am so satisfied...I am feeling the need to go smoke!
Wherever I am...I am home.
Bob, you are correct, Rudolph Diesel intended his invention to allow farmers to produce the fuel that they used to run their farm machinery, a sustainable cycle.
In those days, internal combustion engines had much less demand upon them. Engines didn't run at as high an RPM, and seldom were expected to do so for extended periods. Horsepower output of engines then was much more modest, and most stationary small engines used evaporative cooling, no water pump or radiator. Having to rebuild an engine after a couple of hundred hours of operation was an expected maintenance chore.
As technology advanced, improvements in machining, balancing, metallurgy and such allowed greater and greater amounts of power and speed from engines. Once standards for fuel were established, engine design was optimized for those fuels. We are very fortunate that biodiesel easily meets or exceeds the standards developed for petroleum diesel fuels.
If you visit Oregon, you will have no choice but to use biodiesel. All of the diesel fuel in the state is blended with at least 2% biodiesel since the governor signed the Renewable Fuels Standard at our retail biofuels station in July of 2007.
In those days, internal combustion engines had much less demand upon them. Engines didn't run at as high an RPM, and seldom were expected to do so for extended periods. Horsepower output of engines then was much more modest, and most stationary small engines used evaporative cooling, no water pump or radiator. Having to rebuild an engine after a couple of hundred hours of operation was an expected maintenance chore.
As technology advanced, improvements in machining, balancing, metallurgy and such allowed greater and greater amounts of power and speed from engines. Once standards for fuel were established, engine design was optimized for those fuels. We are very fortunate that biodiesel easily meets or exceeds the standards developed for petroleum diesel fuels.
If you visit Oregon, you will have no choice but to use biodiesel. All of the diesel fuel in the state is blended with at least 2% biodiesel since the governor signed the Renewable Fuels Standard at our retail biofuels station in July of 2007.
News and photos of Bob and Rachelle's journey to the north.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Heading North
Left Sonoma County on monday heading north up the 101...first stop was in Laytonville Ca at a small casino..more for the overnight parking than the casino..they are very rv friendly and almost all of them offer free overnight parking for big rigs and rv's. Being set up with solar electricity there is really no need to plug in...all the convienences of home are always at hand. Some people prefer to stay in costly rv parks to sleep..I have no need for those...besides...you get to see more of the world when you are out there living in it!
OK...this casino..Blue Wolf Moon or something like that..was small...after parking and getting a good look at it I though it looked like a trailer...after wlaking down to it and walking inside..I realized that it was indeed a trailer!
Ive never seen a casino quite like it before! The people (all 4 of them) were very friendly though and it was a great place to spend the night. I only wish I could have stayed for the tractor drawing! Its the truth...they were giving away a tractor...it was parked right out front! Every farmer, farm hand and local resident (all 20 of them) was there in hopes of owning the new Kubota!
I have a picture of the casino AND the tractor for you all to see!
Today was spend driving to Eureka through the giant redwoods...with stops for hikes...coffee..and a little guitar playing...rough day. I better get some rest!
The rain has been steady...the ocean waves are huge
but it is nice and cozy here at home.
ON THE WAY.
THE LITTLE CASINO. SEE THE TRACTOR?
PARKED AT THE CASINO.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Heading North
Left Sonoma County on monday heading north up the 101...first stop was in Laytonville Ca at a small casino..more for the overnight parking than the casino..they are very rv friendly and almost all of them offer free overnight parking for big rigs and rv's. Being set up with solar electricity there is really no need to plug in...all the convienences of home are always at hand. Some people prefer to stay in costly rv parks to sleep..I have no need for those...besides...you get to see more of the world when you are out there living in it!
OK...this casino..Blue Wolf Moon or something like that..was small...after parking and getting a good look at it I though it looked like a trailer...after wlaking down to it and walking inside..I realized that it was indeed a trailer!
Ive never seen a casino quite like it before! The people (all 4 of them) were very friendly though and it was a great place to spend the night. I only wish I could have stayed for the tractor drawing! Its the truth...they were giving away a tractor...it was parked right out front! Every farmer, farm hand and local resident (all 20 of them) was there in hopes of owning the new Kubota!
I have a picture of the casino AND the tractor for you all to see!
Today was spend driving to Eureka through the giant redwoods...with stops for hikes...coffee..and a little guitar playing...rough day. I better get some rest!
The rain has been steady...the ocean waves are huge
but it is nice and cozy here at home.
ON THE WAY.
THE LITTLE CASINO. SEE THE TRACTOR?
PARKED AT THE CASINO.
Got love? Give love.
Hey Rudy..thanks for posting all of these! I had been looking for "Bob's Machine" but wasnt sure where it was at. btw...the machine is running a LOT better now! Leaving Fortuna (I did go to the market here for some tuna) and driving just north of Eureka to another casino. I will take a shot of this one before we leave..maybe after another latte. (-:
Wherever I am...I am home.
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William Biffwinkle
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