Are Alternative Fuels Compatible with your Car?

Today, when fossil fuels have become key aspects of our economy, when every time there is a conflict or disaster in a fossil fuel producing country, fuel prices go through the roof, never to come down to the original prices again, it is time to find alternative fuel sources for our vehicles. There are many cars on the road today that run on combinations of fossil fuels and other fuels like electricity, others do not use petrol at all.

Vehicles are being driven all over the world using, alcohol, electricity, biodiesel, LPG and many other options. Many of these are adaptable to the car we are using now; it is not a matter of buying another car but a carburetor kit or some gaskets or something else that is simple to exchange. In fact in many countries and cities the government will give you a reward or will pay for the transformation just to reduce the smog levels in their country or city. In Hamburg, Germany, people are paid not to own cars, they ride on bicycles and the city has a superb transportation system that runs on electricity.

Diesel fuel is probably one of the dirtiest and most contaminating fuels. It is not a fuel, it is oil. Diesel vehicles use a powerful pump that pulverizes the fuel before reaching the injectors; it is the explosion of the pulverized fuel that moves the engine. If your pump or injectors are not in perfect shape and coordination you will see black smoke coming out of your exhaust. This happens mostly in large trucks, buses and heavy vehicles, diesel SUVs are not that bad. A diesel fuel system is complicated and requires constant maintenance to prevent pollution up to a certain point but along with bunker it is probably the most notorious.

Transforming a diesel engine into a bio diesel engine is not hard, especially if the bio diesel is made with African Palm oil. The gaskets used in the diesel pump run with diesel oil are thin and will tear after some time when they are exposed to the bio diesel, the same thing happens to rubber O-rings and other parts inside the pump. To make the transformation you need to exchange all the gasket kit in your diesel pump for a bio diesel gasket kit, these are specially made to deal with the new fuel. The pump and injectors must also be calibrated because the fuels have different densities so changes must be made to achieve the right pulverization level.

If your car runs on petrol and you want to convert it to alcohol, it is necessary to change the carburettor or fuel injection system. This is true for old cars, in new cars it is simply a matter of changing gaskets and the air and fuel regulators in the carburettor, fuel injection systems will require the exchange to alcohol injectors. It is important to wash and clean the fuel tank and plumbing to avoid any petrol residue and to adjust the motors idle and rpm, but it will take a knowing mechanic less than one day to make the change.

If you want to change to LPG gas, a little more work will be necessary. You will have the option to run it on petrol or gas, all you have to do is flip a switch and you will change fuels. A special tank for the pressurized gas is necessary to carry the LPG, besides this and a little calibration nothing else is needed to convert into LPG. All three transformations mentioned here will not damage your car and they will not change your cars performance either. The car will be as fast and strong as it was when using the fossil fuel, the only difference will be your contribution to save the environment.