Lovecraft Biofuels Going Nationwide?! (Updated)
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 01.23.07
Our pals over at Jalopnik got a hot tip that Lovecraft Biofuels (whom we featured here and profiled on TreeHugger TV here) will be expanding from their one location in Los Angeles to 10 stores around the US. Details remain a little sketchy at this point, but according to Jalopnik's tipster, "They're opening up ten stores, one in Seattle, and Portland... uh, Houston," and the rest go unnamed for the time being. Remember, Lovecraft does diesel-to-veggie-oil engine conversions, specializing in a single tank system that allows you to mix new or waste vegetable oil, diesel and/or bio-diesel in any combination using the original fuel tank. We've contacted the folks at Lovecraft and hoping that they'll get back to us in between conversions; stay tuned for more updates as events warrant. ::Lovecraft Biofuels via ::Jalopnik
Update: Brian from Lovecraft says:
Yes, we are working with investors, and planning an expansion. I don't want to jump the gun, and give details before they are solidified, but, there will be a steady expansion going on that will include new locations throughout the country, and abroad. We'll announce the plans on our website as they become reality.You heard it right from the horse's mouth...we'll keep a close eye on them and our fingers crossed that everything goes well with the expansion.
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Are you guys taking this, like, seriously???
Read the article again, you will see it is, like, a joke. These guys worked on my vw, and I can tell you they have their hands full as is.
The article is in fact an attempt as humor. Get it?
It would be a dream come true for me. I live up in Seattle and there is a shop that does it but it's too pricey.
I'd love to get my TDI Jetta running on WVO. Biodiesel will have to do for now.
Running straight WVO is hard to do even in a mild climate like Seatlle.
Even with fuel heaters, start up fuel tank, etc it's just more workable to use a mix.
Hey Anonymous, what you smokin as I want some! I have friends who run straight used VO in their heated tank system in 2006 Jettas, in Vermont! Both drive a lot for work and already have over 30,000 miles on their cars. Mixing is a fool's errand as you must heat the mixture anyway or the VO gells up within the diesel and clogs the system. This is vegetable oil conversion 101, so please do a smidgen of research before posting such a thing.
Lovecraft, or anyone else, who modifies the stock fuel tank is breaking federal law. Installing a separate tank with a switched valve is ok, but modifying the stock tank is totally illegal. Most states with safety inspections will fail a car for a modified stock tank and possible impound it.
Insurance may not cover the car if the stock tank has been modified either. And the liability factor is huge if you get in an accident and there is a fuel spill that any lawyer will blame on your stock tank modifications.
Sheesh, I don't even have one of these things and I seem to be an expert here. That is horrifying.
key word:
Heated tank system
Without it it's like jello.
But then the fuel lines still need to be clog free.
Must have a heated garage.
It's scary to think a company like Lovecraft Biofuels will be expanding. There's a reason why it's been branded "the fast food of vegetable oil conversions" : it's cheap, quick, and easy; thinks it's doing everyone a favor by being cheap, quick, and easy; makes profits through selling a product to uneducated consumers wanting to believe that this cheap, quick, and easy product is being sold to them by a company that has them (and in this case the environment) in its best interest.
Please people, do some research and you will find information about why single tank vegetable oil conversions when done in Lovecraft "fashion", are
damaging to the long term health of your diesel vehicle. Incomplete combustion of cold vegetable oil in diesel engines can result in catastrophic engine failure due to polymerization of vegetable oil in the motor oil sump and combustion chambers.
Start at the link below to learn about how single tank systems can be done right and how double tank systems can be more flexible than single tank configurations.
http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_svo.html#1tank
WVO conversion companies and installers around the world... exept for one (Dana Linscott) who does not want to be on the list...
Black Rock Automotive in Sacramento CA
Colorado Biodiesel WVO injectors
Crude Country in Alberta Canada
Deep Fried Rides Memphis TN
Diesel Oil Conversions in Santa Monica CA
Diesel-Therm Germany
Diesel Veg UK
Deltech in New Zeland
Elsbett Holland
Enviro Fuel Corvallis OR
Greasecar Massechusets
Greasel Drury Missouri
Greaseworks Corvallis Oregon
Frybrid Seattle Washington
Lesko WVO conversions in NJ and PA
Liquid Solar New York
LoveCraft Biofuels in LA
Plant Drive Berkley CA
Real Energy Santa Monica CA
Rover Hybrids Redding CA
Smart Veg UK
Vegenergy Atlanta GA
Veggiediesel UK
Vegistroke Lake Stevens WA
Veg Powered Systems Santa Monica CA
Veg Power Ithaca New York
Wiesel Surrey BC ,,
http://www.greengreasemonkey.com
http://bloomingfutures.com/ http://www.frybrid.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3154
Veggie Werkes - High Point NC
www.veggiewerkes.com
Fossil Free Fuel
www.fossilfreefuel.com appalachianbiofuel.com
Allentown, Pa
do it yourself http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/159605551/m/681106491
good luck Omar
www.omarsales.com
If you take a short trip over the Bay Bridge from San Francisco to Oakland you'll find a number of salvage yards, one in particular that specialized in Mercedes Benz. Ask them about Love Craft Biofuels and they'll be happy to show you any number of Love Craft cars, dead.
Using vegetable oil for fuel is a viable alternative to diesel but only if appropriate systems are used. Starting a diesel engine on vegetable oil, "cold starting", will dramatically decrease the life of your engine - which in the case of those great early 80's Merecedes engines is really a shame. Vegetable oil has a much higher viscosity (thicker) than petrol fuels. When vegetable oil is sent straight into the injectors unheated, as in a cold start, it is too thick to atomize correctly and distorts the spray pattern of of the injectors which leads to incomplete combustion which leads to coking and eventual engive failure.
Go to Love Craft Biofuels website and read through the forum and you'll notice that whenever the discussion starts heading in this direction, Bryan, the owner will terminate the discussion and close the thread forever.
Love Craft is about marketing and making a quick buck with cheap systems that will land your vehicle in the same the grave yards as the ones I've seen in the East Bay.
There are many viable double tank kits out there. Do some research and make an educated and more safe decision before gambling with your vehicle.
If you take a short trip over the Bay Bridge from San Francisco to Oakland you'll find a number of salvage yards, one in particular that specialized in Mercedes Benz. Ask them about Love Craft Biofuels and they'll be happy to show you any number of Love Craft cars, dead.
Using vegetable oil for fuel is a viable alternative to diesel but only if appropriate systems are used. Starting a diesel engine on vegetable oil, "cold starting", will dramatically decrease the life of your engine - which in the case of those great early 80's Merecedes engines is really a shame. Vegetable oil has a much higher viscosity (thicker) than petrol fuels. When vegetable oil is sent straight into the injectors unheated, as in a cold start, it is too thick to atomize correctly and distorts the spray pattern of of the injectors which leads to incomplete combustion which leads to coking and eventual engive failure.
Go to Love Craft Biofuels website and read through the forum and you'll notice that whenever the discussion starts heading in this direction, Bryan, the owner will terminate the discussion and close the thread forever.
Love Craft is about marketing and making a quick buck with cheap systems that will land your vehicle in the same the grave yards as the ones I've seen in the East Bay.
There are many viable double tank kits out there. Do some research and make an educated and more safe decision before gambling with your vehicle.
Speaking from personal experience, it's true that anyone who does business with Lovecraft is only fooling themselves. Just read the LA Weekly profile on Lovecraft. Two tank systems are viable. A Lovecraft conversion is not. This is very sad news indeed if it's true.