After a long hunt, I've finally manifested an old '82 diesel westfalia to serve as my home and transport for the summer. Finding one in my price range wasn't easy, but part of that was going with an engine that needs a fill of oil along with each fill of diesel (ouch!) ~ or so the last owner told me ~ although he only drove it 100 miles and after the initial blue cloud on startup, she ran pretty well. I'm planning on needing to do an engine replacement eventually, but I'd like to save up for a TDI later rather than a turbo diesel without the oomph now.

Anyway, I'm ready to make the switch to biodiesel, but want to do it delicately since I don't want to send her engine over the edge in detox, or me over the edge financially with an engine/feul pump replacement at the same time. So, I'm wondering the best way to transition my little Turtle, without being too hard on her especially since I'm hoping not to break down in the middle of whoknowswhere during my travels this summer.

Should I...
a) just replace the fuel line & filter now and start putting in B20
b) replace the feul pump now if this will mean less gunk going into the engine
c) plan on an engine replacement asap
d) do something else I don't know about
e) all of the above

Obviously, I'm new to this, so any advice would be appreciated, especially any estimates/info on what mechanical issues to expect. Thanks!
Oh yes, does anybody know of any good biodiesel-friendly diesel mechanics in the Portland or Bay areas?
posted by:
Violet
Portland

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