How to Make Diesel Fuel

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If your vehicle's engine runs on diesel, you can spare yourself a trip to a fuel station. With a few food and auto supplies, you can make homemade diesel. The following explains how to make diesel fuel.

Steps

1. 1
   Pour 6.76 ounces (200 ml) of methanol into a blender.

   
   

   • Methanol can be obtained at an auto-supply store.
   • Make sure the methanol that you use does not contain isopropyl alcohol, as this will not produce quality diesel.
   • Methanol is poisonous and flammable. Use safety goggles and rubber gloves during this process and follow any safety instructions on the product label.
2. 2
   Gather 0.12 ounces (3.5 g) of sodium hydroxide.
   • This can be purchased at a hardware store.
   • Sodium hydroxide is poisonous. Be very careful while using it.
3. 3
   Run the blender at a low speed and pour the sodium hydroxide into it.
4. 4
   Allow the sodium hydroxide to dissolve into the methanol.
   • This should take approximately 2 minutes.
5. 5
   Turn the blender off.
6. 6
   Add 33.81 ounces (1 liter) of vegetable oil to the blender.
7. 7
   Resume blending the mixture at a low speed.
   • Do this for 20 to 30 minutes.
8. 8
   Pour the mixture into a jar.
9. 9
   Allow the mixture to sit for several hours.
   • If you will leave the jar unattended, label it as poison if anyone else is in the house or building.
   • Keep the jar out of reach of pets and children.
   • After 30 to 60 minutes,, a dark colored liquid (glycerin) should start to settle at the bottom of the jar and a light colored liquid (biodiesel) should start to settle at the top.
   • After several hours, the glycerin and biodiesel should be completely separate.
10. 10
    Pour the biodiesel into a separate jar.
    • Note that only the top portion (light colored) fluid in the jar is biodiesel, so the glycerin at the bottom should be left in the original jar.

    
    

Tips

• This process should be completed in a well-ventilated area.
• The finished product (biodiesel) can be used in any diesel engine.
• There are a variety of methods and ingredients used to make biodiesel and other types of diesel. Check with your vehicle's manufacturer for the best type for your engine.
• If you have a manufacturer's warranty, make sure that using biodiesel will not void it.
• Biodiesel may clean residues left behind by petroleum-based diesel and clog your fuel filter. To solve this problem, change your fuel filter regularly when you first switch to biodiesel.
• The left-over glycerin can be used in your home as a solvent. For example, if there is a hard-to-clean spill on a table, the glycerin can be used to clean it up.

Warnings

• Do not use the blender to make anything for human consumption after you use it to make biodiesel. If any chemical residue remains, it will be toxic to humans.

Things You'll Need

• 6.76 ounces (200 ml) of methanol
• 0.12 ounces (3.5 g) of sodium hydroxide
• 33.81 ounces (1 liter) of vegetable oil
• Blender
• Safety goggles
• Rubber gloves
• Measuring cup or weighing scale
• Two jars

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