dominicbeesley
Well-Known Member
There's all manner of different "bio diesels" out there - I used to help make it at a local firm. There can be anything from unrefined veg oil with a few additives through to properly filtered, transesterification processed and dried fuel and all manner of in-betweens. Then there's the question of what cold-weather additives have been added: "plain" can set at relatively warm temperatures, a lot of people mix with normal winter diesel in mild winter weather to stop it from setting.
You can get all sorts of fancy pre heaters that will help to mitigate problems with it solidifying.
Other things to watch are:
- that if there's any residual fats or soaps or water in there it will block fuel filters
- if there's any residual methanol (used in processing but should be boiled off, however there's always some left) it can bugger up some seals (including those in some timing pumps - not sure about the tdi)
- if there's any water it can corrode stuff
- if its unprocessed it you will smell like a chip van!
- if there's any water in the bottom of your tank it can cause problems, it will tend to mix with biodiesel and form soapy **** in your filters instead of being repelled by normal diesel. Replace all filters, check and empty water traps if fitted, drain crap out of your tank.
- biodiesel will often rinse any ****e that is lining your tank, lines, filters out and clog stuff up down stream
- keep your receipts in case you get dipped by VOSA wombles
Having said all that, we produced a good amount (with varying quality) and had a good number of happy customers - most problems encountered were with clogged filters. I'd be wary of where I buy it from and make sure I knew a good few people who'd tried it long-term from the same supplier. We were doing it on the level and paying duty and trying to do a decent job but the raw materials became quite expensive. A lot are just bunging some white spirits into raw veg oil....
I'd not just bung it in but do a good bit of research first and take a careful approach you may save ten bob a litre but a buggered up engine, timing pump or a tow home can be very expensive.
Personally though, I'm sticking to petrol, much nicer to drive!
You can get all sorts of fancy pre heaters that will help to mitigate problems with it solidifying.
Other things to watch are:
- that if there's any residual fats or soaps or water in there it will block fuel filters
- if there's any residual methanol (used in processing but should be boiled off, however there's always some left) it can bugger up some seals (including those in some timing pumps - not sure about the tdi)
- if there's any water it can corrode stuff
- if its unprocessed it you will smell like a chip van!
- if there's any water in the bottom of your tank it can cause problems, it will tend to mix with biodiesel and form soapy **** in your filters instead of being repelled by normal diesel. Replace all filters, check and empty water traps if fitted, drain crap out of your tank.
- biodiesel will often rinse any ****e that is lining your tank, lines, filters out and clog stuff up down stream
- keep your receipts in case you get dipped by VOSA wombles
Having said all that, we produced a good amount (with varying quality) and had a good number of happy customers - most problems encountered were with clogged filters. I'd be wary of where I buy it from and make sure I knew a good few people who'd tried it long-term from the same supplier. We were doing it on the level and paying duty and trying to do a decent job but the raw materials became quite expensive. A lot are just bunging some white spirits into raw veg oil....
I'd not just bung it in but do a good bit of research first and take a careful approach you may save ten bob a litre but a buggered up engine, timing pump or a tow home can be very expensive.
Personally though, I'm sticking to petrol, much nicer to drive!
I like the feeling of not having to fill up at filling stations
I try to run Bio in my startuptank, then veg in my main tank.
I have found that Bio can vary in quality, so blending it helps if you get a batch thats slightly down on power. Only once did I get a really poor result - I had left the bio in a drum for about a year. When put in the vehicle it was virtually dead. The rest of the barrel I had used the previous year without any problems. So don't store it for an extended time.
Another thing I found in my P38 - the small rubber hoses returning from the injectors all dozed pretty quickly. I replaced them using nylon airline (as used on the air suspension) - simply heat the ends slightly with a heatgun to enable you to push them over the fittings. Never had a return leak since
Didnt notice any real power difference.
I try to run Bio in my startuptank, then veg in my main tank.
I have found that Bio can vary in quality, so blending it helps if you get a batch thats slightly down on power. Only once did I get a really poor result - I had left the bio in a drum for about a year. When put in the vehicle it was virtually dead. The rest of the barrel I had used the previous year without any problems. So don't store it for an extended time.
Another thing I found in my P38 - the small rubber hoses returning from the injectors all dozed pretty quickly. I replaced them using nylon airline (as used on the air suspension) - simply heat the ends slightly with a heatgun to enable you to push them over the fittings. Never had a return leak since
Didnt notice any real power difference.
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in my opinion running biodiesel in an old diesel engine is a pretty bad idea. The impurities in the fuel (even well made fuel) will eventually eat the rubber seals in your injection pump (viton seal in newer equipment resists this). I would suggest isntead running vegoil/diesel mixed. just vary the mixture depending on weather. colder = more mineral diesel, warmer more veg. It's simple and as long as the veg oil is filtered properly very reliable. Straight veg oil, as has been mentioned, requires an extra tank and switching equipment along with heater.
I ran straight veg oil in a Ford 6.9 diesel engine for 3 years. It is NOT a time saver, but a hobby. Requires thought and planning and is messy labor intensive process. I loved it, but it aint for everybody.
I ran straight veg oil in a Ford 6.9 diesel engine for 3 years. It is NOT a time saver, but a hobby. Requires thought and planning and is messy labor intensive process. I loved it, but it aint for everybody.
not worth the bother???? some figures from someone who has run both neat oil (200 tdi) and bio/veg 50/50 (2.25 diesel)
I buy 100 bio and 100 oil per month for £170 for the last 12 months, 200 litres of dino would cost £270
so I have saved £1200 this year ... engine still running fine, have a 2 glow plug inline heater and have just changed the fuel filter so £2 on top for year lol
previous 6 years was getting oil for free and filtering myself (200 tdi) , 200 litres a month saving £270 a month saving £19,000 couldn't always get the full amount free so lets assume half that saving
so at least £11,000 saved over 6 years, engines are still running strong and with a good 200tdi at £400 I could have replaced the engine every 2 months and still been in profit
no brainer as far as I can see, been there, done it, got the t-shirt, still doing it and saving a fortune
cheers steve
I buy 100 bio and 100 oil per month for £170 for the last 12 months, 200 litres of dino would cost £270
so I have saved £1200 this year ... engine still running fine, have a 2 glow plug inline heater and have just changed the fuel filter so £2 on top for year lol
previous 6 years was getting oil for free and filtering myself (200 tdi) , 200 litres a month saving £270 a month saving £19,000 couldn't always get the full amount free so lets assume half that saving
so at least £11,000 saved over 6 years, engines are still running strong and with a good 200tdi at £400 I could have replaced the engine every 2 months and still been in profit
no brainer as far as I can see, been there, done it, got the t-shirt, still doing it and saving a fortune
cheers steve
I have had a set of 2.25 petrol engine mounts sat in a drawer for 12 months, plan was a 200tdi conversion as soon as the CAV pump died on bio as everyone says it will... however to date she is running superbly?? so I shall keep plodding at 50mph for a while yet lol
Cheers Steve
Cheers Steve
no more than 6000 miles in a year, mostly round town stuff (grandads taxi) and the trip away on some laning trips and holidays pulling caravan.
so although i can see the benefits i am not sure that the bad is worth it for the amount i do. I may just try a 50/50 mix next time i need to fill up and see what happens....
he means miles or maybe you didn't mean that.. nevermind.. think i'm going loopy tonight
Correct. But then you get no coverage for your vehicles for anything that happens to them weather your fault or not
