http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif I am new to the diesel world and I am wondering if anyone out there has any information about bio-diesel fuel. I keep hearing that you have to be very careful about the quality of fuel you run on, but at the same time, hear that bio-diesel isn't much more than recycled french fry grease. What's the scoop? Anybody have experience running on bio-diesel and where you get it if it works well?

I've been running it for 3 years now and it works ok. its a 2% blend of soybean oil. Do it. you get better lube and more btu's per gallon. Wich mean either more power or higher mileage. And lessons our need for overseas oil. Its better for the air too. Just call you local tank wagon service and they should supply it. Edited by: aerosmithpink

What type of company should I be calling to ask about this? Are you sure there are no downsides to it. I'm new to diesel's also, and I know that you've got to be careful what you put on the tank.


Patrick

Biodiesel is actually vegetable oil that has been treated with methanol and sodium hydroxide to remove the fatty acids. Glycerin (as in soap) is the primary by-product. Much commercial biodiesel is a by-product from soap manufacture. Some people are running straight vegetable oil, which requires a heated tank; coking of fuel injectors and fouling of high pressure injector pumps remain big questions...


Biodiesel "feedstocks" or oil crops vary, with soy being most common in North America. Rapeseed is more common in Europe. Some outfits process recycled cooking oil, which requires somewhat more care in processing. Biodiesel has very good lubricating properties, and mostly burns a lot cleaner. It is often sold in a blend with regular petroleum diesel. 20% biodiesel or "B20" is common. Engine manufacturers typically accept only 2% to 5% for new engine warranties. Some of us with older trucks can perhaps afford to do some "pioneering" in an envrionmentally friendly type of high performance; hauling power and lower emissions. Not to mention greater percentage of fuel from domestic farms, etc. It's a practical clean fuel choice, even with its limitations.


During the last year, Iv'e run up to 100% biodiesel in a mechanically injected 6.5 with no trouble in warm weather. Less smoke, better smell. Truck runs smoother. Some reduction in fuel mileage at times. Winter has been diffcult, with gelling of leftover biodiesel in the fuel lines and tank causing fuel starvation below 10-15 degrees. Am running regular diesel now. See below:


Cold weather operation should require only antigel additives for temps down to around 20 F. Below 15 - 20 degrees you start getting into "arctic" conditions because biodiesel has a much higher gel point; around freezing for untreated fuel. This means special additives, heated tanks and/or lines, storage of the vehicle in warm places. Not for everyone. I'm figuring out how to put a coolant loop heater in the fuel tank to eliminate or reduce gelling. Part of the cost of being an "early adopter"...


There's a lot to learn, and there doesn't seem to be a lot of solid "common knowledge" out there - particularly around light trucks. A number of city, college and goverment fleets have run biodiesel with varying results. Information on their experience is often hard to find. There have been some light-truck pilot programs; University of Idaho and Yellowstone Park have run late '90's Dodge Cummins and possibly a Ford Powerstroke under controlled conditions with success. GM experience, at least what I can find on the internet, has been scattered. I've found the links below to have some useful information and experience:


http://www.biodiesel.org/ National / "official" organization for large scale producers & vendors. Includes listing of vendors who are members of the National Biodiesel Board


http://www.tdiclub.com/ Volkswagen diesel discussion boards - includes active biodiesel discussions


http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x?a=cfrm&s=447609751 Biodiesel discussion board


http://www.biodieselnow.com/ National organization. Website includes discussion board

Look at www.journeytoforever.org (http://www.journeytoforever.org) also

You don't have to make your own Biodiesel. You can buy it. Many oil companies are now selling it retail.


I'm in NYC and I buy it from Schildwachter and Sons. It's B20 which means it's diesel with 20% Biodiesel. LAst fillup it was $1.91 a gallon.