Hey guys..

I am doing my homebrew biodiesel research and was wondering if it is "highly" recommended to install a fuel pre-filter like a Nicktane?

I know I should have one anywany but wondered if it would be a requirement before running my own homebrew... (I am evaluating my cost breakeven point)

Cheers.

As you said yourself, you should have one anyway. Before I started blending in WVO I FIRST put in the extra permacool filter/adapter (which also can use the nicktane filter btw). Cheap insurance and better fuel system life.

After having my stock filter plug with commercial bio, I would definitely run another filter "pre-oem". Nothing too restrictive - a 10 micron or 30 micron would be enough to filter the sludge...

jeff

:thankyou2Thanks for the feedback guys... A couple of question though...

1. I really like the Nicktane setup but confirmed it doesn't seperate water. So can I fit the Permacool to the Nicktane head?

2. How hard is the permacool head to install?

Thanks again!

Cheers. :beerchug:

:thankyou2Thanks for the feedback guys... A couple of question though...

1. I really like the Nicktane setup but confirmed it doesn't seperate water. So can I fit the Permacool to the Nicktane head?

2. How hard is the permacool head to install?

Thanks again!

Cheers. :beerchug:

1. Yes, the permacool head has the same thread and it's a 10 micron filter btw.

2. I found it to be reasonably easy and I did it at night in the pouring rain. Just make it accessible (sp?) but not easy to damage from road debris. I put mine on a frame crossmember near the rear axle. Very easy to get to and no way anything could hit it by accident.

I have the racor frame mounted unit. And it uses their aqua-bloc media for water seperation.

jeff

Dmax,

In running commercial bio, have you ever observed water evidence when changing filters??

Cheers.

You should NEVER get water in commercial BD,and making it yourself you have complete control.

The CAT filter (heard this from a CAT engineer on the TDIclub) is supposed to be very good at collecting water. Unfortunately, the problem with biodiesel is: as it gets warm, it absorbs that water, and when it gets cold, it drops the water back out.

Ive never seen evidence of water in any of my filters.

I have had the Nicktane setup on since about 7k on the truck (now at 38k). I've been running bio in various concentrations up to B100 for about the last 12k miles and changed filters before I started. I changed filters again this weekend. I cut open both the Cat and the OEM filters. The Cat filter definitly looked used, but had more life in it and I'm sure it would go well over 15K. There was a bit of sediment at the bottom of the filter, but no rust. The OEM filter looked like it had maybe 3K miles on it, it was so clean.

I like the Nicktane/Cat setup and would recommend it or something similar for anyone whether they were running bio or not.

where do you purchase your Nicktane/Cat setup's? and cost?

http://www.nicktane.com/