Biodiesel

[Lorenz]

Its about $. 25 more a gallon. Ive "heard" of better mileage with a blend of the bio and regular #2, "heard" it doesn't have the lubricating properties of #2, and my biodiesel station has "Not for use in Volswagons" on the pump.



What the real advantages and disadvantages?



Does anybody have a link to the technical properties, or any tests done on the two?



Are there any techs in here that have seen the guts of a motor that has been run on biodiesel?

 

[Crunch]

Originally posted by SLorenzen

What the real advantages and disadvantages?

I've heard the only advantage is that environmental loonies are more likely to be your friend and may not key your truck as they walk past it.



Of course, as someone said here a couple of weeks ago, "Just use Red, It's cheaper and better for your Rig...

Just dont get caught. "



And I'll second that on the don't get caught part!

 

[Tony T.]

My understanding is (red) is just the same #2 diesel we use with a red dye in it proclaimed for farm use off road only. Also that the dye will remain in the tank after serveral tank fulls of the taxed #2 diesel. I would even third it on the not getting caught if you plan to use it. It's not worth the risk to me, something like a thousand dollar fine.

 

[vciesielski]

Tony T.



X10 in some states.

 

[EMD-Run8]

I'll have to see if I can find the article but I think I read that biodiesel lubes better than #2 and "can" have a higher cetane rating than #2. It is cleaner burning but is more expensive--I think????

 

[EMD-Run8]

This is the really wild one!!! They say it smells like french fries or eggrolls or whatever goin' down the road!!!



http://www.greasel.com

 

[Tony T.]

Originally posted by vciesielski

Tony T.



X10 in some states.

10-4 Ouch! Alot of times they will check your truck out at cattle & horse auctions. Know of one guy got caught that way his was a thousand dollar fine, thats enough for me. X10 you killing me.

 

[RACE427]

Freedom Fries anyone?

We have a small one cylinder engine at school, YANMAR< in which I mix # 2 Diesel and plain old Crisco cooking oil in the tank at a 50/50 ratio. You have to see the kid's faces when I start this puppy up and the exhaust stinks up the shop with Freedom Fries odors! It is a sight to behold. The kids cannot believe the engine actually runs on cooking oil. Keeps them talking for weeks about how their shop teacher is a pyscho!! I am having one hell of a time teaching auto shop!! LOL Best job I ever had.

 

[AGrubbs]

FYI: bio-diesel

Bio diesel does have better lubricative qualitys than #2 or #1 diesel. .



For more info (probably more than you want) check outBiodiesel web site



Lots of good info there.

The only drawback to it that I can see is that there is no real anti-gelling additives that work for the pure stuff. So use it in the warm months only, or use a very weak blend.



Drive ON!

 

[Lorenz]

Were are the common places in california to be checked for the "red". no cattle auctions here...



Does anybody know the fine in cali for using the red on the road? not that id dream of taking away tax $ from government; it's rightly theres, right. especially in california...





apx $. 20 cheaper



$1000/$. 20= 5000 gallons per fine.



5000x17mpg= 85000 miles a fine... hum?

 

[Tony T.]

Originally posted by SLorenzen

Were are the common places in california to be checked for the "red". no cattle auctions here...



Does anybody know the fine in cali for using the red on the road? not that id dream of taking away tax $ from government; it's rightly theres, right. especially in california...





apx $. 20 cheaper



$1000/$. 20= 5000 gallons per fine.



5000x17mpg= 85000 miles a fine... hum?

Probably cheaper than . 20 per gallon just not a one time only deal. Hey your on our Black List now buddy we'll be watching you. You could repaint your truck every other week and keep them guessing. :-laf

 

[DJaquez]

I called Cummins about this awhile back, they dis not recommend it becuase they do not know what the results will be on the common rail system.



Here in San Diego we have a great station that even pumps it for you. I don't use it though.



http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/pressreleases/gen/20030811_sandiego.pdf

 

[NC_Mog]

Bio and bio-blends have better lubricating properties than straight dino-diesel. I've been running it in my '03 for several months (B20) with good results. Biodiesel does have a higher cetane rating but does not have the same energy content as dino-diesel. Blends of 20% (B20) and below will yield no or minimal effect on mileage.



If the bioD fuel pump has a no VW sign, I believe it has to do with seals and compatability with biodiesel. My understanding is that you can get a seal kit to replace all suspect seals on VWs, and all for a nominal cost.

 

[LaserBob]

I ran one tank full of the stuff and it would have to be . 30 less cost for me to run it again. It STINKS.



I couldn't wait to get it burned up so I could fill up with good ole #2 and return to the sweet rich smell of a properly valved, slightly overfueled cummins.

 

[robobx]

Hey NC mog, what's bio running per gallon up your way last time you filled up? i was thinking about making a trip up there to fill up this weekend we may be going to the zoo in asheboro, so it's no that much farther. I'd really like to find some plastic barrels to fill to make the trip worth while.

 

[tpuig]

I just did a search and found 3 places within 50 miles (SF Bay Area) that sell BioDiesel. It ranged from $2. 65 to over $3 per gallon. Did I miss something here, or isn't it supposed to be a cheaper alternative to #2? I hope they throw in a couple Tofu dogs with that...

TP



Last fillup was $1. 73/gal for #2 locally.

 

[FM]

I filled up yesterday for $1. 65/gal and have been running B20 for 3 or 4 months. No noticable increase in milage. No gel problems to date but it does not get so cold here in NC. No fry smell to me either. I don't run it cause I'm some eco nazi, I'm not. I'm running it hoping bio will take off creating a huge market for US farmers. Right now the price is subsidised here to help make it competitive but as production increases this will not be needed and price should be market driven same as #2.

 

[robobx]

Thanks FM. I'm not an eco nazi either, but when something like bio offers so many benefits I'd like to use it all the time, but I'm in Charlotte and Garner is the nearest pump

 

[E7mack96]

On the red stuff, if you mix used oil in too, then the red is not detectable.

 

[KKlepfer]

You don't need to run the risk of red for lubricity issues. Just purchcase stanadyne or competitive product as an additive and it will replenish the lubricity. The red is just a dye that indicates it hasn't been through a process that reduces the sulfur content of the fuel. Sulfur does not increase lubricity, but the process to remove sulfur causes lower lubricity properties in #2. Its not worth getting caught; easy solution is just add lubricating additives.



Haven't used Bio, does anyone know if its available in the Phoenix, AZ area?