Who is running 100% bio in 24v, VP truck?

[ILIANBG]

Hi. I am interested in getting a biodiesel processor from a local company. I have a source for wvo. I am a little concern with potential issues that might arise from using it in my truck. A friend of mine, who will also use it has a first gen Sprinter van, with the I-5 cyl. engine. So we both will be using the 100% bio. What do you guys think? Will it be ok? I want to see what your experience is. Thank you for all your help.

Ilian

 

[Smentkowski]

Hi Ilian,

You should be fine with B100. They only thing is get some spare fuel filters the Biodiesel will clean out the fuel tank and lines of and build up in them and will clog the fuel filter. I haven't run any B100 myself I have gotten B30 from a fuel company about 15 miles away from me the only thing is that they are closed on the weekend when I can go there or if I am off during the week I would head down by them as soon as they open. I haven't had any problems with it at all. Also depending on how cold it gets in your area during the winter you might want to go with a blend of 50 bio and 50 diesels or 30 bio and 70. B100 will gel just above freezing most of the time. I have read of some people putt kerosene in with the bio to drop the gel point down. As for the sprinter I'm not sure about those at all. I haven't read anything dealing with them running biodiesel.

As for the biodiesel processor use caution on the plastic ones. Not many die hard biodiesel people like them to do the possible melting fire proablem with them. Here is a link to a site I visit allot on bio they are very help with things and some of them on there have their own companies that sell bio related stuff.
BIODIESEL & SVO DISCUSSION FORUMS

Here is a link to a few biodiesel processors.
Murphys Machines
Turner BioDiesel
Springboard Biodiese

Good Luck,
Anthony

 

[WyattEarp]

I myself am venturing into this eventually, i do know that if your running 100% WVO you will need to have fuel lines that are compatable for it, Veggie oil will eventually break down regular fuel lines, i have actually ran 25-30 gal. and sometimes straight in my 92' now take in mind this was straight from the container ready for a fryer LOL, i got a good deal in a pallet of outdated wesson peanut/veggie oil and i figure the worst think i did was clean out some junk in the lines and tank plus clean piston off... But i know there is a method to making this the proper way, but it goes to show that yes in a pinch you can run straight oil off the shelf if you need to but take in mind that is in the ol' 12 valve without any computer or sensors. . good luck and let us know what you find out and how it goes. I believe Geno's carries the biodiesel fuel line also.

 

[SHobbs]

I ran B100 for years in the warmer months with zero issues. There is a place not to far from me that sells B20 and b100 at the pump. I have run processed oils from sunflower, soybean, cotton seed and canola as well as pig and chicken fat. Truck ran fine, less smoke and a totally different exhaust smell. As said above carry a few extra filters for a few thousand miles until the crude gets cleaned out. If you have never ran it before I would suggest maybe a 50/50 mix to flush everything out then go to B100. When I started using it I went through two filters within six thousand miles, after that all was fine.



Canola is the good stuff, sunflower is darker and alot thicker which you notice in fuel pressure being lower. The pig and chicken fat ran great as well. I have not used any in a while due to the price being higher than diesel, not sure if it still is. I would suggest using only processed oils instead of WVO being that WVO still has alot of the waxes and pariffins in it which could gum things up. You do have the benefits of extra lubricity ( nearly twice ) and higher cetane than diesel.

 

[ILIANBG]

Thank you, guys. I appreciate the help I get here. It has always helped me make the right decision.
I do not want to run straight WVO in the truck. I am interested in running 100% biodiesel, hopefully home made. I am looking at processors that make the biodiesel. I have to find out what kind is the oil that we are going to get- it's a japanese restaurant.
Here we do not have really cold temperatures. The coldest I've seen was 47 in the winter, for few days only. It's just an idea I'm exploring, but will be nice to make my own fuel.
Thanks again, and keep'em coming
Smentkowski, thanks for the links, I'll check those out.
Ilian

 

[EDankievitch]

I've been running B100 in my 05 for almost 4 years now. I like the way it burns much better smelling than diesel. In the winter I run a 50/50 mix unless it gets really cold then I switch back to diesel. I would run a diff lift pump than the engine mounted one. The in tank pump seems to be up to the task so far. I also use the b100 in my diesel boat, it has a Volvo D3. The boat has only seen diesel fuel once in the 3 years since I installed it. I like the fact that Biodiesel is biodegradeable, makes an awesome marine fuel.

 

[ILIANBG]

Springboard Biodiesel in Chico,CA seems to have really nice units. The guy I talked to was also really nice. Might have to drive there and look at those in person.
Thanks everyone. I would not have found them without your help.
Ilian

 

[ZBrooks]

I have the BioPro 190 that Springboard sells. When fed good oil, it makes awesome fuel.

 

[ILIANBG]

That's actually the one I'm looking at ( Bio Pro 190). Looks really nice. I learned I should stay away from plastic tanks, even though they are cheaper. What kind of wv oil is a good choice? I have to go and visit them. Seem like very nice people to talk to. I have a lot to learn about this, it scares me sometimes. I would love to be able to make my own fuel, so I figured I'll try to learn as much as I can before I buy anything.
Thanks again.
Ilian

 

[ZBrooks]

Utah Biodiesel Supply
Biodiesel Forum

Here are two websites with a ton of information that I have found to be highly useful. Graydon Blair is the owner of Utah Biodiesel and is the top dealer of the Bio Pro line. He has numerous videos of using the Bio Pros, helpful tips, etc.

I prefer oil that is non hydrogenated and is either canola, cottonseed, or another oil that has a low gelling point. All of the oil I get is canola right now and it makes great fuel. I used to try and use partially or fully hydrogenated oils, but I won't touch them anymore. They aren't worth the hassle.

My suggestion is to talk to restaurants and if they are open to you collecting their oil, ask them if you can take small samples of their oil and do a titration test on them. If they titrate high, stay away.

 

[KLauber]

Zbrooks is right, its all about the raw product quality. My supply is down to one restaurant which is a snooty high end shop that barely uses their canola oil before they toss it. Getting about 50 gals a week from them which is enough for 2 trucks and a generator. I do WVO blending which is covered on the forum under Alternative Fuels. But you go with what makes you comfortable.

Ken