Biodiesel

[redstar]

Hello, does anybody use 100% biodiesel? I've read so many conflicting reports about it. Diesel at the moment is 96.9 and bio 79.9 so there's quite a bit of saving here. Any help would be appreciated

[sanjsanj]

I've heard that biodiesel f's up that booster heater.....(unless its not already f'ed up that is!)

 

anyone care to clarify?

[sepulchrave]

Biodiesel is Ok for old tech diesels, but I wouldn't use it for extended periods without mixing as it leaves behind various residues which can clog things up. I wouldn't use it at all in PD engines (cue argumentative green nutter) since they are sensitive to fuel quality and cost a fortune to repair! Where can you buy it separately? most pump fuels contain about 5% now anyway (cue pedantic stat freak attack). :(

[Masked Marauder]

So anyone who does not agree with your point of view is a freak then?

 

There are people on mainland Europe (mostly Germans) who have done 100s of thousand clicks on bio with NO issues in their Sharans.

 

And normally pump fuels contain NO bio unless the pump is marked otherwise. That is the requirement in law. If you find somewhere selling Diesel with a biofuel percentage then your in a minority, I have NEVER seen it in the UK.

[sparky Paul]

I've often been accused of being a nutcase, but here goes... :(

 

I'm not sure about the heaters, but from what I've read the VW PD engine is one of the most reliable for running on biodiesel. As MM says, there are a lot of PD engines happily running on it on the continent.

 

If you are going to use 100%, you might consider changing the fuel filters more often for a while - the biodiesel has a cleaning effect and will strip out any dirt that has accumulated in the fuel system while running on derv. Many attribute these problems to the biodiesel when switching, but it's often the dirt and residues already in the system that cause the teething problems.

 

Rix produce a biodiesel mix, but it is clearly marked as such where sold.

[sepulchrave]

Whoops, MM getting self-referential again.

 

I think that the problem with bio is more to do with water content than anything else, the PD system is very susceptible to corrosion, also bio gels very easily at around 4C, please provide evidence for claims that Germans run B100 all year round, and evidence for claims that PD runs better on bio.

 

Thank you for the stunning levels of agression on offer. :huh:

[Masked Marauder]

Properly made bio-diesel is washed with water to take out impurities and water does not mix with oil. Also all the glycerine is removed so it does not gel as much as normal diesel does. Additives can be used for winter use if needed.

 

All in all it is a better fuel all round.

[sepulchrave]

...Oh boy, I'm sorry MM but that simply isn't true. :)

 

1. Biodiesel is hydrophilic, this means it absorbs water readily and this water cannot be trapped out.

 

2. Pure Biodiesel gels readily at temperatures below 4 degrees Centigrade, this is why it must be blended for winter use.

 

3. The consensus seems to be that bio/petro blends at 20% or below are perfectly safe in most modern diesel engines, at this point the water content and corrosive properties of the fuel are balanced by the additives in petrodiesel.

 

4. Biodiesel generally has a significantly higher sulphur content, this is NOT a good thing.

 

I don't know why you want an argument; is it just with me or is it with Science in general? :huh:

 

My advice to the OP remains, blend it or risk it.

It won't be a high volume seller and it will likely contain relatively high levels of water and therefore microbial contamination which WILL gum up the works.

 

Can you please post reference material for any counter arguments!

[seatkid]

:) I have no useful contribution to make to this arguement.........

 

 

So instead, I will give you my rendition of "Danny Boy".... :huh:

:) a 1,a 2,a 1,2,3.....

 

O Danny Boy, the pumps, the pumps are poororing........

from tank to tank, the biodiesel pongs......

:)

[mumof4]

Hmm...adding to this age old argument!..snippet of info i have found whilst searching...

I know..i shudda provided a link..but for some reason my browser bar is having an eppy fit and is not displaying the page address!

 

 

Biodiesel reduces carbon dioxide exhaust emissions by up to 80%.

Biodiesel produces 100% less sulphur dioxide than petroleum based diesel. Sulphur dioxide is the major component of acid rain.

Biodiesel reduces exhaust smoke (particulates) emissions by up to 75% so the common black cloud associated with a diesel engine can be eliminated.

The smell of the biodiesel exhaust is far more pleasant than petroleum based diesel, and has been likened to the smell of pop corn or doughnuts

Biodiesel is much easier to handle and does not require mechanics to use barrier cream on their hands to protect the skin from cracking or redness.

Biodiesel is much less dangerous to put in a vehicles fuel tank as the flash point of biodiesel is

[mumof4]

found this article on diesel fuel..Quite an interesting site to be honest!..well...i found it interesting.

 

http://fuel-guide-to.com/a/348848/Diesel+Fuel+Quality.html

[mumof4]

This is interesting....

 

 

http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=1723

[big_kev]

And also...

 

Apparently you can get 400 gallons of biodiesel from an acre of land.

This is roughly 16,000 miles per year ( assuming 40mpg ).

 

There are over 40million vehicles in the uk averaging 12,000 miles per year.

 

Therefore we would need 30 million acres of diesel crops growing to support this.

 

There are 60 million acres of land in the uk.

 

Therefore if we turned half this over to diesel crops we would be self sufficient and would not have to rely on fossil fuels.

 

Obviously there would be issues with the amount of land available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

However I propose the following solution.

 

Reduce the number of vehicles on the road.........exterminate the population of Greater London...after all, are they really needed.....this would bring the vehicles down by approx. 15%.

 

Exterminate the population of Wales, Devon and Cornwall and the best part of Norfolk.......this would reduce the number of vehicles....mainly tractors....and free up a vast amount of agricultural land for use.......also cut down on the many genetic defects caused by inbreeding.

 

Makes sense to me !

[mumof4]

However I propose the following solution.

 

Reduce the number of vehicles on the road.........exterminate the population of Greater London...after all, are they really needed.....this would bring the vehicles down by approx. 15%.

 

Exterminate the population of Wales, Devon and Cornwall and the best part of Norfolk.......this would reduce the number of vehicles....mainly tractors....and free up a vast amount of agricultural land for use.......also cut down on the many genetic defects caused by inbreeding.

 

Makes sense to me !

 

A problem with your solution....

 

 

London is where most commerce and all that crap is done...exterminate them and then where would we be??

 

wales......where would all the sheep shaggers then go on holiday??..(No offence meant to any welsh peeps here...is just a joke)

 

 

as for the rest...are you suggesting that the elite live in the midlands??..you will find inbreeding all over the shop.....in fact...people can inbreed without even knowing it...i mean....you meet someone...marrry..breed..then find out they are your long lost sister/cousine etc!!..it does happen you know!!..must do..i saw it on telly in an episode of house!

[seatkid]

Apparently you can get 400 gallons of biodiesel from an acre of land.

This is roughly 16,000 miles per year ( assuming 40mpg ).

 

There are over 40million vehicles in the uk averaging 12,000 miles per year.

 

Therefore we would need 30 million acres of diesel crops growing to support this.

 

There are 60 million acres of land in the uk.

 

Therefore if we turned half this over to diesel crops we would be self sufficient and would not have to rely on fossil fuels.

 

Obviously there would be issues with the amount of land available.

 

From what I read e.g. here its only about 100 gallons per acre (rapeseed - most common UK crop) and that would be with a perfect 100% crop. We therefore need to think about invading Europe and sequester France, Netherlands, Germany etc ......

 

Big_kev....you don't happen to have any Austrian blood somewhere down the line do you? :rolleyes:

 

<_<

[mumof4]

After searching..i found this article....soooooo..in a way.....we could all be related in some very small way due to inbreeding !!

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4204789.stm

[seatkid]

According to the bible, we all go back to 2 people.......

[mumof4]

Hmmmm..............science has proven how we evolved..and it wasnt from two peeps..

 

another little snippet of info.......God i have too much time on my hands and my brain cells are everywhere today!!..yessssss..i do have a brain contrary to popular belief!

 

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/~ucbhdjm/courses/b242.../InbrDrift.html

[big_kev]

According to the bible, we all go back to 2 people.......

 

I think you will find it was one !

 

"and while he slept god took his rib " ..........and we have hated the bustard ( God ) ever since.

Edited September 11, 2007 by big_kev

[big_kev]

yessssss..i do have a brain contrary to popular belief!

 

And I have an appendix.....doesn't mean its working properly though.

[mumof4]

yessssss..i do have a brain contrary to popular belief!

 

And I have an appendix.....doesn't mean its working properly though.

Point taken :rolleyes:<_<

[big_kev]

Big_kev....you don't happen to have any Austrian blood somewhere down the line do you? :rolleyes:

<_<

 

Don't know I will check with my mum !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Damo]

Hi, interesting thread but to get back to the point -

 

Do we have a definitive answer regarding the risks of using biodiesel in the PD 1.9TDi engine?

The 2004 Galaxy handbook specifically says DO NOT use biodiesel.

[seatkid]

IIRC the old Tdi engines with conventional distributor pump were OK with biodiesel according to VW. However the newer PD and CR systems have problems. From what I read, the various basic stocks that can be used to produce biodiesel has higher viscosity and reacts very differently under pressure and varying temperature to straight diesel. As manufacturers have had lots of other costly problems (read - failures) with "new technology" diesels and in the present climate of legislation, I think VW and others have understandably distanced themselves from biodiesel (apart from the 5% EN approved type). Any other stance could cost them dear.

 

Basically, use it at your own risk.

[AndyBWales]

Interesting reading .... decided not to take the risk with my PD engine ... think the more friendly and cheaper option is just to leave the car on the drive more often and walk!