Author Topic: first batch of bio-diesel (Read 4662 times)

dillenger1 · « **on:** September 09, 2008, 09:32:19 pm »

Well i ran the first batch of finished bio,and some weird stuff happened.Granted this is a new engine(rebuild)It was running like a gem on the off-road D.when i used the bio,pretty much 100%,my engine sounded real advanced,like it was real thin.mind you i hAVE a 10mm plunger and my timing is over 1.05mm(but it runs n ice and quiet on the red diesel).It smelled real bad like burning fries.(ive smelled bio before)this was different.when i revved the engine i got some sparks out the turbo(no downpipe on)I shut down and took a vacuum sample of the oil in the oil pan.No metal what so ever.This fuel had air dried for a couple days(air dewatering).my father thinks theres no way there could be to much methanol,but i beg to differ.what do you guys think.

subsonic · « **Reply #1 on:** September 09, 2008, 10:05:01 pm »

Good for you on the bio.

Running b100 will affect timing for sure. Give giles a shout for a reccomended setting adjustment.

Here is a test you can run to check fuel quality:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3jGvefA4OI

Do you have a methanol recovery system?

Mark(The Miser)UK · « **Reply #2 on:** September 10, 2008, 05:29:04 am »

Quote from: "dillenger1"

Well i ran the first batch of finished bio,and some weird stuff happened.Granted this is a new engine(rebuild)It was running like a gem on the off-road D.when i used the bio,pretty much 100%,my engine sounded real advanced,like it was real thin.mind you i hAVE a 10mm plunger and my timing is over 1.05mm(but it runs n ice and quiet on the red diesel).It smelled real bad like burning fries.(ive smelled bio before)this was different.when i revved the engine i got some sparks out the turbo(no downpipe on)I shut down and took a vacuum sample of the oil in the oil pan.No metal what so ever.This fuel had air dried for a couple days(air dewatering).my father thinks theres no way there could be to much methanol,but i beg to differ.what do you guys think.

Your pump is running more advanced. This is because of the brew you are making is 'good' for the pump in one aspect , in that it hasds a higher viscosity and is filling the wear gaps and thus increasing internal presure and so advancing. Horrid chip smell? Well I like the smell of fried potatoes, and this is the smell of veg oil [virgin as well which surprised me when I fiirst ran straight]
My thoughts are that you have not converted the oil totally, and letting the stuff cool down inside your pump/injectors will in a short while block it up.

dillenger1 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 10, 2008, 08:23:09 am »

No ive smelled bio before.this was not pleasant.i love fish n chips.what about the sparks?we havent condesed the meth to get it back,but it does come out in the airing process

subsonic · « **Reply #4 on:** September 10, 2008, 12:04:13 pm »

Sparks are bad. Straight up. Fuel should not be causing it. Do the test on the bio just to check it.

dillenger1 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 10, 2008, 12:59:03 pm »

I just flushed the system and put in good fuel(off-road)It cleared up and no more sparking.timing seems to returned to normal.smells like reg diesel (of course)Im going to try the test now,27/3 test.

dillenger1 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 10, 2008, 07:46:18 pm »

well we do have free glycerydes in the fuel.There was some svo that got mixed in by accident,so the 27/3 test is bunk.My timing was real advanced!is there anything that can cause these sparks?evrythinh sounds good.no metal in oil,i dont know?

Mark(The Miser)UK · « **Reply #7 on:** September 10, 2008, 11:14:04 pm »

Quote from: "dillenger1"

well we do have free glycerydes in the fuel.There was some svo that got mixed in by accident,so the 27/3 test is bunk.My timing was real advanced!is there anything that can cause these sparks?evrythinh sounds good.no metal in oil,i dont know?

Unless your turbo is grinding away, its probably just large carbon particles. Has it stopped with the change of fuel?

For my benefit, can you describe your conversion process? Do you have a link to something?
Thanks

dillenger1 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 11, 2008, 06:10:47 am »

yes it stopped when i switched back.weirdI think it had to do with the advance.heres the pump converted.it was really just a matter of making sure the lda arm came in contact with the governing plate.which it did,but some of the parts are different.

heres the peugeot.

heres the 10mm head

Patrick · « **Reply #9 on:** September 11, 2008, 07:58:46 pm »

Just a caution. The only time I ever saw sparks out an exhaust, it turned out to be dirt being sucked in a bad joint between an air filter and a turbo. Cost me an engine......... (about 4000 15 years ago to rebuild an 855 cube 400 horse cummins)............ Worth checking.

Mark(The Miser)UK · « **Reply #10 on:** September 11, 2008, 08:47:49 pm »

Can you describe the process you use to make the biodiesel? More for my interest really, but it may point to something.

blkboostedtruck · « **Reply #11 on:** September 11, 2008, 10:17:45 pm »

your sparks! Ben
do you have exhaust that was used with a gasser engine previous?
my caddy threw sparks out the exhaust for a while till it all burned out! a gasser motor was used in before i changed it back to run on diesel!
Duane

dillenger1 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 11, 2008, 10:35:07 pm »

we do titration test to check ph levels to find how much methoxide needs to be added.we heat in water heater and cycle inmethoxide/ methanol in stages.we dry the oil(dewater) with an airation sysyem the blows air through hot oil and condenses it.we drain off glyceryne.we are using a venturian style meth recovery,that uses a condenser made from bent copper tubing.
oh,no to the exhaust question.

subsonic · « **Reply #13 on:** September 12, 2008, 02:54:55 pm »

Quote from: "Mark(The Miser)UK"

Can you describe the process you use to make the biodiesel? More for my interest really, but it may point to something.

Biodiesel Tutorial

http://biodieselcommunity.org/

VW Scully · « **Reply #14 on:** October 18, 2008, 08:33:29 pm »

Are you actually WASHING and drying your fuel before use to get rid of residual methanol??
That's kind of important :wink:

I've been using my homebrew Biodiesel in my Rabbit for over 4 years with no such problems. :shock: