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Engine Specific Info and Questions => IDI Engine => Topic started by: philone on November 13, 2006, 12:43:35 pm

Title: Biodiesel (At the pumps)
Post by: philone on November 13, 2006, 12:43:35 pm
Hello,

I have a 1986 NA Diesel and I'm considering switching to biodiesel (from the pumps, not home made).  I work for an oil company and one of our card locks has biodiesel at it which I can get for free if I'd like so cost isn't a big concern.  I'm just curious which blends people are using and what negative affects they've encountered.  Thanks.
Title: Biodiesel (At the pumps)
Post by: burn_your_money on November 13, 2006, 01:16:06 pm
I wish there was biodiesel in North Bay :(
Title: Biodiesel (At the pumps)
Post by: Justin on November 13, 2006, 01:51:13 pm
run it and you will spoil yourself, you will love it, it will adjust your timing curve and in the old vw diesels will improve your torque curve a little due to less friction in the injection pump, for cold weather use a B20, during warmer weather use the highest you can, with anything over B50 you will probably see a little drop in mileage but if you are getting it for free then who cares, plus by using it you support american farmers!!!!!!!1
Title: Biodiesel (At the pumps)
Post by: Turbinepowered on November 13, 2006, 02:31:24 pm
If it's free (Lucky dog!) then run straight up B100. Check your injector return lines after a while, see if you're having the possible rubber issues; if they're weepy or soft, go Viton and forget you ever even had the problem. Cheap fix.

Also you might get tank clean-out due to the solvent effect; just keep a spare fuel filter or two on hand, depending on how long you've been burning petroD.

For winter, usually B50 works fine. Unless it gets really cold around where you are, then B20 is better. Super freeze-your-balls-off cold, and either B5 or straight petro.
Title: Biodiesel (At the pumps)
Post by: LeeG on November 13, 2006, 11:03:22 pm
Hi, I have done about 25,000 km on Bio, mainly on b20, but a few tousand km on b40.  With B20 I get identical mileage to d100, on B40 I saw a 1% drop in mileage.  No noticable power change between the 3, but the motor runs noticably smoother on bio than dino.   A lot less smoke on bio too (on my bagged out 1.6td anyway)

No leaks so far, but it hasnt been a year yet.

The station I buy at recently put a BIG warning on pump about gelling, they recommend B40 for above 0 degrees celius and B20 for above -10 degrees celsius.

Free fuel??!!!  Dang where do I sign up?
Title: Biodiesel (At the pumps)
Post by: philone on November 14, 2006, 09:11:47 am
Has anyone run any additives with biodiesel?  I currently run PowerService brand DieselPower additive with my regular Diesel.  I would think it'd help due to it's anti-gelling behavior but I know very little about the chemical makeup comparisons of regular Diesel and biodiesel and if it'd have any affect at all.  Thanks for all of the good information so far!
Title: Biodiesel (At the pumps)
Post by: Justin on November 14, 2006, 11:00:50 am
the common antigels dont work with biodiesel, they will work with the diesel portion of the blend. I think a company that makes an anti gel for biodiesel is primrose