Bio-Diesel additives!!

[Simonthomas]

I have just started using Bio-Diesel in my 1996 Defender 300TDi. I am using a 50-50 mix to see how it gets on. Should I be adding any additives to help or is is just a regular filter change adequate?

[Auto Defender]

Hi Simon

I think the issue will be the quality of the Bio fuel as this is cause of peoples problems.. Keep a log of amounts and mileage done with and without diesel. Its mainly a issue inn the winter when the bio gels in cold weather. I used 100% mix with no probs in my Tdi but will start with a 25% mix in my Td5 building up confidence to 100%... I will let you know..
Good luck
Matt

[Spanner110]

Hi Simon

I think the issue will be the quality of the Bio fuel as this is cause of peoples problems.. Keep a log of amounts and mileage done with and without diesel. Its mainly a issue inn the winter when the bio gels in cold weather. I used 100% mix with no probs in my Tdi but will start with a 25% mix in my Td5 building up confidence to 100%... I will let you know..
Good luck
Matt
your'e brave using biofuel in a Td5, hope you are using high quality stuff.
Saw an article in Junes issue of LRO International page 207 (right hand column) may be of interest to you.
Hope it works:)

[Auto Defender]

Hi Guys,
Cheers I will look at the article it seems there is so much contrary rumour on suitability but I pray it works... I start this week;)

[spandit]

Carry a spare filter and a filter wrench - biodiesel has a habit of cleaning out your fuel tank and clogging the filters (did on mine anyway)

[wadams20]

Carry a spare filter and a filter wrench - biodiesel has a habit of cleaning out your fuel tank and clogging the filters (did on mine anyway)


It is a fantastic cleaner! In an older engine it will definitely loosen up all the crud and chuck it right into the filter. Good thing is it is so efficient at doing this that after the first full tank of bio diesel you should have a clean fuel tank.

[Spanner110]

It is a fantastic cleaner! In an older engine it will definitely loosen up all the crud and chuck it right into the filter. Good thing is it is so efficient at doing this that after the first full tank of bio diesel you should have a clean fuel tank.

That's as maybe, but if you leave biodiesel in the tank in the right conditions, you will discover a green sludge developing, and that will clog up your fuel lines goodstyle, and there is no option but to replace everything from the tank to the engine (worst case scenario)

[MountainMike]

just what are the right conditions ???? Or should I say wrong conditions? I've been making and using Bd for a while now and have never had or heard of green sludge. Sounds like scaremongery to me. If the bd is made correctly and reaches standards of quality (dewatered, glycerine removed, dried ) there is not going to be any green sludge. Infact its going to be better for your engine, better for the enviroment and best of all better on your wallet.
mike

[wadams20]

just what are the right conditions ???? Or should I say wrong conditions? I've been making and using Bd for a while now and have never had or heard of green sludge. Sounds like scaremongery to me. If the bd is made correctly and reaches standards of quality (dewatered, glycerine removed, dried ) there is not going to be any green sludge. Infact its going to be better for your engine, better for the enviroment and best of all better on your wallet.
mike

I know what he means. If you search the net for biodiesel and mold or bacteria you can see some results. It is possible to get natural flora growth in biodiesel although it does take some time and most studies I have seen mention it only as anecdotal. It would be nice to see a study done in which they left some BD in various types of fuel containers for various times to observe how it "ages". We all know what happens to petrol as it ages in a fuel tank or a carb. so I imagine BD would break down in some way also. Probably not a problem if you are using it in your daily driver.

[wadams20]

That's as maybe, but if you leave biodiesel in the tank in the right conditions, you will discover a green sludge developing, and that will clog up your fuel lines goodstyle, and there is no option but to replace everything from the tank to the engine (worst case scenario)


The Irish think everything should be green :D Just trying to be funny. In al seriousness you are correct. Here is a link to a good biocide if this is a problem you are having http://www.utahbiodieselsupply.com/biocide.php

[MountainMike]

What shelf life???? I'm not making a fine wine here that improves with age, mine goes in the tank as soon as I've processed the stuff, maximum between the barrel to the tank is maybe 2 weeks, maybe if your making hundreds of gallons of the stuff and you need to store it then yes, use a biocide. Have you seen the price of the stuff???

[selous2001]

I have been using biodiesel since 2004, (long before it was a buzzword)mainly in German cars before acquiring a Defender 200tdi; the only time you should experience problems unless you are using poorly produced fuel is sub 5 degrees c temperatures, when an anti gelling additive or derv added to the bio is needed. A simple in line heater is an excellent idea too.

[Lord Croft]

your'e brave using biofuel in a Td5, hope you are using high quality stuff.
Saw an article in Junes issue of LRO International page 207 (right hand column) may be of interest to you.
Hope it works:)

Hi - just for your info, I have been running my TD5 on 100% 2nd generation bio since last October, just over 10,000m on it now.

Changed the filter twice to start with and very happy on it since. Starts a little slower in the colder weather but nothing much.

Yes you need to make sure the glycerine is removed and washed, dryed as well as near nuteral PH as possible - 6.5 minumum, 7 to 7.5 preferable.

Make sure you have:

a) enough time to do it
b) capable of precission measurments
c) prepared to deal with dangerous chemicals
d) have some idea of chemistry

Even with the pump prices I am not sure I would have started making bio if I had known the problems associated with it.

Good luck to folks who do go for it & don't end up doing what the guy on the news did in Northampton!!

[Spanner110]

What shelf life???? I'm not making a fine wine here that improves with age, mine goes in the tank as soon as I've processed the stuff, maximum between the barrel to the tank is maybe 2 weeks, maybe if your making hundreds of gallons of the stuff and you need to store it then yes, use a biocide. Have you seen the price of the stuff???

The shelf life of biodiesel is no more than 12 months before it starts degrading. The green sludge occours when temperature and humidity conditions 'synchronise', more often than not when you have half a tank of biodiesel and warm sunny days and clear cold nights for instance.
Try reading a book by Joshua Tickell, called 'From the fryer to the fuel tank' ISBN no. 0-9707227-0-2 That should tell you most things you will need to know about home production of Biodiesel.
And yes. The Irish are mad for the green stuff:D

[Richie_asg1]

My local autoparts sell a fuel biocide - I suppose this will cure the green fur problem.

( I know biofuels are intended to make us turn green, but didn't know they meant it literally ! :D)

Another good thing about biodiesel - it's a great parts cleaner - plus you can just wash with soapy water afterwards if needed - as it's totally biodegradable (no worry with spills)

Doesn't like copper though :confused: