Biodiesel

Hightower · 25 June 2010, 23:29

Any one here using Bio-diesel or SVO (Supermarket vegetable oil) in their Diesel burners?

With the ever increasing cost of Diesel I've been thinking along the lines of getting a large quantity of Sunflower or Rapeseed oil and bunging it in to the tank.

Neil Harvey · 26 June 2010, 00:46

Andy,
Loads of reading up to do in the stickies at the top of this site:-
http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=53
I know you don't have a surf, but some informative stuff in there.

My advice, if you go down the SVO route, check your fuel pump can cope with it first, and start slow, then increase percentages as time passes and no problems show. Change the fuel filter when you start using it, and then again after a couple of weeks - it lossens any crap in the tank and clogs the filter.

Tim M · 28 June 2010, 00:15

How much is a litre of veg oil these days (cheap stuff bought in bulk)? Only buy Olive my self

I'm getting 20p a mile in the disco at the mo. Maybe veg could bring that down a little.

sunrider · 28 June 2010, 02:43

I've used 100% biodiesel for long voyages in a Zodiac 733 and had very good experience with it....my engines were the early MerCruiser D219 and a Yanmar D27 outboard. However, all that usage was in warm climates with professionally processed fuel, so others on the forum may be able to give you info more suited to your circumstances. You can find extensive anecdotal and current technical info plus lots of links at the biodiesel.org web site.
bryan

Channel Ribs · 28 June 2010, 08:15

I cant really help, but do not want to pass up a mention of the fact that our first full reprocessing of some of the island's waste veg oil will take place in a week or so.

The garage next door are going to sell it through the pump as an alternative to fossil diesel.

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Hightower · 29 June 2010, 22:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by malthouse

I cant really help, but do not want to pass up a mention of the fact that our first full reprocessing of some of the island's waste veg oil will take place in a week or so.

The garage next door are going to sell it through the pump as an alternative to fossil diesel.

</threadhijack>

Let us know how you get on?

Hightower · 29 June 2010, 22:50

I'm gonna run my tank dry and fill up with Bio-diesel being offered by a local supplier. It'll be interesting in the economy changes (currently 30-32MPG). If successful I'll be using it all the time.

Ian Sharlot · 29 June 2010, 22:58

there is a lot of difference in quality of bio, if you get bad bio expect an expensive engine repair

tcwozere · 29 June 2010, 23:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

I'm gonna run my tank dry and fill up with Bio-diesel being offered by a local supplier. It'll be interesting in the economy changes (currently 30-32MPG). If successful I'll be using it all the time.

Before you do, have a word with Jim at Home Auto's, (first unit on the right in the Boatyard Industrial estate located off Mill Rd by Fareham Workies..) There used to be a guy on the industrial estate doing biodiesel, Jim has lost count of the amount of times he had to tow the guys 4x4 back after the biodiesel fecked the engine..

Hightower · 30 June 2010, 03:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcwozere

Before you do, have a word with Jim at Home Auto's, (first unit on the right in the Boatyard Industrial estate located off Mill Rd by Fareham Workies..) There used to be a guy on the industrial estate doing biodiesel, Jim has lost count of the amount of times he had to tow the guys 4x4 back after the biodiesel fecked the engine..

This was the guy I was going to get mine from....Perhaps I'll have second thoughts

Thanks Tony. I'll phone Jim up before I consider this move.

MarkWildey · 30 June 2010, 08:04

I looked into making bio-diesel and have the following advice for you before buying the stuff...

1) Make sure he offers the correct EN14214 certification
2) Be 100% sure your fuel pump is compatible with bio-diesel.
3) If he can't spell "transesterification" walk away
4) Ask how he tests the quality of the bio-diesel he makes and what equipment he uses.
5) Ask to have a look at the processor he uses and look for a high ratio or stainless ( and no plastic ) as this would indicate more of an investment into the production of bio-diesel.

It is relatively easy to make bio-diesel but harder to make quality bio-diesel for selling.

Channel Ribs · 30 June 2010, 09:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

Let us know how you get on?

Sure will.

As to the comments about the quality of diesel, they are spot on. It is not an industry-standard product with any guarantees that the person making it is not cutting corners, there is good advice about talking to your prospective supplier(s) first.