Steve has been working with Automobiles and Alternative Fuels for over ten years. For more about Biodiesel Fuel or Hydrogen as a fuel alternative, visit his web site for more imformation.
I was recently asked by a friend about a Biodiesel conversion for running the fuel in his car. My answer to him was "Drive past the diesel pump and pull up next to the Biodiesel pump. You can use Biodiesel in almost any diesel engine on the planet without modification."
That being said, there are a few things you need to be aware of. Check first to make sure that your vehicle manufacturer doesn't prohibit the use of Biodiesel. I don't know of any that do, but I have been told that Audi's newer diesels are not suppose to use Biodiesel. Why is beyond me.
My friend has been using almost pure Biodiesel in his Mercedes 240D for over two years with no concerns. Somethings that he did upfront you may want to do and they make sense if you want to guarantee you'll have no problems.
First, he changed out his fuel filter after the first two full tanks and again about three months later. The reason he did this is because Biodiesel is a better solvent than petroleum diesel. Accumulations of sludge and gunk in your fuel system tend to accumulate in your fuel lines and in your engine. The Biodiesel will dissolve them and this can clog your filters. A fuel filter or two is not a bad price to pay for a cleaner engine! And by the way, there are no special "biodiesel filters".
Second, he replaced all the rubber fuel line sections with Viton. This isn't a consideration in vehicles made since the early nineties but again, a small price to pay if you have an older vehicle. The reason for this is that natural rubber tends to degrade in the presence of Biodiesel and heat. The synthetic 'rubber' used in modern vehicles is unaffected.
Finally, during the colder months you will probably want to run a mixture of petroeum diesel and Biodiesel. Biodiesel gels at higher temperatures than regular diesel and in extremely cold weather this could cause starting and drivability problems. If you purchase your Biodiesel it will usually already be blended for your weather, but if you're burning home made Biodiesel you may need to add a percentage of conventional diesel during the colder months. How much will have to be determined by tial and error on your part.
Can I use biodiesel in my car? The answer is certainly!
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