24.08.06 Would you opt for biodiesel?

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359 comments 2247 votes

Biodiesel is a type of fuel created from plants (e.g. rapeseed, soybean and sunflower) that can be used in modified diesel car engines instead of diesel. Benefits include:

It is cheap to produce.
It is cheaper to buy than diesel.
It can be grown anywhere in the world.
It is more environmentally friendly as it produces low or no CO2 emissions.
Biodiesel production could have a positive effect on our ailing agricultural industry.

Even sunflower oil off a supermarket shelf can be used as a biodiesel. Some diesel engines (do not try this without very thorough research!) are believed to be able to run on biodiesel without any modification.

So why do car manufacturers not produce cars which run on biodiesel? The fuel has been here for decades if not centuries! Yet we continue to rely on oil from underground which is environmentally damaging and costs an arm and a leg for UK motorists.

If biodiesel is so amazing, then why have governments not supported it more? Why have car manufacturers not made biodiesel compatible engines? Why is it not readily available on the forecourts?

Biodiesel has become a really hot topic. The consumer feels hugely let down by corporations with vested interests and ineffective government backing for these cleaner fuels.

Would you use biodiesel if it were available locally?
We need to know more…

Do you currently use biodiesel in your vehicle?
Are you making great savings on your fuel costs?
Do you refine your own biodiesel from waste vegetable oil?

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We are a small producer of Biodiesel based in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire.

We produce our Biodiesel from only used cooking oils.

Our biodiesel is cheaper than petroleum based diesel. We have a laboratory within our warehouse, in which we test every batch of biodiesek made to ensure that it meets the standards specified in the European Standard Requirements. We can also provide a service to other producers of biodiesel, where they can send in a sample of a batch and we will test it for them.

We feel the reason that the Government are not doing a great deal to advance the use of Biodiesel has a lot to do with the amount of tax they charge on regular disel, whereas they would not be able to justify that amount of tax on an environmentally friendly alternative fuel.

We are currently compiling names for a petition to send to the Government in the hope that they may reconsider the amount of duty they charge on biodiesel. The current duty stands at 27.1p per litre, but once we have paid VAT on top of that, the Government are getting around 40p per litre from us. The duty on Liquified Petroleum Gas is only 12p per litre, yet the emissions are lower from Biodiesel and Biodiesel is produced from a renewable source, unlike LPG, which is a by product of cracking crude oil.

If you would like to put your name on our petition, please send your full name and postcode to hebdenbiofuel@btconnect.co.uk with 'Petition' in the subject field.

Posted by Alexie Beesley, 22nd September 2006 3:47pm

I have run my 2003 Nissan Primera on Bio diesel and it runs fine.The only problem is a 10 mile round trip to get .There,s not enough outlets selling it,plus its not that much cheaper( 90p litre)

Posted by Eddie Bone, 23rd September 2006 6:27pm

This comment has been removed as it was found to be in breach of our Blog Policies.

This comment has been removed as it was found to be in breach of our Blog Policies.

I too would love to use (and have available) BioDiesel and I can't understand the lethargy in this country to a) produce and sell it and b) to realise that our artificially inflated Diesel prices are effecting all of us with a higher cost of living. The bottom line is the cost of Diesel (not petrol) directly influences the price we pay for goods and services.
With such a simple means available to us to not only reduce the cost but better still reduce the environmental impact, I fail to see why we are dragging our feet so much. Diesel Car magazine reported heavily on the pros of this many many years ago (back when it was a decent read).
My only slight worry is that VAG (VW,Seat,Audi,Skoda) say the BioDiesel should NOT be used in TDI's. I drive a Leon TDI and would be worried of ruining the costly PD injectors. Otherwise, bring it on!

Posted by Iain C, 26th September 2006 10:24pm

We use bio diesel in our Toyota Surf no problems at all and it even smells like a barby on a nice hot summer s day.

Posted by Karen Mahoney, 27th September 2006 7:47pm

I used bio diesel for about 6 months in a Toyota Corolla that was about 6 years old. Toyota engineers were pussled by the fuel during a service.

I could not afford a new diesel car so opted for a new petrol Yaris but
would prefer bio-diesel if given the option.

Posted by Frederick Creed, 27th September 2006 10:42pm

We currently run 4 vehicles on Biodiesel. They are 2002 Golf tdi 100, 2001 Polo 3cylinder 1.4 tdi,2000 Mondeo 1.8 tdi Estate,and 1997 Leguna 2.2 non turbo. All run well on Bio,but the Polo will only run on a 50-50 mix,while all the others run on 100 per cent ..There is no problem with starting,although we add 5 per cent of unleaded petrol in the very cold weather.

Posted by T.w.brown, 27th September 2006 11:03pm

This comment has been removed as it was found to be in breach of our Blog Policies.

This comment has been removed as it was found to be in breach of our Blog Policies.

This comment has been removed as it was found to be in breach of our Blog Policies.

this is the first I have heard of Biodiesel. Why on earth, as the article says, have we not been researching into this for common usage? Let us hear more about it.

Posted by Maureen Hallsworth, 29th September 2006 10:15am

I work for mercedes and as such have come across many sprinters and vitos on the back of a wagon having been lifted back to the workshop. The owners put bio diesel in, undiluted, and have had varying degrees of success, usually it is the injecetors and the seals that let go first, then the pump, then the electrics cannot handle it, finally it is a piston that picks up on the liner and they need a new engine. One customer was an oil recycler by trade so his fuel costs were zero. Until his van kept stopping on the motorway. What he saved in fuel he certainly spent on repair costs. If using biodiesel i would think it is better if used to water down ordinary white than used 100% neat.

Posted by Simon, 1st October 2006 1:10pm

Bio diesel (methyl esther) is very easy to make from used veg oil and can be made for about 15pence per litre (not including a couple hours of your own labour time). Be aware that it is illegal to use in any road going vehicle if you do not pay fuel duty on it. If the government reduced the fuel duty on bio diesel and encouraged us to use it our air quality would be improved dramatically over night but I suspect that they are in the pockets of the petro chemical manufacturers who have no interest in anything other than carbon fuels. In the mean time I will continue to use bio diesel....my consience is clear knowing that I do not polute the atmosphere with noxious emissions from my vehicle

Posted by Dave Rimmer, 2nd October 2006 9:38pm

This comment has been removed as it was found to be in breach of our Blog Policies.

Whatever type of 'Alternative' fuels are produced, (and regardless of how good they are for the environment) they will be taxed as the government sees fit.
Once again the British motorist will be hammered and taxed to attempt to force us to use public transport - at least that is the excuse that is used time and time again as a reason for inflation busting price hikes.
Remember that regardless of what mixture of pink/red/blue diesel and cooking oil mix you use, if you are putting into your fuel tank, you are required to pay fuel duty on it, so the only cost benefits to be gained are by breaking the law...

Posted by Alan Warden, 4th October 2006 3:20pm

If we could produce a fuel which would mean we didn't have to rely on terrorist run countries for there fuel then surely we should be doing it. Is some one just plain dumb at number 10. er sorry that answers its self.

Posted by Deanosoton, 4th October 2006 10:32pm

i have already looked into this and will certainly use it when it is more readily available to me

Posted by Simon Deards, 5th October 2006 12:57pm

Anyone know if a 98 Mercedes 220D would run ok with BioDiesel.
It would be great not to have most of the fuel cost going to the Government.

Posted by Natty Mck, 6th October 2006 4:05pm

Hi,

have in the past run a xantia Hdi on biodiesel upto 65% without anyproblems what so ever. I think the biggest problem when moving to biodiesel is that people put more than 5% in at a time. To convert / ween your car of standard diesel and onto bio diesel do it as a gradual process 5,10,20,30% at fill ups. then you shouldn't have any problems.

Posted by Andy Dean, 6th October 2006 9:54pm

More of a question than a comment, since I admit to not knowing too much on this topic.

A recent press article said that we humans are now consuming more food than we can produce for the first time in history (planet wide). If this is true is it wise to be talking about producing fuel at the expense of a greater need? i.e. The need to eat to live!

This is a genuine question and would appreciate a reasoned response.

Posted by Phil Bell, 10th October 2006 2:49pm

I use Bio-diesel to run my car, been running on it for the last 3 months, done a little over 4,000 miles and the only change I made to my car was to change the fuel filter (£16) My car run's very well on the stuff and smells better too :-) save a few quid and help mother earth at the same time.

Posted by Alex Higgins, 14th October 2006 6:54pm

Am an Enginieering MSc student, Current group engineering project is to design a bio diesel process for domestic use. Would appreciate some comments with market related issues:

Would you buy such a processor if the price was right and the process simple enough to understand?

What would you consider a reasonable cost to be if the system could save 50% or more of your total yearly domestic energy costs (Road transpoprt fuel, heating, electricity)? £1500 - £2,499, £2,500 - £4,000- or more? (including installation and training)

Please post comments, it will help with the project. Ta


Posted by Trevor Jenkins, 18th October 2006 2:52pm

I've been running on Rape seed oil, sunflower oil and bio fuel for years, My vehicle smells like a chip shop when stopped at trafic lights, it runs and sounds noticably smoother and has no difference in power..
When i use new oil from the supermarket then pay customs and excise there bit it works out more expensive then diesel, some of the Bio fuel pumps that have sprung up can be 20p a litre of more cheaper though.
My intention is to grow my own fuel and use it for the car and to heat the house.
Im thinking that people using up all the old oil from chip shops etc is great, a second use from a product,, but if we were to all drive on new oil me thinks there would be problems, such huge areas would have to be used for this i cant see it would be possible, but if we do the car sharing etc and try and cut down on un neccicary driving well be helping ourselfs and the people of the future, hopefully engine tecnoligy will improve and cars will get reeley effficiant in the future, maybee well all be driving papermachay mobiles with solar pannels on the roof, or well get rid of the car and have a teleporter?? who knows..

Posted by Markey, 1st November 2006 4:30am

I Certainly would if it was within reasonable cost to convert my car, at nearly £55 every week, it breaks my heart to fill it - And its only a 1.6 Focus TDci

Posted by Stuart Cakebread, 1st November 2006 9:59am

If this government were really serious about the environment, instead of thinking of ways to get more of our money, they would make bio fuels and other friendly fuels such as LPG more readily available and the cost of conversions a lot cheaper.
Unfortunateley I dont see this happening any day soon as the recent scaremongering about the environment is an ideal way to up taxes on everything, for what reason?.

Posted by Alex Mason, 5th November 2006 12:06pm

I don't see any problem with it if you use local oil / old chip shop oil etc. However, those people that would use it just because it is so-called "greener" should think again. Where would the oil come from in the petrol stations? Half way around the world from Indonsia or Brazil etc, where the rainforests are being removed in order to grow crops for this. Doesn't this defeat the object - enhances global warming and greenhouse gases, and the shipping of fuel half way around the world. I think we should be very careful about buying into this unless we really know where it's come from.

Posted by Sd, 9th November 2006 10:17am

People within the biodiesel are working at ways of getting oil from alternative sources. Algae oil is currently a favourite with a yeald of up to 1000 higher than rapeseed. Lack of funding by our govenment means it up to us to work it out ourself.
Other option for the future is Jatropha oil, the Jatropha tree will grow in african and indian climates where food wont grow.. waste land and bad quality soil. Imagine an oportunity for africa and india to produce oil to make fuel from.. it already happening but just not shouted about.. do some google searches.

In the mean time we need to use virgin oil, canola, n rapeseed to kick start the industry, we need to fund chemists who ar working on additives to prevent gelling in the cold, and lengthen shelf life.
It is in it's infancy but to claim we shouldnt carry on becasue of the rain forest is redicoulous, our priority is soursing oil and finding an alternative to methanol, such as bio ethanol.

Posted by Tim, 13th November 2006 5:11pm

I've done a bit of research into bio diesel and hope these comments are helpful.

Apparently all Audi diesel cars produced after 2004 can run on Bio diesel. There are categories of bio diesel ranging from B5 B20 To B100. The numbers represent the amount of bio diesel in the mix, so B5 contains 5 percent bio diesel and 95 percent fossil diesel. B100 is 100 percent bio diesel. Audis post can run on B100 (but please do you own research !) Mercedes approve their diesel engines to run on B5 at the moment.

Bio diesel is more corrosive than fossil diesel and this effects rubber components in the car. This is why it is not a good idea to run your pre 1974 diesel engine on it as it can corrode the rubbers. The other fall back is that it appears to clog the injectors. This is not a problem as long as you use an additive.

When you do finally take the plunge a put bio D in your tank you must change the fuel filter simply because the bio D is a better solvent than fossil D and tends to pick up all the old crud in the diesel tank after 1000 miles.
There are no sulphur gases released as Bio D does not contain them in any real quantities unlike fossil D. It is even my environmentally friendly than fossil D as it is harvested from crops a percentage of which gives you oil and the rest can be used as a feedstuff for animals! The only drawback from an eco perspective is where and how the crops are grown to produce the oil for the bio D. Some countries that produce palm oil actively encourage deforestation to plant palm trees (madness!).

Fuel performance is exactly the same and there are no particulates produced (which can be carcinogenic).

You can even make this stuff yourself but have to pay good old Custom and Excise tax. Currently 28.35p litre (just the tax!). If you use bio diesel for producing electricity the tax is only 3p a litre.

Makes me want to go out and by a 4x4 diesel...the only problem is that the green lobby doesn't seem to differentiate between vehicles that run on bio D and fossil D.

After all look at the clean electric car...you plug into the national grid and somewhere down the line a power station pumping out wasted heat and carbon dioxide is recharging your batteries with allegedly "clean fuel".

Hope this helps
Grump old man

Posted by Kurt Coelho, 14th November 2006 10:35pm

Greetings from Thailand. We grow a lot of Palm Oil here and most are privately owned small family farms!!!!! Palm oil plantations are beautiful and contain a wide variety of wild animals and other tropical plants. Our family farm has most vegetables, fruits and meats grown within the Palm Plantation, we even grow a surplus to sell at the local farmers market. Many Palm Plantations are on land that is not suitable for other agriculture crops. NO RAINFOREST DESTRUCTION IS NECESSARY, this is reclaimed unproductive land. Plantations also employ millions of people whose children grow up, attend university, then return to the land to OWN THEIR OWN plantations because it is a wonderful and peaceful way of life. Ultimately, the palm oil should be used as SVO in high efficiency Stirling engines to power a Toyota Prius like hybrid car or truck. Waste agriculture biomass can be converted to ethanol that also burns well in a Stirling engine. In fact a blend of Palm Oil and alcohol burns even cleaner because of the oxygen content. A Stirling engine hybrid has the highest vehicle efficiency and multi fuel use leads to highest energy yield per acre of land. We drive a 100 cc motorcycle most of the time to save energy!!! SVO palm oil in the Isuzu pickup when we need more cargo capacity. Happy in paradise, Alan

Posted by Alan Hulsebus, 14th November 2006 11:01pm

I drive a Hyundai Santa FE (New Model) 2.2 Litre Diesel, and would love to convert it to Rape seed Oil. Does anybody know if this is possible and would there be any loss of performance.

Posted by Eoin Roche, 18th November 2006 10:40am

I Run My escort Van On a mix of Veg Oil From Supermarket and diesel. and pay the duty, so I can fill up in the street with sunflower oil. (makes heads turn)

The Diesel engine was ORIGINALLY DESIGNED TO RUN ON oil.

So why not have
Diesel powered power stations oil.

Diesel powered vehicles running on oil.
Trains, boats, and what about aircraft.!!

Global warming solved,!!!!!!!

Why are we looking at heating matter to a million degrees for fusion etc and nuclear power?


Current oil is shipped all over the world so no difference there.

What about "OIL PLATFORMS" that grow oil. big fields at sea.
The technology exists, just needs scaling up.

Then good bye to the corrupting power of the black stuff. OIl will not equal power any more. We will not be reliant on imports.

Every country will be able to grow some kind of oil.
and there will be so much competition even small land locked countries will get it at a fairer price than they pay now from the cartell.

The future should be bright. Thanks to Heir Diesel.!





Posted by Alan Parker, 22nd November 2006 10:20am

I would use biodiesel if I was sure that it was not going to damage my engine. I drive a Mazda 6 diesel, but find it difficult to obtain information as to the suitability of this fuel for my car. Can anyone enlighten me?

Posted by Mervyn Massey, 25th November 2006 12:35pm

When the diesel engine was invented, it was designed to run on peanut oil, must have been the first form of Bio Diesel!!! But the Crude Oil industry has had the monopily for too long!

Posted by M Marshall, 28th November 2006 6:00pm

ref 173 please advise how to declare / pay the duty?
thanks

Posted by Nigel Baker, 6th December 2006 8:36pm

i have already had my van converted to run on veg oil,bio diesel still harms the enviroment,i use straight veg oil,and it works fine.

Posted by Peter Clarke, 8th January 2007 6:12pm

I am currently running my VW Polo SDi (1997) on 100% Biodiesel. I had no problems until today when my car showed symptoms of fuel starvation. My supplier told me that its recommended that the fuel filter be changed after a couple of hundred miles. That was my mistake. I did not change the fuel filter. I suppose the part has done its job but the poor thing must be quite clogged up for it to pack up like that. Car runs fine unless you put your foot down. Then it just dies and the fuel has to be primed for it to flow again. I have made no modifications to the car and it has run very well for around 1000 miles on biodiesel. It is smoother and slightly nippier but the best part is that it saves me around 12 pounds per month. I know you can get it cheaper but the source seems quite reliable and the fuel consistency is good (so far). The problem with biodiesel is that the amount of land needed to produce a significant supply of fuel is too high to make biodiesel a viable alternative to fossil diesel. Used veg oil is available in relatively small amounts and most of that is taken by the big fuel companies for the 95%/ 5% diesel/ biodiesel mix available these days at most pumps. So if you can find a solid and reliable supply of biodiesel, try it out but dont tell too many people about it!!!

Posted by Awais, 14th January 2007 10:05pm

I have a 2006 Ford Focus 1.8 TDCi Zetec Climate. Is it safe to use 100% biodiesel in this car? Is it safe to use anything less than 100%? Are any conversions needed to allow the use of biodiesel in a greater ratio than the measley 5% that Ford allow in terms of their warranty?

Posted by Babis Gakis, 15th January 2007 2:08pm

Reading through the previous comments, it is clear that we British are very uneducated in the use and benefits of Bio-diesel. Go to Europe and it is readily available at the pumps.
Bio-diesel is made from many different vegetable oils, but not palm oil. The oil has to go through a process of filtering, cleaning and washing before it should be put in your tank. When its gone through this process, each batch is tested to ensure it meets with standard EN 14214. It is not in the interest of bio-diesel producers to make 'bad' bio-diesel.
And finally, you do not have to convert or modify your diesel engine vehicle to run on any mix of bio-diesel. The only thing you may have to do is change the fuel filter after a couple of tank fulls (costs about £15 depending on vehicle make and model), this is due to the sedement which collects in the bottom of your diesel tank from using fossil diesel.
Bio-diesel does clean your engine, and it does make it run smoother, we've been using it for 12 months and think it's fab. It's 80p per litre, its 0% CO2 emissions and its a green. Plus, instead of paying 48p per litre to the government in fuel duty it's only 28p per litre.
My hubby and I have been so impressed with bio-diesel that we are starting our own company, making and selling bio-diesel!

Posted by Bev Bradley, 26th January 2007 10:59pm

All diesel engines will run on bio diesel but it is not that some vehicles can't run on bio it is due to the rubber seals fitted to the engine that some manufactures fit that react to the bio diesel that harden after time. After all the first diesel engine invented run on extracted nut oil. Due to the oil standards (ISO) bio diesel has no classifaction, so manufactures and retailers do not reconise bio diesel. It is time Tony Blair and the labour government moved on this issue and put words into action to reduce carbon emissions and save motorists from further taxes, and he did put legistation on bio diesel with 20% less tax to promote it, it's just a pitty it is so hard to get at the pumps, wonder why?

Posted by David Burrowes, 2nd February 2007 9:09am

I wanted to let you know that Biodiesel is now available in any blend you like from Advanced Green Fuels Ltd who are based in Kings Lynn Norfolk, Sutton Bridge Linconshire and Boston Linconshire, fill up at the pumps or have a home delivery. Their email address is info@advancedgreenfuels.co.uk
I will get their telephone number next time I fill up.

We need to back these independent fuel stations they are not many of them left around.

Posted by Colin Coe, 21st February 2007 1:43am

Yes, if the goverment was to reduce the duty on biodiesel like it is trying to do with bioethanol blends.

I would not pay nearly £1/L for recycled chip oil, when I could but real non CO2 netural diesel fresh from an oil well.

Posted by Jason, 1st March 2007 7:39pm

I work for a voluntary organisation as a Playbus Coordinator. The Playbus is a 30 year old double decker and last year I started using Bio deisel. On the bus it seemed fine except when starting up in a morning. It took longer to get started. I also used Bio in the generator I have to have to run the Fire and smoke alarm also heating and lighting. That was where I hit the problem as the fuel filter needed changing every couple of weeks. The cost was the same as ASDA was charging for deisel. Now the bio deisel station has had to close down as it was LOOSING too much money. It was reported on BBC news North West and despite apeals to the government they would NOT lower the tax or help out in anyway. Let face it the new charges are NOTHING to do with the environment and ALL to do with Greedy Goverments trying to make even more money from the working man OR women

Posted by Bren, 2nd March 2007 10:45pm

good idea not only the stresed points, but more manageable, not relying on other countries to hoik up the price, the downside is it will take a few years to introduce, as governments get a better rake off for petrol.

Posted by David Ryalls, 3rd March 2007 12:58am

they tell us to use renewable fuel but when we try to recycle awaste product we are then taxed for doing so .biodiesel should be made more readily avaible to the public insted of us using petrolium products.I would use bio Diesel but cannot find a supplyer in the local area i would like to recycle the vegitable oil but have been told that this will ont burn in the car without use of a catalist and could ruin the engine .Any body out there Help!!!!!!!!!
the internet is helpfull but no one seems to give you the same anser
P.S sorry my spelling is very poor

Posted by Frank Michael Baines, 14th March 2007 11:23pm

i have an iszuzu 1991 trouper
import do i need to convert my engine to take biodiesel any help please

Posted by E Flynn, 19th March 2007 7:08pm

I have been using biodiesel 100% in my Audi A4 Avant and it runs perfect. 4,500 miles on it with no problems at all. Change over ASAP to save yourself a small fortune.

Posted by Chris, 21st March 2007 5:42pm

i buy diesel in rep/of/ireland, i'm not certain if i can legally mix diesel/veg/oil,i live in northern ireland,i'not sure if legal to mix both as duty paid rep/of/ireland.

Posted by V.mullins, 22nd March 2007 2:38pm

This comment has been removed as it was found to be in breach of our Blog Policies.

Biodiesel is available in Sussex from a company called Viridine in Chailey their website they deliver in Sussex area contact them at info@viridine.co.uk or call them- they were very friendly! 0n 01825 721437.
Their current price was 86.5p litre -

Posted by Julie Gurney, 11th April 2007 4:04pm

Now this is an interesting site something i have been researching & experimenting with for some time now, i own a 2001 Dodge 2500 Quad Cab Pickup with the Cummins 5.9L, and the way this beast drinks the low sulfur hwy. diesel at $3.20 a gal. it's slowly draining my wallet (considering that i purchased this vehicle for the low fuel price LOL). Now i have experimented with the used cooking oils which is too messy & dangerous to produce with all the toxic chemicals at home & used automotive A.T.F. which contaminates the fuel filter too fast so at this point in time it's not cost effective for me to produce biodiesel at home so it would be nice for the states to offer a safer cleaner more cost effective alternative fuel i need my truck and would love not to sell it for the reason of rising fuel costs.

Posted by Rich Garcia, 22nd April 2007 9:01pm

I have a 1992 Land Rover Discovery 200 tdi and use Biodiesel from recycled cooking oil from a local supplier in GT Yarmouth.
No problems at all. Let my diesel light come on then filled the tank. It is no different than if I was using Diesel. Only thing I did was change fuel filter after 100 miles or so as Biodiesel cleans all the gunk out of fuel tank, lines injectors etc.
As long as I can get it I will use it.
Q. How can the government gripe about reducing emissions and the carbon footprint, hit 4x4 drivers with high Road Tax hikes, then "snub" Biodiesel?
It should be encouraged, and made readily available for those that want it.
Then for us who use Biodiesel, reduce our car tax, aswe have less emission that the lowest 1200cc tax band.

Posted by Ricki Snowdon, 23rd April 2007 8:35pm

i've been running rapeseed oil in my car for the last 3 years ...still runs sweet as a nut and still passes any emissions on the mot,the best thing is the price ,as long as your car has a mechanical pump and is deisel it should work!!!!...cheap as chips!!!!!

Posted by Vj Singh, 25th April 2007 10:44am

I have used 100% biodiesel in my peugeot 406 (1997 model) and the only problem I had was that on two occasions I had to replace the glo plugs,the tips were burnt out, this happened both times about 20,000 miles As a taxi driver I clock up 80 to 100,000 miles a year and never had this problem until I used biodiesel.

Posted by Dave Barton, 29th April 2007 8:07am

This comment has been removed as it was found to be in breach of our Blog Policies.

I have driven diesel cars for 15 years and recently purchased a kia sorento I would dearly love to reduce my carbon emmisions, continue driving and of course save money. Why won't our government employ this fuel. I would use Biodiesel from now if it were available and would not harm my car.

Posted by Victor Gordo, 4th May 2007 8:59pm

This comment has been removed as it was found to be in breach of our Blog Policies.

This comment has been removed as it was found to be in breach of our Blog Policies.

I ALSO HAVE A NEW KIA SORENTO AND WOULD LIKE TO HERE FROM ANYONE THAT HAS RUN THERE SORENTO ON BIODIESEL , HAVE SPOKE TO KIA UK BUT THEY SAY THAT NO TESTS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT YET , THEY DID SAY THAT IF I HAD ANY PROBLEMS ON THE FUEL SIDE THAT THE 3YR\WARR WOULD BEEN UP THE WALL!!!!!

Posted by Nigel Pinches, 21st May 2007 12:07pm

I have been running on Bio Diesel for over a year now. The biggest problem is finding places to buy it.

Also finding real compatibilty info, who wants to risk damaging their engine?

Posted by Kevin Storr Storr, 5th June 2007 1:29pm

Just wanted to add.

1. Rudolf Diesel's engine ran on Peanut oil.
2. Why don't we still use it? Mineral Diesel is the waste product from making petrol which is why it used to be a lot cheaper to buy than petrol. Thats was unitl more people started to run diesel cars.
3.The Crude Oil industry are going to have to reduce there carbon emissions by 2008. How by adding Bio Diesel to Derv and adding Bio-Ethanol to petrol.
4.You can't get straight info from the car manufactures ie Merc in the UK will say one thing and Merc in Gemany another.
5.I have read and been told it is not a good idea to run a HDI engine on anything more than B5. Yet I ahve also read of people running B50 or geater.

In general we need some hard facts.

Posted by Kevin Storr Storr, 5th June 2007 2:01pm

This comment has been removed as it was found to be in breach of our Blog Policies.

i strongly believe that the powers that be dont push the biodiesel option is because it all comes down to money and control as it was quoted by someone (i dont know who) he who controls the oil, controls the world, i cannot believe that we are being financially punished for using vehicles which effect the enviroment when this can be easily solved by changing to a much cleaner fuel! so instead of taxing us more and more help people to use bio fuels!
I run a tdi land rover and realy do want to use vegatable oil or bio diesel but bio diesel is difficult to find and it is expensive and daunting to convert to veg oil, which requires two tanks to switch between reular diesel and veg oil, heat exchangers to heat up the veg oil to a viscosity so that it wont destroy the injection pump and take out other things in the engine when it seizes up and strips the cam belt etc,
it has echoes of converting a petrol engine to run on lpg which is also cleaner and cheaper to produce than petrol but the powers that be dont seem to care!
Frustrating!!!!

Posted by Mark Richardson, 11th June 2007 6:47pm

Hi Everyone, I run biodiesel in my Peugot 306 TD and it runs like a dream. I have been running on it for several months, after about 1000 miles I changed the fuel filter as advised by my supplier. I have had the fuel filter checked since and it's clean as a whistle ! I'm very happy with the product, I just wish it was more readily available on the high street so to speak. I buy in bulk now and have a small pump to transfer to my car. I have noticed the fuel consumption has actually gone down too ! So saving me more money and helping the environment at the same time ! If you have problems getting it email me as I'm looking at making my own fuel soon. Adam

Posted by Adam Brown, 4th July 2007 12:33pm

i run a vw polo on B100 and it goes alrite. i make the biodiesel myself and i
feel that the total glycerine content has to reach ASTM standard for any vechicle to run on biodiesel or it,s blends.

Posted by Conor Mckee, 23rd July 2007 9:35am

I work for a company that produces bio-diesel. We all run our vehicles on it. Land Rover 200Tdi (J), Isuzu Trooper (L), Vauxhaull Vectra (T), Nissan Terrano (05 & 04). The only problems we have ever had is the usual fuel filter blockage after the first few tank fulls. Most of the vehicles run on 100% all the time. The land rover even ran 100% over the winter with no waxing problems at all. The majority of our customers have said that they have had decreased fuel consumption as well as increase in power. My Landy went from 200miles per 55 litre tank to 260 miles!!!

Posted by Matt Powell, 7th August 2007 8:25am

I'm sure most folks know by now but the good news is as of June 30th we no longer need pay tax on biofuel! There is a per person allowance of 2500 litres of the stuff which between me and my girlfriend works out to about 20,000 of free driving. Very nice!

Posted by Scott Goodwin, 11th August 2007 7:45pm

I have been surfing all over the net trying to find out if SVO can be used with a heater kit on my Escort 1.8D. The thing i found is that Lucas/CAV pumps can become faulty. It seems that oil in the pump when cold causes damage to the pump on first startup. but is this using a pre-heat kit to warm the SVO? It seems the system needs to run on Diesel for the last 2 mins of driving to flush out the SVO so starting or damage won't be a problem. I also found that Bosch pumps are better at coping with SVO. And that Asda sell some of the cheapest oil. Also one of the cheapest kits around is £150 but it does not use a 2 tank system so SVO remains in the pump and the full 2 tank system can cost about £500 DIY, . Not converted yet what can you tell me about Lucas/CAV using a pre-heating system is it OK?

Posted by Trev Dfield, 17th August 2007 1:04pm

I hadn't heard about the no tax rule see Scotts comment - where is this written what's the catch? I looked on the goverment site and it says there is still tax on biofuels. I hope this info is true as it would be a very welcome tax break for producers or small time customers...tell me more!

Posted by Julie Gurney, 21st August 2007 2:22pm

The following cars run perfect on 100% bio-diesel----- BMW 320d, BMW 530d , Volkswagen Eos, Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0litre diesel,interesting to note that Jeep fit a Mercedes diesel which some people say they have had problems with,so I don't understand. All the above cars were bought new and have now covered a minimum of 35000 miles each
Yes, it is a fact that you can produce 2500 litres of biodiesel for your own personal use without having to pay duty.I am a small commercial producer of biodiesel and I was notified in July of the above,unfortunatly I produce more than that so I still have to pay.

Posted by John Wilson, 21st August 2007 9:36pm

have looked at the cost of buying a biodiesel kit but have noticed that they have gone up in price so we are being riped off on both sides. P.S. any body got any ideas on how to make your own kit.

Posted by Frank Michael Baines, 6th September 2007 5:22am

This comment has been removed as it was found to be in breach of our Blog Policies.

I am a 25 yr. old man looking to start a local buisness collecting, refining and selling the finished product of used veg. oil. I need some info on how to go about starting this indevor. how to refine the oil in large enough quantities to sustain the buisiness, and gathering the funds to kick this off. I would like to make this work and I have no money to do it. if anyone has any suggestions please contact me via e-mail or phone 517-898-6687. This is my dream of being successful in life.
Thank you very much,
Jason Dunham

Posted by Jason Dunham, 23rd September 2007 8:38pm

Hi - I currently run my VW T4 1.9d N/96 on 100% biodiesel bought from Viridine in east Sussex they deliver 100 litres at a time for 86.5p per litre (01825721437) Initially I was wary and started the percentage mix low, but now I pump 50 litres at a time (running from my electric drill pump thingy powered by the 240v inverted from the running engine - so no spillages)
I am looking forward to next years MOT emissions test as the engine runs very sweetly at present, and I have heard somewhere that if you have low vehicle emissions then you may be able to pay less road tax (bring this on)
I am currently researching the best additive to put in the fuel for the winter months - as I don't want to pre-heat etc. (but will if most cost effective)
Anyhow as long as there is a government they will find a way to tax us for whatever we do - go self employed and get a good accountant 'nuff said!!!!
I do carry a spare 5 litre jerry can of derv around just in case, but so far I have been very happy with Viridine fuels and their service - I just wish that like all things this issue was clear cut - low tax, renewable low carbon footprint items, but as with all things money is the big thing and the governments and large oil companies (or is that the same thing??? ;-)) seem to suppres, confuse and twist any information available to us, sadly it us the end user who suffers - yes we want to do something for the planet - especially for our kids, but until we just get on with it and stop blowing hot air (like the governent) we must make up our own minds and act - its a simple case of supply and demand.
Unfortunately we live in an extremely consumerist world and this will continue to spiral until something drastic happens, most people don't care, or just pay lip service to this latest 'green' thing - we are increadibly slack with recycling, alternate energy and cutting down on fossil fuel usages etc - just look how many vehicles only have 1 person in them!!!!

Anyhow I digress, each and everyone of you must make a conscious effort to adjust your life and lifestyle, this is for the long term - reduce, recycle and reuse are much hyped, you don't have to do too much to make a change, but every step taken in the right direction is a right one.

'Come the revolution it will all get sorted!!!'

cheers Mat

Posted by Mat Walden, 30th September 2007 1:15pm

Have read most of the foregoing comments because I have just started to encounter a problem with my 2001 Toyota Hiace 2.4D, which I have been running on 100% biodiesel for 10 months. Changed the fuel filter element as recommended after the first tankful, no problem since , until today (or had I noticed some slowing down last week and thought it was just the effect of driving against a gale...?) when the Hiace slowed almost to a crawl on a long but not particularly steep hill. It would normally sail up there in 4th, but waslabouring on its knees at 3000 rpm in 2nd ! I turned round and came home, whereupon the thing went all right - downhill and on the flat ! Any ideas, especially about Toyotas and bidodiesel ?




down to that

Posted by Daniel Richard Baily, 30th September 2007 4:52pm
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