Would you opt for biodiesel?

I have used my Mitsubishi spacestar, 53 plate, on 100% bio for a few years until my supplier moved away. I used an additive to allow it's use at -20degC over winter (one time the outside temp was -11 and I was still running).
The only problem I had was running at below 0degC without the antiwax additive (kerosene works too, but use only a very small quantity), and I had to change my fuel filter after 1,000 miles when I first used it.
If anyone knows where I can get biodiesel in Swindon??

I had an 04 Citroen Xsara 2.0 HDI VTR, I ran it on 100% biodiesel throughout 2008 (Covered about 40k miles) without any issues.

Stopped using Bio diesel when the garange I bought it from closed down.

hello i have a nissan terrano 54 Reg 2.7 TDI can this vehicle run on biodiesel,has anybody had any problems whilst running on this fuel.

thanks Rob

hello i have a nissan terrano 54 Reg 2.7 TDI can this vehicle run on biodiesel,has anybody had any problems whilst running on this fuel.

thanks Rob

typical labour govt bio fuel costs 20p to maufacture costs of chemical additives electricity ect they add 36p per litre duty (if your stupid enough to tell them you are using bio fuel) they didnt tell us about the expenses for moats and 2nd mortgages did they FUNNY that an mp lying surely not!!!!! yet if you were to say not pay tax or sign on while working it straight to jail or big fine!!! they where goingbto put up the tax to make it the same as normal diesel jus like they keep hiking up lpg tax but hey theres an election soon ps i jua spoke to a woman at apple fuels glasgow cars older than 15yrs wont work the worst that happens is dirt from the tank wil clog up the fuel filter !!! simply buy new one or clean it!! £14 if you make your own £62 if you buy it OR £120 FOR GORDON BROWNS RIP OFF DIESEL!! AFTER ALL THE BANK BAIL OUTS AND WARS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN ARENT CHEAP

Nicky,

I'm saying this can't be due to the bio diesel but I'd be interested to know where you're getting ' clean' diesel from as I think you'll find all diesel sold at forecourts as part of a goverment legislation includes at 5% bio anyway (might be 2.5% can't remember), therefore I suspect it was the quality of the fuel and not the bio otherwise sure all Leon FR 's would be in the same position? - oh and golfs because they've got the same engine I believe?

I have a 08 plate Leon FR as a company car. Our site fuel is only 5% bio which I was using for 2 years. For the last year the car would completely cut out when driving (around roundabouts, motorways etc) with my child in the car. It was in the garage over 20 times and in the end I refused to drive it. Someone with a brain then diagnosed Piston failures due to the bio. These were changed 6 months ago and I now run on clean diesel. Now the expensive part, the car last week needed a new turbo and DPF system as the bio killed it. The car stunk of exhaust fumes.

Richard

If it is the puma engine then I'm not sure bit if its the one produced by psa group as per the ford 1.6 tdci then psa warranty it for 30% and I'm sure 100% is fine?

Hi there
i have been reading alot of conflicting reports on here regarding "bio-diesel", i am intending to make "proper" bio-diesel via processing WVO or SVO into FAME / RME (bio diesel) that meets the EN14214:2009 standard. However, what is still not clear to me is the compatibility with the elastomer seals on some fuel pumps and injector systems. I have a 06 Mondeo 2.0 TDCi with DELPHI injectors and pump. Even DELPHI's engineering / techincal department cannot decide / confirm whether the pump / injector seals are compatible with the bio diesel EN 14214 standard. i intend to run B100 after purging the fuel system of any mineral crud. I see people on here running TDCi's on a good grade of fuel without any problems, but others are not so fortunate. Can anyone shed any light on this, before i start to fill up??

hi
I also thought it was great for Morrisons to take the initiative and have been filling up with Bio since they sold it, but to my dismay last week the bio diesel pumps at both the Coventry Sites were tagged out of order.
yesterday I found out why. i was told hat Morrisons have decided to discontinue the Bio Diesel the reason is that the government have cancelled the tax incentive and it would now rise to the same price as normal fossil diesel, there fore the decision has been made to discontinue the product.

every turn that enables the consumer to act for the safety of the planet once agian comes down to money tax back for Morrisons and the Government.

another true picture of the money grabbing politicians we allow to run our country. I would rather waste a vote in the election than vote any of the so called politicians and their parties in to power, they say what the electorate wants to hear to get in then do a 180 degree to line and feather their own nests financially whilst stitching up the electorate with high taxes and costs of living, high fuel prices.

Hannes

you've just confirmed what I thought about my wifes picasso 1.6 hdi being the same as my mates focus 1.6 tdci.
it would also appear that me being chuffed that my wifes car now having done 18k miles on home made B100 is no big deal - certainly when compared to your 100k km on B100 - well done, you are a super star!

The DLD-416 motor also known as the DV6 is the same motor used in Ford Fiesta, Focus, Citroen, Pegeot and Volvo. Ford names it a tdci and the French hdi. All one and the same. My Fiesta 1.6tdci has just passed the 100K km service running on pure home B100 from day one. The only problems were from the drive-by-wire throttle electrical system, and that seems to be a general problem and not related to any fuel used.

Robert,

Sorry to hear the bad (and expensive news) however I do wonder whether someone might have taken advantage of your situation ie used the fuel as an excuse. my wifes citreon 1.6 hdi (16v 110ps) has now covered 18k miles on pure home made bio. bear in mind also that the psa engines (which I believe includes the peugeot 307) carry a warranty to run 30% bio ?

an anyone tel;l me if they know of 2.5 turbo diesel Ford Transits year 1997 will run on biodiesel
Thanks

I have was using Morrisons 30% bio every other tank for my Pergeot 307 HDI initially no problems and the car seemed to run better on it. Quieter, more perky performance and better MPG. However, the car seemed a bit sluggish end of Nov Dec. In late december I filled my tank with 30% biodiesel and 20 miles down the road it cut out anti polution warning light came on and the car would start but would cut out again and again. I put the car in for a diagnostic in a local Pergeot Garage who told me the damage was done by fuel contamination. After 10 days unvestigation I have a bill for £3.500 to repair the damage done. Morrisons say it's not their fuel. Beware!!

...Anyone making their own biodiesel need any used veg oil ? I have just over 800 litres of good quality used oil reada to process for sale. Included are 2X 600 litre Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC's) all for £250.
Phone 07542 760657. NE England. Buyer to collect.

I have been making Bio Diesel from home for the last 18 months, formed a little collective of like minded soles who all benefit from end product. They each process their own oil so are entitled to their 2500 ltrs p.a., tax free fuel allowance. We run 300 TD Mercs, Disco's, Jeeps, and Transit vans, all on 100% in the summer and 75/80% in the winter. The fuel is processed to a european standard. If your engine runs on fossil fuels it will run on bio diesel, they have to be taught, and you do need to change your fuel filter after 4 / 6 weeks. This is a pure fuel which is why you have to change your filter, as so much muck comes out of your fuel sysytem once you start using it. To many people have car faults, and blame the fuel for something that was about to go anyway. The savings to your family budget, and the planet are fantastic, so research your car, or change it to a model with a proven history, and look into forming a collective, and start paying about 25p per litre, whilst cutting your emissions to almost zero. Interested in more info? send me a line.

TESCO DONT USE BIODIESEL

I WOULD THINK THOUSAND OF VAUXHALL DIESEL CARS AND VANS FILL UP AT TESCO EVERY DAY FINE
ITS NOT THE DIESEL IT MUST BE YOUR ENGINE OR PUMP
AND TESCO DONT US BIODIESEL

with the diesel vauxhalls 2.0 and 2.2dti they do not like it will not run on it at all

when filling up with tesco diesel mine does not like it and tescos has a biodiesel content

343
i use 50 - 100% biodiesel in T reg Audi A4 Tdi and it currently costs me 95p / litre. I am doing it to help planet not to save money.

Do you think you are saving the planet if you do you are mad we are just a tiny country of less than 60 million .

Take a look at north and south america,china,india,pakistan and the rest of the world first.Us in the uk and europe live in a dream world we can not change a thing without the rest of the world helping us.

Well i have read it all and i have been running my berlingo 1.6 hdi for 25.000 mile from new on 75% tesco diesel and 25% tesco veg oil all ok i think
been in for a service

hi peter i brought a processer a year ago for £900 to process used veg oil to biodiesel with the methonal and pottasiom hydroxide it costs me about 40p per ltr and yes i do use it neat a saving of 70p per ltr from the pump diesel and have winterised it to about -20 .bio diesel is a lot thinner than new veg oil and diesel cars run great on it but not sure on brand new cars as they have loads of sensers on them but been told even new cars shouldn,t have a problem at 50/50. veg oil i think will cause you alsorts of problems as it is thicker and may block your injecters be more sluggish so unless you get your car converted by a specialist i wouldnt do it. also you are allowed to make 2500 ltrs a year of bio diesel before you pay tax i make about 150ltrs a month so well in the limit hope that helps ,Dave

hi david
Are you running 100 percent bio diesel or 100% veg oil
Thank you pete

hi peter if you meant veg oil instead of bio diesel 100% no dont do it will ruin you engine and you will have wasted all that money

hi peter it will run on 50/50 on an hdi engine but all brand new cars it will affect your warranty you need to find out if your make of car will let you run a percentage of bio with out affecting your warranty .if your car breaks down and you are running bio diesel and even if it has nothing to do with running bio diesel they might still use this as a excuse not to fix your car under warranty .I personally wouldnt use bio in a brand new car for this reason but you can ask the dealer if the manafacturer agrees with a percentage. saying that i am running 100 percent bio diesel in a 04 plate hdi engine and running great but make sure you add a winter additive coldflow 350 at a rate of at least 200ml to 50ltrs of bio diesel if running neat if mixing with pump diesel no need to add this

hi
can i run my brand new berlingo 1.6 hdi on 100% veg oil or do you think 50/50 would be best
thank you

i use 50 - 100% biodiesel in T reg Audi A4 Tdi and it currently costs me 95p / litre. I am doing it to help planet not to save money.

Ii have run home made bio diesel made fome used veg oil in a p reg laguna and a peugoet 406 t reg for a year no problem at all apart from a fuel filter change after a month and plan to run it 100 % bio this winter as i add a winer additive tha stays liquid at - 22 in my freezer

Hi.
I have just bought a Mercededs 270 cdi onn a04 plate could any one tell me if it could be run on biofuel.
Cheers.
Gazza.

Good evening. The best way out is always through.
I am from Taiwan and learning to read in English, give please true I wrote the following sentence: "Reynard finished cart in 1994 and immediately second relatively named lola from the weekend, bom mastercard mosaik."

With best wishes :(, Stuart.

I have a 2007 cherokee 2.8crd will this vehicle run on straight oil mixed with regular derv? or will i have to find a regular bio derv producer?

I would like to run my 2002 2.0 zifira on 50 50 cooking oil and diesel could come one advise me on how to do it properly and what do i need to do to convert it or can i put it strait in my car

Will(iam) ?

I'm a little intrigued how you make your bio so cheap (or have you rounded every thing down)?
also if you don't mind me asking how do you make it (home made equipment, filtering etc) and where do you get your oil from and where abouts are you based? - I reckon the best I'm doing is about 25p / ltr.

I have 2 landrover discovery`s 300tdi`s both running on my homemade bio
one of them has done in excess of 40,000 miles, no problems so far , changed filters fairly soon after going on to the bio at the start, in winter i blend the bio with roughly 10 -15% mineral diesel to ease any starting problems. Engine power would be a faction down but very very little, slighly less miles per gallon, exhaust smoke greatly reduced and well price what do i say 15p a litre you have to be insane not to use it

Thomas,

just thought you might like to know that alot of the Morrisons stores sell B30, and if the bio is of a decent quality you'll find it runs just fine on B100 - except perhaps if/when it gets really cold during the winter.

I am just off the telephone to Peugeot UK Coustomer Support.
I enquired about the use of biodeisel in my 2005 Reg 407 HDI.
I was informed that the use of BioDeisel up to B30 would be fine to use.
At the moment only B10 is available in the UK.
Weather i decide to use the fuel is another matter.
Hope this helps.

i have used 100% "recycled" biodiesel (produced in Rochdale, Lancashire BIOFLO) in my VW Caravelle 2002 2.5tdi with no problems at all (down a touch on power & mpg only issue.) Best bit was 100% reduction on emissions (verified with MOT emissions test)
Have also used 100% Rapeseed based pure Biodiesel (produced in UK) this stuff was awsome as good as BP & Shell performance diesel. But lost touch with supplier when They went into liquidation.
Now using Morrison B30 Biodiesel - this seems to be happy medium. Quality assured and points too. Would expect 20% reduction in emissions - will verify at next MOT.

Nathan,

interesting. you're right about the electricity although I'm a little surprised it takes 5.5 hrs for just 120ltrs. I have a 6 kw heater and it takes less than 3 hrs to heat 400 ltr? that equates to about £2.70 (0.675p / ltr - not alot).

Not sure where you are located but have a look on the net for Tennants distribution. they seem there or there about for cost on meth and pot.

£500 for the dry wash !! how many litres is that good for?
have you considered Eco2pure (filtertechnik)
I reckon is works out at £50 for 15kg which is good for circa 2500 - 3500 ltrs
after a few media changes it might work out cheaper? - good results too.

Hi All

Just thought I would add my experience. So here we go... I decided to try Bio fuel last November ('08). I bought an old car (Citroen Xsara '98), a 2nd hand 120 litre machine (£800 - GR120 Golden Ray) and got started. I've learnt the following:

Most machines for less than 3k new are amateur in construction and produce 2nd rate diesel - ok for an old banger.

Many machines out there rely on a water wash process once the oil has been converted (using methoxide). This doesn't remove all traces of Glycerol, Soaps etc. To achieve better diesel (suitable for modern cars) modifications are needed. This is likely to add another £900 - £1000 to costs.

Chemicals need to be bought in bulk to be cost efficient. 205 litres at a time Methanol, 25KG per go Potassium Hydroxide and 25KG of Resin dry wash = nearly £500.

You also need to calculate the never advertised costs of processing your oil such as, electricity. A typical machine uses an immersion tank type element, which remains on for 5 1/2hours plus a pump that runs for 4 hours. Plus 200 litres of water (if metered) and a chunk of time approximately 4 hours intervention for 120 litres. Not sure after all this whether it's worth it, although it is an absolute pleasure to drive duty free!

Anyone know anything about ethanol producers or production?

Lee,

the fact its common rail doesn't really have any bearing on the issue so long as its good quality fuel and the temperature isn't too low for it to thicken (you'll then require additives). I've run a common rail on b100 and others I know plus 327 above (Andrew) - the fiesta 1.6tdci is a common rail.
that said I've heard Vauxhalls do shows problems with bio-diesel. I don't know what problems or why or if there's even any truth in what I heard? - sorry can't help really. There's loads on the internet however so I'm sure you'll find something......

hi there im looking at buying a vauxhall signum 3.0 v6 diesel, i have read up about the car and it says it has a common rail engine and fuel system, would i be able to run it on bio diesel?? or is there anywhere i could find out if i can run it on bio?? many thanks Lee

Andrew.
I couldn't agree more !
Not only is there alot of misconception still over what bio diesel really is but I believe there's alot of poor quality fuel out there. I make a small amount for myself and believe what I now produce is of a very good quality (it's wasn't to start with) and although I've not done huge mileage on it my wifes car has now covered in excess of 10,000 miles on pure bio with no percievable difference and she's got a 1.6 common rail engine as found in the Ford Focus 1.6 tdci. The fuel filter was changed once after 4-5k miles on bio because I thought I shoud rather than needed to and to behonest I think it was wasted money.

We are a Commercial Removals Company based in Bristol. 'McKeown Business Moves Ltd. We started to refine waste cooking oil into bio diesel 2 years ago and now run our entire fleet on it and now sell it to the public.
If the Bio Diesel is refined correctly it will have no adverse effects on the motor or pumps. The only downside is that you have to change the fuel filter more often, particularly in the winter and it is better to mix bio diesel with fossil diesel in the winter as bio diesel waxes up at higher temperatures.
From reading enteries here I see that some people have had problems when using Bio diesel in their vehicles.
There has been a surge in people making bio diesel and selling it. In my experience the problems people have suffered is a result of the bio diesel being made incorrectly.
Bio Diesel is not fat, it is not pure vegetable oil. To make BIO DIESEL Vegetable oil is put through a chemical reaction process which takes out the harmful elements which may cause pumps to fail and filters to block etc.
When it isnt done correctly you will get problems.
We have no problems with any of the 14 vehicles in our fleet, ranging from LGV's to small cars, because we make in correctly!

I have a Ford Fiesta 1.6 tdci 2007 and put it onto b100 home made bio right from the first tank. Now on 62000km and still happy. However, the diesel filter is most expensive and not so simple to replace. I only put the best bio I produce in this car.

I have a 1997 Toyota Landcruiser vx 1hdft bought 2nd hand with 230000miles on the clock and it has been running on b100 since then. Now on 330000miles and still very happy. Even the bio I produced over the years with the not so good results went into this tank. Diesel filter is not expensive and easy to replace.

I'm ready to start making bio but am little scared on the how much lye to use on WVO and SVO. what would be the best way to produce high quality bio?

I guess this is obvious. It doesn't really matter where the bio is made, home brew or otherwise - its all down to quality.
I produce homebrew for myself and wife and although I stand to be corrected I would suggest its of a very high quality (wasn't to start with).
If the quality is right I would suggest your fiesta like my wifes 1.6hdi Picassao(common rail - very similar to your 1.6tdci) will run fine 50/50 and even upto 100% during the warmer months. After several months of not making any my wifes will be going back onto 100% very soon (already done about 7k miles on 100%).

I have a 2007 Ford Fiesta 1.6 TDCI, I want to start using biodiesel.
is it recommended to use home made bio?

Be careful of rip-off garages, its so easy to get a blocked fuel filter (an inexpensive fix) the garage can then just rip you off for all sorts of unecessary repairs (which they may not even carry out). Its just their word against yours! And remember they are the EXPERTS (I dont think).
Particularly the £3,600 repair bill (303). Sounds suspicious, I would have asked for the damaged parts back and a full written report from the engineer.

Steve / Daniel,

hopefully some of this will be of interest to you. I bought rather a processor rather than trying to make but the results potentially should be the same. However in addition to the processor I've spent quite a bit on fitering of the waste oil and dry washing and final filtering / polishing of the bio diesel. My now wifes car has done over 7000 miles on pure diesel for the most part and circa 50/50 at the start of the winter. The fuel filter never needed changing although at about 5000 miles I did as a matter of course and wish I hadn't bothered as it was expensive and didn't need it.
Things to consider with the winter months is the temperature and I doubt without alot of practise in perfecting the fuel will you get anywhere near -15C without problems or additives.
I reckon the VW 1.9 you mention will be one of the best cars for running on bio, but like any its the quality of the fuel that will cause the problems more than anything else. My wifes car was a common rail diesel (same as the 1.6 tdci as found in the ford focus), I've also used circa 30% bio in the new land rover defender (common rail engine - manufacturer warns about not using more than 5% - go on pull the other one - are they really producing cars that are going to struggle to operate in europe when 30% bio is common in places like the czech repub? and often >5% in other parts?).