Member Brian (Gold Coast) replied:

Hi Bucky,

Interested in your ongoing opinion of this, keep us updated on how it goes.

Cheers

Brian

get outmore replied:

been using gull bio D which I think is B20 for at least 2 years now. Only time I dont use it is when travlling around and cant get it

no issues

Ozboc replied:

only issues you WILL have is infact you have rubber seals rather than VITON -- most cars POST 89 will have viton seals .... anything after 2000 WILL have viton unless they were provided with dodgey seals

fisho64 replied:

Ive used B20 Gull in LC and Hilux for as long as its been around.
No issues at all, runs spot on, and cheaper also.

Dunno about what the console operator said though. AFAIK its the same as any fuel related problem-prove it first.

Member - Bucky replied:

Sorry guy's

I forgot to mention, that I will have to travel 100 km to Traralgon, Vic,to get this stuff, so It may not be done on as regular basis as I would like

next nearest will probably be Pakenham ( 90 km ) or Dandenong 100 km..

that is a shame, as the patrol actually loves it ( so far )

Cheers Again
Bucky

blackmax11 replied:

Couple of things to be aware of re Bio Diesel,
1) Its hydroscopic, that is it will absorb water and can promote micobial growth in the tank.This can go through to filter and cause components to go through to engine injectors.
2) Its very solvent, so will clean out all the junk in your fuel system and take it through the system to filter and after. So change fuel filter at least half normal change time. Need to do this at least 3 times before going back to normal filter change timeframe.
3) Also check with your vehicle supplier to ensure your model is suitable to run on Bio. Not all diesels are.
Other than above, good luck if you do have problems with getting help from the fuel supplier.

jeep cherokee replied:

I wouldnt touch Bio Diesel with a barge pole.I used it my 1998 XJ Jeep Cherokee 2.5 TD. for just over a year.Then the problem started.The seals on the fuel injector pump staretd to leak diesel.The car went into a diesel injector specialist and it cost me $2945.00.The bio diesel chewed up the internals of the rotary pump and it had to be rebuilt.The No 1.fuel injector which has the sensors attached to it was damaged and had to be replaced at a cost of $988.00
I contacted the RAA and they wrote back to me explaining that unless i could get a scientific report that could support the damage report i was wasting my time trying to make a claim against a large petrolium company.
Unless i could get a written statement from the company relating to any repairs due to their bio diesel i would never touch it again.
It did run slightly better and the economy was marginally better too, but the damage far outweighed the benifits. I hope you have better luck than me in doing the right thing by the enviroment.

blackmax11 replied:

There is residule water in BIO so its there from the start, then add watever else is absorbed from air, which will depend on humidity and time.
As for Marina's, talking Eastern Stares, where we have warned the whole Marine Industry about BIO fuels, petrol and Diesel.
In NSW currently all Diesel is BIO, only 2% to 5% but until above 5% the oil Companies don't have to advise the B amount.

Member - Flynnie (NSW) replied:

Found some interesting reading at

http://www.environment.gov.au/atmosphere/fuelquality/publications/pubs/diesel-biodiesel-position-submission-43.pdf

when googling on biodiesel cold temperature

Where I live there is a problem with low winter temperature and diesel waxing occurring. We switch to a winter grade diesel for part of the year. Apart from the other "qualities" biodiesel is pretty bad on this point so likely the cold weather problem will get worse.

I hope we are spared from more mandated standards, though it sems a certain amount of bio is in the diesel mix already. Bad enough that we have to pay through the nose for extra maintenance to meet Euro IV standards that was foisted on us long before the fuel distribution system was up to scratch. Ask what happens when a common rail diesel engine gets contaminated (not up to standard) fuel.

It looks like the bio in the biodiesel blend cannot go beyond 5% and often a lot less depending on feedstock if it is to comply with standards. I reckon it would be better to have some industrial users switch to 100% biodiesel or a high blends and leave the motorists alone. Some incentives could be packaged to get someone on side and make some money out of it.

Cannot see much sense in having a tiny amount in everyone's fuel tanks. Reeks of tokenism to me. Worse the expense will be carried by motorists in higher maintenance costs.

I have no problem with using biodiesel as a fuel in Australia. The issue for me is blending it in all automotive diesel. There are situations where it just does not make sense.