Biodiesel - How good is it?

Here is how you make it - apparently you can make it yourself for about 40c a litre and it runs better and cleaner than diesel. Never tried it myself but have read heaps of positive testimonials in Aust web forums.

http://www.journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_mike.html

Gazz

There is a number of threads on Biodiesel on the Overlander Forum at present that may interest you.

$15.00 per week x 52 = $780 a year.
All well and good, but what is the quality of the fuel these guys are selling?
Sounds a bit like a backyard operator who sees an opertunity.
Im not saying Biodiesel is a bad thing, Ive looked into makeing it myself,and it has many good qualities.
But depending on the base oil, new/used and the ability of the maker quality can be a bit variable, also it does have a few "quirks" in it does have isopropyl alcohol in it, and some seals in the fuel system ie non viton wont like it at all.
Also most of what Ive read have involved the "older" not electronic diesels not the high pressure electronically controlled ones.
Pump rebuild= $$?? Will these guys cover your repairs if its their fuel that causes problems?
Contact nissan regarding warrenty, then post the reply here Im sure quite a few people are thinking along the same lines as you.
Do a search on Bio dieswl there is a wealth of good info (and some not so good) on the web
Goodluck

I'd be interested in these guys details if you can member message them to me. I've been looking for a supplier of Biodiesel in WA and haven't been able to find one. Perhaps a visit to their property/plant to inspect how it is made before putting it into our engines wouldn't be a bad move.

Sure like others have said you can bleep fart around and by all the equipment and produce it for 40c per litre but I don't have the time or patiance. I reckon I'd use it even if it were same price as it's much better for th environment!

My question is can you run a tank of biodiesel, and half way through the tank fill up with regular diesel? I've only got a 65L tank so it would be a right pain in the but if I couldn't mix the two fuels....

The problems I see with it are that the quality can vary considerably and also that there has been no testing to see if standard engine parts are compatible with it. ie. what the life of a fuel filter when run with boidiesel? no one knows. Too much of a lottery for my liking at the moment but I do think, like anything, it will improve with development in the coming years...especially with the way the price of diesel is at present.

If i could get diesel like that i would for sure. In germany there are over 1500 BD outlets, in france all diesel is B20 and one of the new WV models preferred fuel is BD.

Here is the link to the Biodiesel threads on Overlander:

Maitland Biodiesel

Biodiesel

I have used it for a while. For a 6 month period in 2000 until the supply ran out when the plant burnt down and now for a week.
I drive a Nissan Terrano II and have had no problems with pumps or fuel system components, the power is about the same and I think the motor runs ever so slightly cooler.
If you do a search on Biodiesel and sites located in Australia you will find that since 2003 (from memory) commercial Biodiesel producers have to produce their product to a federal standard
Biodiesel
The Nissan Primera diesel is sold and approved for 100% biodiesel in Germany so if Nissan Aus won’t accept it they are just being ……….

You will find that initially that you go through a few filters as the Biodiesel will clean out the fuel system and the gunk ends up in the filter. After a few tanks you should be able to resume the normal filter change interval.

The Ethanol thing is mostly for home made fuel. It is recommended that the fuel be “washed” which entails adding water and an air stone to the vat of fuel and letting the water separate out contaminates. There will be no water in the finished product, so that isn’t a worry.

Give it a go. I am saving $0.25/L , the car runs fine, smells better, I get a warm fuzzy feeling about using a renewable fuel and I can tell those that call my vehicle a gas guzzler to ’stick it’ as my fuel is renewable, unlike theirs

Imagine if BD was first used way back when engines were created and today someone suggested a black gooey substance in the ground made from dead flora and fawna some several millions years ago will run in your engine? No way just give me my Canola oil!!!

Found this on the NRMA site

http://www.mynrma.com.au/releases2002_020826_1.asp

2 outlets opening in WA soon as well as a refinery (for want of a better word). BD Company just went public I believe so it will be happening sooner rather than later

There was a good story a while back, I have just put it on my web site for all to see.

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