Using Biodiesel

UTAH BIODIESEL COOPERATIVE - Using Biodiesel

Using Biodiesel In Diesel Engines
-by Graydon Blair of Utah Biodiesel Supply

To use biodiesel in a diesel engine, simply pour it in the fuel tank and use the engine as normal. Yes, it is that simple. No modifications, no second fuel tanks, no heat exchangers, just pour it in and go.

Biodiesel can also be blended with petrodiesel in any ratio. Pure Biodiesel is labelled B100 (the number representing the percentage of Biodiesel), when it's blended, it's labelled with the percent of Biodiesel after the B. For example, B90 is 90% Biodiesel, 10% some other fuel (typically petrodiesel).

Fuel Lines
On diesel engines made before 1993, the fuel lines were typically made from rubber (usually nitrile rubber). Biodiesel's solvent properties tend to break these down over time. While you may have no immediate negative results, you could eventually spring a leak because of this problem.

It is recommended that when using Biodiesel in pre-1993 diesel engines that the fuel lines be monitored for breakdown and possibly replaced, especially when using blends of 30% Biodiesel or greater. Vitron fuel lines or other synthetic (non-rubber) fuel lines can be used as replacements. Diesel engine vehicles made after 1993 usually are 100% compatible with Biodiesel. If in doubt, check with the manufacturer.

Fuel Filters
When first using biodiesel it is recommended to replace the fuel filter on your engine. Because of the solvent properties in Biodiesel, it may cause the release of accumulated deposits inside the fuel tank and fuel lines from years of diesel-fuel use.

These deposits can flow down the fuel line and may plug the fuel filter. Luckily, most of the time the filter's don't plug all at once, but slowly, causing slight hesitations in engine acceleration, missing (cylinder's not all firing), or other sluggish behavior.

A good rule of thumb to follow is to replace the fuel filter before beginning to use biodiesel and then replace it again after a few thousand miles of Biodiesel use, especially if using percentages of Biodiesel of 30% or greater. Think of it this way, Biodiesel is not only good for the environment, but it actually acts as a fuel system cleaner, cleaning the injectors, fuel pump, fuel tank, and fuel lines. In fact, it's solvent properties are so widely known that many fuel additive manufacturer's use it as an ingredient in several of their additive products.

Emissions
One of the benefits of using Biodiesel in a diesel engine is that it can help to reduce the amount of tailpipe emmissions. In fact, studies have shown that there is a substantial reduction in the amount of carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide and particulate matter over emmissions that Petrodiesel emits. It also has a nice effect of changing the smell of the exhast. Most people say that it tends to smell like french fries. Kind of a nice swap over the petrodiesel smell--that is unless you like that smell.

Biodiesel emmision benefits begin with the use of a relatively low blend of biodiesel. Studies have shown that a noticable difference has been measured with even a 20% mix of Biodiesel in Petrodiesel (B20). Continued use of Biodiesel overtime will also help the engine to run better due to the fuel system becoming cleaner.

Engine Warranties
Several diesel engine manufacturers will warrant the use of Biodiesel that is commercially made up to B20 and some even beyond that. Check with the manufacturer for specific details.

Engine Performance
Biodiesel has been shown to produce similar performance when compared to Petrodiesel. One noticable difference, fairly quickly after using it, is that the noise emmision of the engine goes down. Sometimes drastically, depending on the engine it's used in. This is due to Biodiesel having a higher lubricity than Petrodiesel. Think of it like this. It's "slipperier" than Petrodiesel. There's lots of chemical stuff that can explain it, but for the average user, the noticable difference is a quieter engine, easier starts, and less vibration. The effect increases as the percentage of Biodiesel used increases per gallon of fuel.

There has been documented evidence that shows there to be a slight decrease in power, somewhere between 5% to 10%. This is due to several factors, but essentially, it has to do with the BTU equivalent of Biodiesel when compared to Petrodiesel. Most users don't notice this small of a decrease in power while gaining all of the benefits. Individual use may vary.

Cold Weather Use
Here in Utah we run into a problem. It get's nice and cold in the winter time. Diesel fuel in Utah is winterized each winter to prevent one big problem; gelling fuel. Biodiesel has the same issue, it has the potential to gel. In fact, Biodiesel has a higher gel point than Diesel fuel. If you plan on using Biodiesel in the winter in Utah, plan on "winterizing" it. To do so, most people just blend with petrodiesel at about a 50% mix (B50). Using a 50% mix should allow you to run your diesel in the winter without any problems.

More Information
Watch this page in the future for more information on using Biodiesel.
We hope to publish links to research material on using biodiesel, emmissions, cold weather issues and more.

There are several places you can find great material, including one of the greatest Biodiesel forums out there, Biodieselnow.com.

There are several of us who have been using it for quite some time (both commercially made and homebrewed varieties) and have had great success with it. We hope you do to!