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Convert Your Diesel Engine for Biodiesel? Not Necessary!
No, You Don't Need To ConvertI make my own biodiesel. So I get folks coming up to me to talk about it.
Usually about once a week, I get into a "healthy discussion" that has something to do with biodiesel. This week, once again the fave topic was about biodiesel engine conversion - whether it's really necessary to buy loads of fancy gizmos and hoses and all sorts of other crap to "convert" a regular diesel engine to run on biodiesel.
My answer is... NO!
Quickie Biodiesel 101
Before I get into explaining my answer, for the benefit of those folks who've heard about biodiesel (but don't really know what it is), I will provide a quickie explanation.
Biodiesel is an alternative fuel commonly made from natural biological sources (thus the "bio" prefix). Crop seed like corn, canola, rapeseed, olives, etc., all carry an oil content commonly used as the raw chemical base for making biodiesel. There is a lot of controversy about how using crop seed screws up our food chain, which I explain here. Thankfully there are some folks making biodiesel from non-food stock like palm oil, animal fat, and algae.
All ethics aside...
The diesel engine, patented by Rudolf Diesel in the 1890s, originallyran with peanut oil, a vegetable-based fuel source. Many of us know Henry Ford as an automotive pioneer. However, few of us know that he held one or two patents
As we know, soon afterwards petroleum came online as the main fuel source, and most diesel and gasoline engines were purposed to work with this. Surprisingly, little to no modification was needed to get a diesel engine to run on petroleum diesel fuel. The changes was made, and over these last several generations people have forgotten the diesel engine's more organic origins.
Beginning with the energy crisis of the 1970s, environmentally sensitive and cost-conscious individuals have pushed for the "rediscovery" of the diesel engine's ability to burn organic fuel. The rise in fossil fuel prices these last few years have led to yet another push in awareness for biodiesel.
- Conversion kits are hogwash.
- Use paint thinner or similar adjuvant.
- Be brave and try it.
Comments
Kansas
(Guest)
(Guest)
11/01/2009
How "newer" did you want his to be? Its a 2003 TDI Jetta? I have a Cummins 5.9L 2007 Dodge. Ever since O bought the vehicle brand new, I've used B100. Its available at the pump in some areas of the midwest. I to once had it gell but began adding paint thinner never exceeding 10% and have no longer had any issues with it gelling ever since. My pickup alreaddy has 90K miles on it without any issues whatsover, not one. The author is correct. There has been a manufactured fear and needs by competing industries and its worked and they know it. Manufacturers in the US do not want to incur the wrath of the NPRA, aka National Petroleum Refiners asssociation. Why do you think John Deere only advocates B20 in their engines? Because its easier to be in the "Food Business." Case IH which by the way states its permissable to use B100 in their engines and then goes on to say you might have this or that without giving a full positive glow of using biodiesel in pure form. Did you also know
R3 BioDiesel
(Guest)
(Guest)
07/29/2009
Your information only applies to older diesel engines, not newer ones. Please revise your article to state this. Plenty of new engines have been ruined because they used biodiesel improperly. Also you neglect to state if you are using WVO as "biodiesel" or processed oil as BioDiesel... because there is a HUGE difference.
DeePee
(Guest)
(Guest)
03/19/2008
OK.. I have a farm use truck, I tow heavy stuff... 2500 HD cattle/farm equipment, etc... I have been contemplating if the loss in power (the 650 ft lbs torque) is necessarry or if I will be able to to TOW on veggies or not.. ALOS - can you point me to a source for fuel lines... in case I need to have the ability to switch between the fuel sources??? they don't exactly have recycled oil stations open at 2 am and I have to travel late at night alot for work... SOoooooo I want to be able to switch between one and the other if possible.. however, I need to know what to do with the fuel lines, the residue in the engine and HOW to liquify that non-consumend oil.. Ky gets MIGHTY COLD in the winter!!! SO... can you point me to a good basics book on a DIY self converting kit... THANKS! I looked to see if anyoen had asked this question.. I couldn't find it, so I hope I am not a bother..
:-D
Thanks!
DJB
(Guest)
(Guest)
02/14/2008
Thank you for the lesson, again, and the history!
I will go back and print off with bullet points (I am a visual learner) and I need to hear things about 20 times to commit great stuff like this to memory!! : )
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