Starting Off with Biodiesel? Keep Some Fuel Filters Handy

I Went Through Two Before I Got to Normal

ABOUT BIODIESEL

For those of you who don't know: biodiesel is basically an alternative fuel meant as a replacement for conventional petroleum diesel fuel. Biodiesel is derived from an organic source, usually vegetable oil.

Surprisingly, most folks think biodiesel is "new" technology - when in fact it is more than 100 years old! For more details, read about it in this article.

For more info in general about biodiesel, read here.

IMMEDIATE POWER LOSS MAY BE TEMPORARY

When people start using biodiesel, they may experience a loss of power, fuel consumption efficiency, or something else deviating from normal engine operation.

Depending on how drastic any side effects are, you may decide to call it quits or retreat to rethink the biodiesel question. My suggestion is to keep an open mind. Yes, proceed with caution, but do not to draw any hasty conclusions on biodiesel. Case in point...

When first using biodiesel, one immediate possibility is a loss of power or engine quitting. Don't panic! This is most likely due to a clogged fuel filter, which is normal. If your vehicle has been running some time on regular petroleum diesel, there will be an accumulation of dirt, scum, and other waste floating around in your fuel tank. These contaminants are naturally captured by biodiesel and get sent out to the fuel filter where they are stopped from entering and damaging your engine. As a minor consequence, this chokes the fuel filter and results in power loss to the engine.

No reason to be alarmed, as this loss of power typically does no damage to an engine. Just be sure you drive your first few veggie-powered kilometers in an area where a sudden power loss will not put you in any danger in traffic.

Fortunately, a clogged fuel filter can be easily remedied by changing out to a new filter. This said, be sure to carry one of two new filters with you when starting out. I went through two filters when I first started out. So...

In the mean time...

Have fun!

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