That's a point, I seem to remember there are some suppliers in the Fens. Must look them up next week when I'm back up there.
An Alfa, running on chip lard? That will be a talking point!
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If I don't reply it's nowt personal, I'm just working!
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Those in the more remote parts of East Anglia may be able to get Biodiesel from Broadland Fuels of Norfolk.
www.broadlandfuels.co.uk
Their website says that they do mail order as well, I'm hoping to take advantage of that when I move house.
Matthew Kelly
No, not that one.
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ChrisR, just in case you don't have these links, you can check
www.biodieselfillingstations.co.uk/
and
www.biofuels.fsnet.co.uk/biobiz.htm
Between those two sites, there are over 110 UK suppliers listed, so there's an outside possibility there may be one not too far away. Many outlets only sell a 5% blend, but it's better than nothing.
Brambob, I have to admit that the only biodiesel blends I've heard of in this country are blends with derv, in varying percentages from 5% to 95%. I have heard of "winterising" products being used in other parts of the world, like Canada or some northern states of the US, but that's where you're getting down to 30 below in winter and ordinary engine oil can freeze. Without going into too much technical detail, you might want to ask whether your supplier's fuel is "washed" or not, and if so what method they use - bubble washing (air coming up from the bottom, like an aquarium) or mist washing (a very fine spray of water gradually taking the final impurities, soaps etc to the bottom of the container). Unwashed fuel could be another possible cause for the rough starting.
I haven't come across putting alcohol in biodiesel for burning as fuel - methanol is used to produce biodiesel, but the reaction must be as complete as possible and my understanding has always been that there should be NO alcohol left in the end product. Cylinders and injectors could both be at risk if there is any unreacted methanol left in the fuel. It's more likely that your supplier was talking about 5% derv.
The only other possible cause for rough starting I can think of (apart from what I've mentioned already) could be that the recycled oil may contain trace elements of palm oil, which is often used to part fry things like chips before they are frozen. If traces of this are present in the used cooking oil before it is turned into biodiesel, it means that small amounts of what my supplier calls "palmitics" could be in the fuel. Although the individual particles are small enough to go through a 5 micron filter, these tend to clump together when cold and so can cause clogging. However, a mild blend of derv - between 5% and 10% - is enough to keep these particles in solution, eliminating the problem. This shouldn't be an issue in summertime though.
Why not print out this page and take it to your supplier - it may help to eliminate possibilities. There shouldn't be any reason why you can't run on biodiesel all the time.
PS I was staying just outside York last month - whereabouts are you?
andymc
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I have used almost exclusively ASDA refined rapeseed oil with 10% white spirit (as a dispersant) for 20,000 miles in a 1998 BMW-powered Omega. I believe its OK to call this biodiesel, as it is a CI fuel of biomass origin.
I am 100% pleased with the results, the car starts first revolution, the power seems better lower down, ie WOT from a standing start (its an auto), the same power higher up. my mpg can be as high as 49mpg on a long A-road run, and is around 28mpg semi-congested urban. I can't really comare the mpf with dino, as I have used so little!
When I have to put dinodiesel in because I'm caught short or its too bad weather to pour vegoil out of bottles, the engine is more dieselly and not as refined.
I have noticed, that for some reason I can't think what, if I run diesel and open the throttle fully from a standstill (automatic) it black smokes a bit, it also does this with vegoil, yet if I mix them, there is no smoke AT ALL!!?
I change the fuel filter every 10000 miles and do oil services every 4000 miles as a precaution.
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i would love to use biodiesel in my tdi golf but am watching with interest to a report of large numbers of vw pd engine failures in germany whilst running on biodiesel. it seems to be only in germany so is probably limited to bad quality fuel in that country only. with biodiesel why isnt the government making its benefits more known as the advantages to uk farmers and the environment could be great. perhaps additional tax incentives similar to lpg to make it more attractive
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Men with big noses are surpressing biofuels.
The government hates biofuels.
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The mass use of biofuels would lead to serious revenue reductions as there is no way you can justify taxing a 'clean' fuel in the same way as you would ordinary petrol and diesel. I think this is why the government are so clean to get congestion charging up and running as they can see the massive revenue stream disappearing into a haze of biodiesel fumes.
teabelly
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Forgive me, I haven't really been following all of the Biodiesel debate but I'm a bit put off by the cost versus risk factor. Andy states above that he is paying about 75p per litre which is only 2p less than the shell garage up the road. Balance that against unknown risk: to what extent has biodiesel been researched as a fuel for modern diesel cars? If brambob's car is hesitant at start up that is, for me, rather ominous! Also, there seems to be some variation in the source of fuels. I'm not reading anything here which makes me want to go through the hassle of changing.
Splodgeface
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Also see previous long and interesting BR threads on this:
"Top Gear and cooking oil" at
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?f=4&t=81...8
and Andy's "First fill of Biodiesel"
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=9764&v...f
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I would like to go bio but I have a 3 month old Passat and I have heard that the Volkswagon PD system has caused problems in German cars using biodiesel. I'm also not confident about the warranty situation. As Splodgeface says, the small benefit seems a bit too risky at the moment.
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"I have used almost exclusively ASDA refined rapeseed oil with 10% white spirit (as a dispersant) for 20,000 miles in a 1998 BMW-powered Omega. I believe its OK to call this biodiesel, as it is a CI fuel of biomass origin."
Well joosisigu, it's certainly a biofuel, but being pedantic it isn't true biodiesel - your fuel is vegetable oil thinned with white spirit that remains in the end product and goes into your tank, whereas biodiesel is vegetable oil which has undergone a catalysed chemical reaction. They are still physically similar, but chemically they are different. Not that I'm saying you shouldn't use it or anything! I'm sure you're aware of potential coking issues using unreacted vegoil, so I won't go into that now.
"i would love to use biodiesel in my tdi golf but am watching with interest to a report of large numbers of vw pd engine failures in germany whilst running on biodiesel. it seems to be only in germany so is probably limited to bad quality fuel in that country only."
guss, I have to be honest and admit that I hadn't heard of any biodiesel-specific problems with PD engines, although I have heard of PD engines being problematical in themselves. I'd be grateful if you could point me towards any information about this - I'm genuinely interested.
"I'm a bit put off by the cost versus risk factor ... to what extent has biodiesel been researched as a fuel for modern diesel cars? "
Not being facetious here, but the original diesel engine was designed to run on peanut oil! But there have been significant amounts of research done in the US - particularly by the University of Idaho and Europe into the viability of biodiesel and it is a well proven fuel. I can dig out some links for you if you like, although it'll probably be tomorrow before I get round to it.
"Also, there seems to be some variation in the source of fuels."
This is true, but only because there are many types of vegetable oil (how many can you name!), and they can all be turned into biodiesel. Even animal fat can be turned into biodiesel, although again it would not be suitable for our cooler climate. Also, the fact that biodiesel can be made from either used oil or fresh oil means that there are different processing methods, each suitable for whichever oil is used as a feedstock. I would also argue that one encounters an equally diverse range of fossil fuels at the pump - eg the great supermarket vs branded fuel debate. But whatever the source oil, whether fresh or used, all biodiesel should be produced to the EN14214 standard, which has been criticised for being TOO stringent.
"I'm also not confident about the warranty situation."
All diesel-engined VAG cars (ie VW, Seat, Audi, Skoda) are warranted to use 100% biodiesel - check your handbook, it'll specify the standard. As the EN14214 standard is new, your handbook (like mine) may mention the now-superseded DIN 51606 standard instead.
One of the benefits of using biodiesel is that it is much more lubricating than derv - this means your engine will last longer!
andymc
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Kenlowe engine block preheater might be a worthy investment if your a regular winter user.
The truckers swear by them for approved cold starting,fuel ecomony and a nice warm cabin in the morning.
I believe the truckers have a habit of adding a splash of petrol to the tank to prevent waxing?
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