bio diesel

[wharfrat]

I am considering purchasing a 50 motor launch that has a 4 cylinder 330 cat diesel with 10,000 hours and it was installed sometime in the 60‘s. I would like to convert it to run on bio diesel. I’m wondering if anyone has had any experience in doing this, or know of any links that can provide info regarding specific marine application. One thing I have heard is that it needs to be heated to prevent jelling during the colder months in the winter. Even though I am in the Pacific Northwest, I understand that warming the bio diesel is still necessary. My first thought is, is it just a matter of pouring the bio diesel in the tank and “Bob’s your Uncle” or is there a conversion process involved, that requires altering the engine components?
Thanks for any responses

[Thorne]

I just bought a Jetta wagon that's been run on biodiesel -- and will continue to be, so I'm also learning about the issues. There are lots of online resources for this process, as boats have been 'approved' to run biodiesel and VSO and WVO for much longer than cars. One of my friends here has been burning biodiesel in his 30' sailboat for 15+ years with no issues.

One issue that I'm aware of is that biodiesel is a much better solvent than dinodiesel -- so not only will it eat up old rubber seals and lines, but it also dredges all the muck off the bottom of the block and floats it back into the fuel mix. So at the very least multiple new fuel filters are in order, as well as new seals and lines.

Let's see what the more experienced folks say...

[slusher_ben]

I've been running either bio or standard diesel for the last 5 years in my semi trucks or heavy equipment with cat, cummins, and various diesel engines. I used whatever fuel I filled my tanks with at the time. During the winter just put anti-gelling fuel additive in your tanks when using bio. I also use this with regular diesel as well. Diesel at the pump is suppose to have this additive in it but I've found it isn't always the case. One thing, bio does seem to smell sweeter, especially the soy based stuff. You won't have any problems. I also have oil heat in my home and I use bio diesel instead of fuel oil, much cheaper. Truckers at one time used home heating oil (same as diesel) on occasion because it was cheaper (no road tax), one reason they dye it so they can catch the truckers at it. I like wood boats MUCH more than all this other stuff though.

[katiedobe]

you wont' have to convert any thing in your motor except old rubber based hoses. It will dissolve them. I only mention this because of the age of your motor. You may still have an OLD hose somewhere in the fuel system. After a little while of running biodiesel you will find that hose leaking. As far as the mechanical issues of the engine it will work just fine. Add a little anti-gel if you want but you "don't" need to pre-heat biodiesel to get it to work in your engine. The pre-heating is for vehicles that are running straight veggie oil, also known as "grease cars". In "grease cars" these people use strained, used fryer oil directly without mixing the old oil with something, (methyl alcohol?) and letting the glycerine settle out. Bio diesel has been mixed with something that causes the glycerine to settle out.
I have a 2003 Ford diesel pickup and after 70k of running dinodiesel I traveled back to the USA and ran Bio while in Calif, Id, and Oregon. After the first month I had to change my fuel filter as I was having trouble starting the engine. Once the new filter was in it has ran flawlessley since.
Here are some links to explore and help you with this wonderful conversion. We GROW OUR OWN FUEL!
www.greasecar.com
www.biodiesel.org

Make your own, here is how save on road fuel taxes. Only ok for off road use, if you use it in your car you are supposed to voluntarily keep track of the amount due and send the appropriate amount of road tax to your state and federal government.
http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_make.html
One of the makers in the NW
http://www.sqbiofuels.com/retail7_presskit.htm
One of the makers in Northern Cal. A good friend of a friend of mine runs this company.
http://www.ybiofuels.org/

Where to buy bio througout the USA. A small listing of retailers nationwide.
http://www.biodiesel.org/buyingbiodi...s/default.shtm
Here is the map of biodiesel retail stations across the USA.

[BBSebens]

Theres a big difference in bio diesel depending on what its derived from. Diesel made from animal products will gel up and must be heated. You also have to start and stop the engine while running regular diesel, so the system gets alot more complicated. Vegetable based bio diesel is much better. as allready mentioned, you will have to switch out your fuel lines and add filters, but thats really about it. Older diesel engines, especially a larger on like your Cat, are built to run on very low grade fuel, so it ought to take to it just fine.

two major plusses: the biodiesel is actually better for the engine, as it has more lubricity, and it smells like french fries!

one more story I heard through the grape vine.
Theres a guy putting straight unused vegetable oil in his early 90's dodge Cummins truck. He buys it by the 55 gal drum and around 55 cents a gallon.

[wharfrat]

back in 02 I post a similar thread asking about a small volvo diesel engine I had and wanted to try bio diesel in it. (I sold it instead) Somehow that thread and this one have crossover comments so some of the replies for the other thread ( http://www.woodenboat.com/forum/show...ght=bio+diesel ) have ended up here and vise versa. Maybe I did something wrong ? Anyways thanks everyone for all your comments and helpful links