Running Car on Biodiesel? a few Questions

skipfeeney

Hi All,

I have a 1999 Nissan Primera P11 2.0TD and I would like to see if its possible to run on Biodiesel. I have a few questions - hope someone can help!

1) Will my car run on it?

2) How much is it per litre?

3) Where do you buy it from? I am in West Yorkshire.

Thanks

worried_jim

Yes it will run on it fine with no probs. You can even run this model on straight vegetable oil.
Introduce the bio or veg inn stages, start with 1/3 to regular diesel, at the next fill up increase to 50/50 and then go 100% with the bio. I would advise that you get the fuel filter changed as the bio will have washed out all the crud in the fuel tank and lines.
If you are going to use 100% svo wait for the weather to get a little warmer, I would run on it (successfully for three years) at 100% from May to October.

To be 100% safe check that your fuel pump is either a Bosch or a Denso, either is fine, but don't do it if it is a Lucas- it will break.

forgotmyname

Personally i would stick to diesel or at least 95% diesel in this cold weather.

When its above 10 degrees C then add a bit more 10% Bio.

15-20 degrees 30% - 50%. 20+ then you may get away with neat stuff.

Experiment and see what works for your car. Some cars can be fussier than others.

Always have a new fuel filter to hand. If you get any running issues, Topup with neat diesel and swap the filter.

skipfeeney

Thanks for your help,

What Veg oil should I buy? Just the cheapest in the supermarket or a particular one? A lot of sites state most cars need a conversion kit - is this not the case?

worried_jim

Everything you will need to know will be here-

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1961265

Look for your car here-
http://www.vegetableoildiesel.co.uk/fuelsdatabase/database/index.php

Join the forum and ask your questions here-
http://www.vegetableoildiesel.co.uk/forum/index.php

Any veg oil will do but there is no longer that much difference in price and calorific content between pump fuel and veg oil. What you need to do to save money is find a source of waste vegetable oil (wvo) and use that instead as I did for three years.

westwood68

worried_jim wrote: »

Any veg oil will do but there is no longer that much difference in price and calorific content between pump fuel and veg oil. What you need to do to save money is find a source of waste vegetable oil (wvo) and use that instead as I did for three years.

Palm oil is a bit crap in this weather though and only really suitable for summer months.

Olive oil is crap as well but then as it's 10 times more expensive, that's a moot point.

Asian supermarkets usually sell sunflower or rapeseed quite cheaply but as mentioned, mix in small percentages first than add more as you learn what the engine's tolerance is. You might get lucky and end up on 100% WVO with a dash of petrol even in this cold weather.

But as above, go onto the vegetableoildiesel forums then read, ask and learn.

Rolandtheroadie

Currently running both ours on 100% bio.

If you're buying bio, learn how to test the quality of it.

Learn how to change your fuel filter and start to carry a spare and the tools to do it. You may have to do it once or twice as your fuel system gets a good clean.

Also look here http://www.biomotors.co.uk/CarsVans.html . General rule of thumb is if it says single tank, it'll take veg and bio, if it says twin tank, it'll need modified to run veg but should be fine on bio.

hartcjhart

scotsman4th wrote: »

Currently running both ours on 100% bio.

If you're buying bio, learn how to test the quality of it.

Learn how to change your fuel filter and start to carry a spare and the tools to do it. You may have to do it once or twice as your fuel system gets a good clean.

Also look here http://www.biomotors.co.uk/CarsVans.html . General rule of thumb is if it says single tank, it'll take veg and bio, if it says twin tank, it'll need modified to run veg but should be fine on bio.

Hi Scotsman,do you still have your chrysler injector puller,I read on an old thread that you hire it out can you pm me more details,
cheers

Rolandtheroadie

Will do .

tillyscot

Yeah go for a higher ratio of diesel during colder months

patman99

According to Biomotors website, my LDV Convoy 400 2.5D won't run on bio, but it has the Ford 2.5 'banana' engine which is well-known for it's ability to run on not only bio but wvo as well.