Save money and the environment with Biodiesel

carl310166

Have any of you used Biodiesel yet?

I found a website http://www.biodieselfillingstations.co.uk/index.htm that gives you a list of places where you can buy Biodiesel.

There is one outlet about 20 miles from me,so i am thinking of loading the boot with 25 ltr containers of the fuel.I have emailed them to ask a few questions,and the fuel can be stored safely.

The savings seem to be about 5p per litre,and the environment will benefit also.

robonz

another thread on biodiesel

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=20603&highlight=biodiesel

DO_YOU_KNOW_DAVE

Yes I run my old M-reg Peugot 106 Diesel on Bio-diesel. I fill up at I.D. oils on the A64 near York.
I was very interested in bio-diesel, so went on a course to learn how to make it!
The course I attended was at https://www.lowimpact.org and was run by Jon Halle and Dan Carter from https://www.goldenfuels.com. These two seem to be at the forfront of clean bio-diesel production and safe fuels for the newer tdi engines.
I would highly recommend this course if you were interested in making our own bio-diesel as they show you no illusions just facts and cover everything from production to tax,

carl310166

I have a 106 diesel also,plus a Golf tdi (pd 130)

I was hoping the the emissions would be lower if i used Bio for the pugs MOT which is due soon.

The company near me,also do courses,but is it worth making it yourself?

How much can you make it for?

Can it be done at home?

DO_YOU_KNOW_DAVE

Yes it is relatively easy to make it at home, depending how much you would want to make. Most of the equipment you would need is pretty easy to get hold of and would fit in a garage or even a shed. I'm thinking of building a 100 litre batch facility.
Cost depends on if you count your time into the equation.
Emissions i'm not sure of but think it they must be better as there is no added sulpher for lubrication.
I'm no expert on bio-diesel by a long way, the best advice I would give is to go on the course I mentioned they will have all the answers and great advice.
Where abouts do you live?

carl310166

I live in port talbot (south wales),there is a company not too far away called sundance renewables that supply Biodiesel,and run courses to make it.

I will try Biodiesel in the Pug first,but i only fill up every 6 weeks,so i am running the tank down.

My only concern is putting Biodiesel in the high performance Golf,although i have read that it will not cause any problems.

DO_YOU_KNOW_DAVE

The bio-diesel should cause no problems in both your cars if the fuel has been washed.
Washing is a process in which to remove excess METHANOL which is used in the reaction process of making bio-diesel. Now if there is still a lot of METHANOL left in the fuel this can create problems with the sensors in modern tdi engines. Bio-diesel also can soften rubber, such as the rubber seals in your fuel pump and fuel lines.
My suggestion is to ask some advice first from the suppliers before filling up.
I run an old M-reg pug as you know, I hardly do any miles a week on average 75 to 100. The car cost under five hundred quid so was never that bothered if it packed up. I've had no problems using bio-diesel at all in it and also ran my E-reg V.W. Caddy Pick Up on it to, the only problem I had with that was a blocked fuel filter, which most probably needed changing any way.
E-mail Sundance Renewables or pop in and e-mail Goldenfuels, both will want to give you the right advice as there is not point in having bad publicity of mordern cars breaking down when they are pushing the concept.

carl310166

My Pug is the same,L reg,£500 from ebay,80 miles a week,i use this just for work,that's why i don't mind experimenting on it.

I am off to France on the 1st Sept for 3 weeks in the Golf,so i will not be filling that up with Bio before i go,just in case.

This Biodiesel thing does show the government don't give two hoots about encouraging renewable energy sources when the tax is so high,it should be half the price,like normal diesel,why is it more expensive than unleaded fuel ?

Thanks for your advice.

DO_YOU_KNOW_DAVE

When you fill up in France the diesel you will be buying will be have a percentage of bio-diesel in it.I don't know if this is 5% or higher.
If you want to read a bit more about it there is loads on the net, or from your local library
"FROM THE FRYER TO THE FUEL TANK" by Joshua and Kaia Tickell.
The thing I find when talking about bio-diesel to people at work and I know, is they think its a great idea to make a fuel out of a waste product like used veg oil, but fear that it'll damage thier new cars. Generally bio-diesel is said to be better for your engine than normal diesel as its cleaner and has greater lubrication properties.

Hunnymonster

Typically in France it's 5% biodiesel, apart from Shell that's 2%. In Germany it's up to 30% with no ill effects.

DO_YOU_KNOW_DAVE

Hunnymonster do you use bio-diesel and if so what car do you have?