Anyone use Bio Desiel?

Mark Vitacco · **Posted:** Wed Oct 11, 2006 3:13 pm

I noticed an EXXON on the way to VIR is listed as selling B20
Bio Desiel (20%bio80%petro mix).

Links for this station and others in NC at:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=4401+Roxb ... N.+Duke+St.),+Durham,+NC+27704

http://www.biodiesel.org/buyingbiodiese ... .asp?st=NC

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Wed Oct 11, 2006 3:42 pm

Matt Nicholson has used it. - AB

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Wed Oct 11, 2006 3:55 pm

Mark, I've used it in my Excursion when I had it, probably from the same Exxon station up in North Durham. Works well. Change your fuel filter afterwards! Biodiesel, even just B20, has strong solvent properties and will release a lot of gunk out of your fuel system.

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Wed Oct 11, 2006 4:13 pm

Don't have a vehicle that would use it, but there is another local site that is not show on the list above.

It is "Cruizers" at the corner of Sedwick and Highway 55 in south Durham. This is maybe a mile south of the 55/54 intersection. They have both B20 and E85. I know because this is about 2 minutes from my house.

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Wed Oct 11, 2006 8:24 pm

Bio is good but, as Karl pointed out, it isn't compatible with all modern diesels. When I was researching a TDI Jetta recently(came within a day of buying one, we didn't because we only have a year to pay on the Mustang and the savings with that is greater), I found that VW will void a warrenty if you use anything greater than B5 (5% bio). Apparently Bio doesn't have the lubricity that regular diesel does but it is thicker and will wear out the parts quicker.

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Wed Oct 11, 2006 10:55 pm

And what's the real point? It isn't cheaper and it doesn't work any better.

I mean, I'd be fine with burning waste products to power our cars and all if we were talking about a waste product capable of making a difference. But to make biodiesel right it still costs more to make than the stuff coming out of the ground and getting shipped half way around the world. Besides that, read the article in this month's Road and Track about alternative fuels. Biodiesel won't ever be much of a player.

(You can scream "but the stuff won't be coming out of the ground forever" all you want. Doesn't matter. At that point we'd better have something *totally* different going because there isn't enough raw material to make biodiesel available to power much of anything. If we turned our ENTIRE agricultural production as a nation to growing stuff to make vegetable oil and turned all that oil into biodiesel we still could only provide something like 10% of what the country consumes right now. Since consumption isn't going to go down near that much any time soon *nor* are we able to turn anywhere near that much of our agricultural production to vegetable oil, I see it as fairly useless long term. Or short term, since it costs more. Any station selling it for the same price or less than normal diesel is only doing so because your tax dollars are subsidizing it. Why, I don't know.)

--Donnie

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

Watch your tongue, Donnie; Brice might be lurking.

Pete Guthrie · **Posted:** Thu Oct 12, 2006 7:20 pm

hi all,

1: e mail al taylor, he would know a great deal about bio diesel...

2: goto: nbb.org

national bio-diesel board dot org..

3: information from the boi-diesel board dot org is below

"Biodiesel is better for the environment because it is made from renewable resources and has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel. It is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar. Since it is made in the USA from renewable resources such as soybeans, its use decreases our dependence on foreign oil and contributes to our own economy. "

the quality of bio dieel is right now under intense scrutiny as many people make bio diesel, it is right now no laws making people to a quality standard.. that is part of the problem..

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Thu Oct 12, 2006 9:45 pm

Actually, the biggest problem with Bio, is the fact that absolutely NO new diesel cars can run B100 or B20 for that matter. If you want to run on true B100, you need to get an 80's Mercedes diesel and buy the conversion kit. The the nearest Ronnie Mac's is your gas station. Until then, you are stuck with either dino based diesel or no greater than B5.

AdamBreakey · **Posted:** Fri Oct 13, 2006 11:24 am

Aaron Boltman (SuperStock Z06 driver) converted his OLD dodge truck into bio-diesel. He uses the MickeyDs fry oil for his fuel.

Next time you see him call him the hamburgler, or col sanders, or Ronald, or Wendy, or...

adamb

Pete Guthrie · **Posted:** Fri Oct 20, 2006 3:58 pm

this is from the email i recieved when i emailed the national bio diesel board

The US biodiesel industry has a lot of data on B20 (20% biodiesel/80%
petroleum diesel) and lower blends, and with biodiesel that meets the ASTM D
6751 specification, and used in accordance to common and appropriate
handling guidelines (i.e. tank cleanliness and cold weather precautions),
there have been over 50 million miles of successful, problem-free,
real-world operation with B20 blends in a wide variety of diesel engines,
climates, and applications. Although much less data is available, people
have used higher blends successfully, but they require special precautions
and sometimes changes of parts (see attachment) -- so many individuals opt
to use B20 or lower blends. By following the B20 guidelines and ensuring the
use of ASTM D6751 biodiesel, B20 use is pretty much transparent. The
following document contains more information:
http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/np ... /40555.pdf.

Biodiesel will soften and degrade certain types of elastomers (gaskets,
hoses, and seals), primarily natural and nitrile type compounds. These
effects are seen primarily with B100, but are mitigated with B20 blends and
lower. While natural rubber elastomers are effected, synthetic materials
such as Viton compounds tend to be compatible with biodiesel. Most vehicles
made after 1993 use synthetic materials. It is always recommended that you
check with the vehicle manufacturer to determine the types of hoses,
gaskets, and seals used on your particular vehicle.

Biodiesel blends clean out the dirt and sediment that is currently in your
fuel system. Putting biodiesel blends into a relatively clean fuel system
should not present any problems. However, if the fuel system is dirtly, you
may plug a filter when the biodiesel begins to clean your system. When your
system has been cleaned out you should be able to change your fuel filter on
your regular preventative maintenance schedule. The solvent effect is much
more dramatic with B100 than with biodiesel blends like B20. The release of
deposits may clog filters upon the initial use of B20 and should be
monitored when switching to B20. Our field experience would indicate that
filter changes beyond the normal maintenance schedule would only be needed
in about 2% of the vehicles.

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