DIY Biodiesel

[gav]

Anyone had any direct experience at making their own biodiesel from old used vegetable oil?

Any adverse effects I should perhaps watch out for - particularly on my 1992 Nissan Safari? I'm keen to experiment but don't want to hurt my toy!

I understand that biodiesel in general tends to loosen all the old crud in the fuel system so I should perhaps keep an eye on my fuel filter.

Just toying with the idea of having a play for a bit of fun. Seems like it's quite simple to do yourself, or you can even get all-in-one kits to process your vegie oil.

Cheers,
Gav

[mudlva]

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... 46&t=31510

[gav]

Cheers mudlva but that thread seems to be about running on used Engine Oil rather than used Vegetable Oil. Noticed a fair few posts about used engine oil - I figured it might have a whole different set of potential problems?! Figured it would be quite different from biodiesel. But I think I may have to read up on that one too

[mudlva]

There wasva big discussion on biofeul a good while back but i couldnt find it the poms have lots of info and what to do and what not as well its looking like thevway to go eith the cost of diesel nowadays

[Dr_PC]

I do know that BOSCH have said you can run bio fuel with there injection systems but in 10 years you will neex to replace the entire system, that means tank, fuel lines, pumps the lot. Not cheap me thinks. The other thing is that to break down the old food oil you need to use methanol.

Methanol in its own right is totally safe provided that you leave in it the drum it was delivered in. Methanol is absorbed through the skin. If you want a long and healthy life make DAMM sure that your remove all chances of it being absorbed through your skin.

If you want to try a little excercise, talk to someone who races a super saloon and ask if they will let you syphon some methanol into a drum for them. Once you get a mouth full you will now what I am refering to.

[mudtroll]

You don't need to turn it into "Bio-diesel" can run filtered vege oil, doing it in my surf. Has to be very well filtered & heated to remove water, run a 70-30 mix or in summer 50-50.
Fuel filter will need changing after first couple of tanks then should be as per normal or even less often.

[tweake]

what bio can do to an injection pump.
bit of debate as to why. possibly to much water in the oil.
also know of one person who thinks poorly made bio resulted in blowing a piston.