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Old Aug 22, 2006 | 11:25 AM
  #1  
Hamberger's Avatar
Hamberger
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From: Ladner, British Columbia
Newbie BioDiesel Experience

I have started running B20 on my 91 F350 7.3l several month ago and more recently started running B40 on both my 91'NA and my 93'turbo.

Positive Feedback:
  • Have not seen any fuel filter plugging issues that others have noted.
  • B20 and B40 have notable reduced engine noise. The engines run quieter.
  • Black smoke has been significantly reduced when I am lugging the engine or do hard accelerations.
  • The fuel station is on my way to work so works out very well.
  • The engines run hotter with the higher cetane (est. 47) giving better combustion.
  • B20 pricing is set at 2 cents below regular No. 2 Diesel pricing.
  • B40 pricing is set at 3 cents below regular No. 2 Diesel pricing.
  • No longer spending $$$'s on Diesel Fuel Lubrication Additives.
  • No noticeable decrease in mpg with B20. (No increase either)
  • Still determining if there will be a milage decrease with the B40.
Negatives:
  • Recently burned out a glowplug on my 93' and with the glowplug system not working I could not get the truck started no matter how long I crank the engine. Just blowing white smoke. With regular diesel I usually would be able to do an emergency start after cranking the engine for a while.
  • Can't help but wonder whether the hotter combustion temperatures have contributed somewhat to the glow plug failure. The glowplugs have about 80k on them, I usually get about 100k on a set of glow plugs. Note, the glowplug failed shortly after I switched my 93' to B40.
  • My fuelling station has run out of Biodiesel on occasion due to the high demand by truckers.
Overall the Biodiesel experience has been very positive sofar.


Seb....
 
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Old Aug 22, 2006 | 05:37 PM
  #2  
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fabmandelux
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From: Paradise Found!
Great news! Now all we have to do is convince you to make your own.............


FABMANDELUX.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2006 | 05:43 PM
  #3  
Hamberger's Avatar
Hamberger
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From: Ladner, British Columbia
Originally Posted by fabmandelux
Great news! Now all we have to do is convince you to make your own.............


FABMANDELUX.
Believe me I am very tempted. I have rummaged thru a few local Fish and Chip places here on the West Coast. There seems to be an ample supply of WVO, nice stuff too.

All I need is a reasonably priced source of methanol. Methanol seems to be in high demand these days which is suprising given the high natural gas prices.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2006 | 05:48 PM
  #4  
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fabmandelux
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From: Paradise Found!
Originally Posted by Hamberger
Believe me I am very tempted. I have rummaged thru a few local Fish and Chip places here on the West Coast. There seems to be an ample supply of WVO, nice stuff too.

All I need is a reasonably priced source of methanol. Methanol seems to be in high demand these days which is suprising given the high natural gas prices.
There is a good source in Seattle, but I don't know if you would have any trouble getting it across the border. Cascade Columbia Distribution is the place there.

FABMANDELUX.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2006 | 06:02 PM
  #5  
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Hamberger
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From: Ladner, British Columbia
Seattle is too far (3 hr drive) and you are right getting the stuff across the border would be extremely difficult and expensive especially these days.

I will have to look for a good and lowcost source of methanol in British Columbia. Funny one of the biggest methanol producers in the world (Methanex)has its headquaters right here in Vancouver, so you would think the stuff would be more accessible and cheaper.

Seb....
 
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