Biodiesel ignition Q's
 

From what I understand when using Biodiesel in your engine you have to retard the timing 2-3 degrees. Why? Can you overcome this by using a hotter ignition system?

I have never heard that. so far no one has had any issue with out retarding the timeing that I know of.

maybe because the way bio is made, any residual methane jacks with the timing and retarding it will counter act it.

just speculations....

Diesel Rod

I can't answer about the timing, but last I knew, there was no ignition in a diesel, only glow plugs or preheaters, which only are used for cold starts. Compression creates heat, and the heat is what ignites the fuel, so there is no adjustment that can be made to control when the ignition would happen, only when the fuel is injected...

IP Timing
 

The only reason to retard IP timing is to lower NOX emissions. Biodiesel is an oxygenated fuel with a higher cetain rating than dinodiesel, It will generaly raise cyl temp by 50-100 deg , raising NOX emissions. By retarding 2-3 deg it will lower emissions. But it isn't required. FABMANDELUX.

Here is a site on biodiesel, are truck are going to it. www.hugrsystems.com

Really?!

Any clue on what percent by mass of oxygen?

Depends on feedstock, approx 6 -10 percent. We had ours tested: 8.4 percent.FABMANDELUX.

Fabmandelux is the man when it comes to this stuff. Guys read up at biodiesel dot org and ask this man here, youll get it right

No engine modifications are needed for the soy - biodiesel. go to www.biodiesel.org they have all the info you need.

I didn't really notice a power improvement but, my truck seems to consistently get 2 mpg better on B20 than straight dino. Which to me would indicate a small power gain which I would assume is from more BTU's per gallon.

More BTU's?
 

Actually the btu value is slightly LOWER than dinodiesel, but it is an oxygenated fuel, And has a higher CETANE RATING than dinodiesel. If it is made with hydrogenated oil it has hydrogen added, which makes the cetane rating even higher.FABMANDELUX.

I didn't know that. I have been reading a lot of the post on alternative diesel it is very interesting.

Yes the biodiesel from crystalflash @ 5% soy is 51 min cetane. VS 40-42 cetane for #2. Just like adding racing fuel to your car.:-D

And canolla oil is even better at min of 68! FABMANDELUX.:-fire