Anyone running homebrew biodiesel?

[bigjake6]

I was thinking about running biodiesel in my 2001 7.3 SD. I have access to plenty of veggie oil and a buddy who has been running hisown bio set up for 3 years now. I'm pretty sure I'll need to replace my fuel filter drain valve o-rings like JP did (awesome write-up JP) to prevent leaks. I'm told viton holds up well to biodiesel.

I was just wondering if anyone on the board, locally, was doing this.

[blazinchuck]

i ran a tank a while back...but i didnt make it(they sell it in town) it was only a few cents cheaper and the truck ran like chit! smelt like frires, but other-wise worst gas millage,loss of power

[SC74]

I don't know anyone personally ... just friends of friends I've heard about. If you've got access to the right stuff I've heard that it can be made for in the $0.50 to $0.75 range. Well worth the savings as long as there isn't a lot of performance lost like Chuck talked about.

[bigjake6]

I don't know other than what I've read and been told by those who make their own. But hear more power, better mileage, and less wear on the motor............but then again, this may be biased by the fact that these folks have invested in the process. It takes about $10k to get (what most consider) "the best" fully automated unit up and running, my buddy's took $8k to get off the ground, but it can pay for itself in 12-18 months if you put it to work....and he's 3 years into it so he has covered his initial cost. Will make bio-D for about 80 cents to a buck a gallon. Alot of Chucks findings may have been due to the biodiesel actually cleaning his fuel system, thus clogging the filter, etc....again hear say. Home brew bio has its issues. Like I said, if my bud didn't have it up and running I doubt I could justify it. It's kind of like what I realized in college....I thought I wanted to make my own beer, but soon realized that all I really wanted to do was drink the final product.

[bucketobolts]

Make sure you have a spare fuel filter handy...

[bound4dixie]

Make sure you have a spare fuel filter handy...

X2 Biodiesel, especially homebrew, is one of the best solvents...it's great to get the gunk and goo off of stuff, inside lines, tanks, etc. Even works as a good "goo-gone" for cleaning.

But as far as claims of mileage, power, etc....that kinda varies from person to person and can be biased at times. Biodiesel does have less energy per gallon than diesel fuel (this varies depending on the oil feedstock used to make biodiesel), which can hurt mileage. On the other hand, Biodiesel is an oxygenated fuel and this fact adds more available oxygen during the combustion process ==> more complete burn.

Homebrew can be a pretty simple process and save ya some money in the long run, but the biggest thing to consider before investing in a system is the availability of an oil to convert. In some places the demand for waste grease/oil is going up.

[bucketobolts]

Up towards Woodleaf, NC there is a co-op sponsored by the Ag commission that refines and sells bio. A good friend of mine bought his wife a Jeep Liberty with the 4cyl diesel. He has bought fuel there several times and has had trouble with his fuel filters clogging. I was sort of suspect of the Jeep at first, till I spoke with another fella who had similar problems with his '99 Cummins. He though his lift pump had failed and later found his new fuel filter clogged after running the tank of bio.

I see the guy that oversees the co-op around town in his diesel Excursion. But have never been able to talk with him.

On another note, just up the road from me the neighbor has started selling the DIY systems for making fuel. He runs a 6.0 Powerstroke and says he has had no problems with his stuff. He collects his own oil with a trailer he has made with large totes. I have no idea where all he collects from.

[bound4dixie]

Hey Aaron is the place you are talking about related to the folks at http://www.woodleafbiodiesel.com/

I know they are a big distributor of FuelMeister systems. I've spoke with them on several occasions and seem to be very nice folks.

Do you know what they were using? B5? B20? B100? when they were having problems. Either way you're gonna be changing fuel filters a lot initially until things get cleaned out, especially if you're running B100.

[bucketobolts]

That is the co-op guys.

I'm not sure what system my neighbor sells. I'll see if I can find out. He used to run an ad on Craigslist everynow and then with a picture of his white dually with graphics down the sides.