Bio fuel

[Terryg]

I am considering using bio fuel in our Fiat 2.8 diesel reg2001 none Turbo

has any one any experience on this fuel.

I am trying to cut running costs not blow up the engine,all help would be appreciated.

 

By the way have you heard about the new Transport TAX please log onto

 

 

and vote NO NOW. Ican forward more info if you can't find it on net.

Many Thanks

Terry

[Miami]

I looked at Bio fuel when I had a 2.5 Diesel Sorento and was eventually persuaded not to touch it. If you want to use it then I understand that alterations have to be made to the engine and the management system and you can have problems with any warranty.

[Dave Newell]

Hi Terry, if the bio diesel you plan to use is commercially available then you should have no problems. No adjustments need to be made and you don't have an engine management system anyway. If however you plan to recycle vegetable oil yourself then it needs to be treated to remove certain substances that might prove harmful.

 

D.

[flicka]

Hi Terry

Below is an extract from my post on a previous thread. It is the reply I got from Fiat last November.

 

 

I contacted Fiat regarding Biodiesel use and their warranty positon.

They say

"Thank you for contacting the Fiat Information Centre.

 

If you wish to use biodiesel it should be pointed out that it can only be used on all our diesel vehicles (naturally aspirated, turbo and JTD), in a minimal percentage, namely not more than 5% mixed with regular diesel fuel.

 

The use of biodiesel in quantities that exceed the recommended amount described above can cause problems with fuel system components. Consequently improper usage invalidates warranty.

 

For further information we would suggest contacting an authorised Fiat

dealership.

 

If you require further assistance or need to know the whereabouts of other authorised Fiat dealership please go to www.fiat.co.uk. Alternatively, please do not hesitate to contact the Information Centre on 00800 3428 0000. Office hours are Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm. Any one of our Customer Service Representatives will be happy to assist with your enquiries.

 

Best regards,

 

Fiat Information Centre"

 

For additional info

This week our local rag, contained an notice that there is a possibility of planning applications for FOUR Boi Fuels plants in the local area.

See:-

http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=151902&command=displayContent&sourceNode=151566&contentPK=16534204&pNodeId=208252

 

The indications are that (subject to planning, etc.)the first could be on-line by 2009 and they are looking to blend with conventional fuel from the two local Refineries.

 

Flicka

 

[Terryg]

Thanks for all your Info I think I will continue to diesel its sounds the cheaper option in the long run

Donot know what happened to web address it is http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/traveltax/ please try and log on to cast your vote

[terry1956]

Hi there, well just had to folk out over 1700 pounds on new injectors and a fuel metering unit due to long term use of bio diesel. I have a german import hymer with a fiat 2.8td engine, Lost all power on motorway, had it taken into Fiats at exeter and they found that the fuel tank was full of black tar like stuff and that the metering unit had broken up due to lack of the lubercation used by the unit. Diesel oils the system, and bio diesel does not do this. german sites I found out are full of objections to the use of bio diesel. Also on a trip to german I found that a tank full reduced the mpg on my transit to around 23mpg on a fast run, returning to normal diesel saw the mpg rise to 29 mpg.

Would never use bio diesel again, unless it was the only fuel available for miles and it was pouring down with rain.

terry

[flicka]

Terry

Seeing your post I copied it to a friend who is involved in the industry.

I have copied his comments below:-

 

"I would think there is some pretty weird Bio-fuel out there with lots of unknown variables.

Incidentally, the sample of “typical” fuel I received from a local manufacturer which I had in my mobile laboratory I gave a second look at again after our talk later in the afternoon.

 

I had lowered the Lab heating for just two days from 21 deg C to 15 deg C over the weekend.

I have never ever seen such a mess of congealed “lard” amounting to some 40% of the so called typical blend.

Something I would certainly not what to put in any engine.

No wonder 6000 ppm of additives did not result in any CFPP movement at strangely 0 deg C.

 

So it looked like although this lard substance stayed in solution long enough to obtain 0 deg C when tested, it appears to come out at a much higher temperature if cooled very slowly under real world conditions.

Also what a hell of a mess, horrible lumpy white lard and lots of it.

In addition the fluid fraction remaining has lost its smooth fuel looking characteristic and seems to have degraded into a watery thin fluid.

Perhaps with the infrequent use of a motor home the fuel is exposed to extended periods of cooling and with a low turn over use in the tank and is breaking down into this water like fluid with poor lubricating propertied. Also this fuel seems quite hydroscopic which is also bad for fuel pumps, injectors and motors.

If the fuel filter becomes restricted, through lard deposition it may be possible to cavitate the fuel pump causing a lack of lubrication as a result of high suction.

I believe recovered oil is not a good option; one could only guarantee performance and reproducibility using virgin vegetable oils in my own opinion."

 

 

So fairly conclusive and I certainly take his point regarding our vehicles being static for periods, as opposed to the daily running of commercial use.

 

Flicka