[AT] diesel

[Spencer Yost]

I really debated sending rhis because i hate politics, ideaology and belif austems that require dogma and selfThose that know me understand I love to experiment.   One of those was a big experiment I performed making biodiesel.  I made in excess of 2000 gallons over 3 years.  I ran it in 1986 Isuzu Trooper diesel.   So here are my conclusions and observations;

Biodiesel did result in a 5% drop in mileage (25.8Mpg to 24.6MPG)
Biodiesel cost me between 1.25 and 2.50 per gallon to make depending in the price of methanol(a commodity whose price swings in ways I could never predict).  
Wake forest University BD program analyzed my first four batches. All met ASTM standards which proves it can't be too hard to make if I can do it.
My engine would run quieter
My exhaust smelled better.
No idea on lubricating qualities but I had no problems on the 60K-75k I ran B100-b50.  Have to defer to chemists in that one.
Did clean the fuel tank.  Had to replace filters several times at first.
Did ruin the fuel pump diaphragm on my 1952 Oliver 70 diesel.  New diaphragm could handle it though.
Does gell at 25-28 degrees.  Higher temps(~33) if you used peanut oil. Had to run B50 in the winter.
Sold the biodiesel plant i designed and built to a chemist who was experimenting and needed to go a little bigger.  His initial experience echoed mine.

In short, I loved it but is not a silver bullet.   But there is definitely a place at the table for biodiesel.

Pa. The extra cost is BS because the commercial producers get a 1 dollar per gallon subsidy. They cannot be spending more than $2/gallon to make.  They have to be "green" gouging based on my experience .

Spencer

Sent from my iPhone

On May 8, 2013, at 0:13, "Rob Wilson" <ro.wilson at att.net> wrote:

> Biodiesel costs the same here and I get about the same mileage out of my 01
> Cummins. I do see an improvement in the way it runs on the bio over standard
> diesel. Smoother and quieter with a little different exhaust smell.  
> Rob
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
> [mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Dave Rotigel
> Sent: Tuesday, May 07, 2013 11:19 PM
> To: Antique tractor email discussion group
> Subject: Re: [AT] diesel
> 
> Praise the Lord! Not only does bioDiesel cost me more at the pump AND lower
> my fuel mileage, it ALSO lubricates better! 
>   Dave
> 
> On May 7, 2013, at 10:25 PM, Edchainsaw at aol.com wrote:
> 
>> I think you will find that the bioDiesel is more lubricating than straight
> 
>> diesel.  My new semi (cummins isx) warrenty is void  if I add   oil to the
> 
>> fuel (and it can be detected) I dont think its bad to add the oil but  
>> it just something extra.
>> 
>> we questioned our oil delivery man hard on these questions and he had
> facts 
>> and sheets of tests to back him up.    The oil makes the things  smoke the
> 
>> EPA (city folks---yes your responsible for that) dont like  smoke.   
>> 
>> The Bio fuels  DO NOT RUST TANKS!  the rust comes from a tank  beeing 
>> clean and left empty so air can get in the tank if its a steel tank. 
>> rust  is oxidation of metal.  for oxidation to occur you need air.
>> 
>> we had an algae problem in the late 70's and early 80's  but filters  and 
>> the killer solutions got that undercontrol...   yes  change  your filters 
>> often!     we burn in exess of  10,000 gal  of diesel  a year in 3 storage
> 
>> tanks.  we try to keep all steel tanks  topped (so no air can get to 
>> the tank walls because its condensation that's your  problem not the 
>> fuel)
>> 
>> we as humans have to try to blame the unknown when things dont go like 
>> we like, but if you do your job before storage of any engine you will be
> ok.
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