[AT] diesel

[Herb Metz]

Very interesting information Spencer. Your sharing this info is appreciated.
Definitely want to save a copy elsewhere in case this puter konks.  Herb


-----Original Message----- 
From: Spencer Yost
Sent: Wednesday, May 08, 2013 11:38 AM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: Re: [AT] diesel
Sorry for the misspelling. Dang buttons are too close together.  First 
sentence was cut short too.
Anyways, hope my actual hands-on experience illuminates and assists the 
discussion.
Spencer

Sent from my iPhone
On May 8, 2013, at 11:11, Spencer Yost <yostsw at atis.net> wrote:
> 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


> 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


>>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.