Biodiesel?

indestruktable · #1 02-23-2012, 10:01 AM

Just got my D24t running with new timing belts, Bosch water pump, and new oil seals. Timing is set at .95 and it runs beautifully, even with the ancient diesel in the tank.

I'm about to fill it up and am undecided on using biodiesel, which is available commercially near me. I can buy B5/10/20. I know that the bio might loosen sediment in the lines which will ruin my fuel filter- thats not a big deal.

I am, however, curious if there are any serious issues that could arise if I use B10 or B20 in this car. Experiences?

ian2000t · #2 02-24-2012, 01:59 AM

Can't see a problem with that. Liek mentioned in another post, Biodiesel (even B100) should be a direct replacement for pump diesel.

Only things I would say to watch is:

- Cleaning of the fuel system, which will block filters - carry a spare!
- Pump seals (and any other old rubber components) may sstart leaking.

I've been running Veg Oil for 8 months now, and I've never had a blocked filter (but did do a couple of regular changes at the start), but my pump seals have started leaking (from the top throttle spindle, and a bit lower down aswell). It's annoying but doesn't affect the running of the car. I have been trying to get hold of a pump to recon with Viton seals, but when they appear in UK in unknown condition they are £250!!

indestruktable · #3 02-24-2012, 01:20 PM

Filled up with B10 yesterday. Seems to run just as good if not a little better. And oddly, the very small amount of smoke I got at full throttle is gone.

I'm carrying a spare fuel filter in the trunk and might eventually move up to b20. I'm planning on replacing the return lines soon and would like to use viton, anyone have a preferred source?

anders · #4 03-05-2012, 11:43 AM

I have had some bad luck with B100 ( long story) but I would have no problems running B20. I have ran B20 in my superduty when I have went on road trips.

77volvo245 · #5 03-05-2012, 07:00 PM

You should only worried about clogging fliters when you run b100 or b50. Biodiesel is a slovent and cleans your whole motor internally. Diesel is very dirty and when you run biodiesel for the time fpr the first 1000 miles the dirty crap will start clogging the filter. You shouldnt have to change it for 5000 or more after that. Its always a good idea to have a spare .

Running B100
It takes more engery to burn biodiesel so it burns faster, you loose mpg, but not much. You need to turn up for fuel screw a bit til it smokes a decent amount full throttle. I would advise to turn it back down once you use regular diesel cause you would smoke alot. If you have an old injection pump your seal may start to leak after or two, may last longer. You can get the pump rebuilt with vition seals. Change out your return lines to vition also.

Volvoist · #6 03-06-2012, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anders

I have had some bad luck with B100 ( long story) but I would have no problems running B20. I have ran B20 in my superduty when I have went on road trips.

What happened?? I'd love to hear.

As for seal kits, I keep one kit in stock all the time. Complete Bosch seal kits with the Viton seals as well as a Viton shaft seal. I also re seal the Bosch VE pumps found in the D24/D24T.

anders · #7 03-08-2012, 05:58 AM

Quote from "keep glow plugs on for longer" thread:

Well I for one have had issues with Biodiesel NOT talking about WVO. I maintain a fleet of equipment and trucks for a small government agency. I did not have any issues with the biodiesel "killing" the engines as it ran just perfect as diesel would. We ran B99 from two different suppliers. The last supplier is a large company that is well known in the Puget sound area. The problems we ran into where that it would gel at mild temps. The company told us that the b99 was safe down to 20 degrees before it would start to gel. We ran B99 through spring and summer but when fall came around and one morning when it was about 31 degrees outside or so every diesel truck and piece of equipment in the fleet would not run. I looked in the tank of one of the dump trucks and it looked like butter. And to make matters worse the B99 did not blend well with regular diesel. I would think that all the problems have been worked out with biodiesel now. This had happened in 2007, that was the last time we ran biodiesel.
V8volvo- You seem to be well informed on this biodiesel, so at what point does the B99 gel at? Was that bad chemistry for the B99 we had or was the guy that told us that it was safe to 20 degrees full of it?

Duecento · #8 03-10-2012, 11:15 AM

The gel point of BD depends on the feed stocks that it is made from. If, like almost everybody else, the processor is using recycled fryer oil they can't make a blanket statement about gel point w/o testing each batch. Almost no BD feed stocks are good below freezing and some gel over 40 degrees. (but not many) Every batch is made from a grab bag of different stuff. That is why running B100 in winter is a bad idea unless you are prepared to deal with gelled fuel. As the amount of dino diesel goes up the gel point goes down, so B50 or B20 should be safe for winter in the Emerald City.