Anyone in Calgary run Biodiesel?

[Tron_fdc]

Just wondering what everyone's opinions are on Biodiesel, and if I should chance running it in the new truck. I've heard all the stories on it, and that it isn't bad for an engine, but I'm a little leery to fill up a brand new vehicle if it might void an engine warranty somehow, especially seeing as there is a warning on my gas cap that says "ultra low sulphur fuel only".

Has anyone run it before? Is there someone in the city that sells it?

I'm curious to see how pricey it is, and if it's efficient to use.

[burn_this_city]

Under no circumstances would I run biodiesel in a new diesel engine. The fuel quality isnt consistent and crappy fuel will kill your engine.

[Tron_fdc]

Yeah, that's what I was worried about. I got on this website

http://www.agri-greenbiodiesel.com/p...biodiesel.html

And started reading, but the warranty issues kind of scared me.

[burn_this_city]

Its fine to run that crap in a older mechanical fuel injected diesel. Newer diesels have common rail fuel injection and the pressures they operate under make fuel quality extremely important. If your fuel causes an injector to stick open it will punch a hole right through the piston, or hydrolock the cylinder which will blow the block apart. I've seen crazy example of people running ATF (transmission fluid) as fuel but it was an older 7.3 ford diesel. Anything newer than 2000 you run a risk using anything but regular dino diesel.

[Stumptown]

Biodiesel is HUGE here. We've got several plants nearby and a lot of stations that carry it. The cars that run it seem to be mostly older, but I think that's mostly because new diesel passenger cars are uncommon. And truck drivers are less likely to plaster the ubiquitous "powered by biodiesel" stickers on their trucks. I think Portland has at least 75% of the Mercedes D-series sedans that were ever imported to the US, all running biodiesel. Volkswagon has the only diesel passenger cars available here new, and we have two on our block less than 5 years old that both run on biodiesel. I have not heard of problems with either of them. One of them lives right next to my bedroom window, and even though it's noisier than a regular gas car, I appreciate the lack of fumes in the summer when the windows are open.

[Gondi Stylez]

I'm still looking at running this on my 2006 Freightliner MT45 (well in the process of purchasing). Is there a retail location for this?

[zarrell]

There's a station here in Turner Valley. First of it's kind in Alberta according to it's sign. Never seen anyone filling up.

[ricosuave]

^ that station is closed now, isnt it? it was open a year or so ago?

[Vansmack]

I did my fourth year design project on building a skidded biodiesel productions facility for some farms in SW ontario. One of the biggest issues in Canada is our temperature and it therefore often requires a lot of blending. So even if you wanted to run it here, in the winter you might be looking at a 50:50 mix. Also, as other posters have mentioned don't do it with a new diesel.

[Matata]

If you're doing it for environmental reasons, don't bother. Biofuel has extraordinarily low 'energy density' (ie - it takes a ton of land to harvest a little bit of energy when compared to traditional fossil fuels).

The degradation of farm lands is a global issue on the scale of climate change, but with more predictable results (ie - Iraq used to be a lush, tropical paradise, now it is a ball of dust).

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Matata

If you're doing it for environmental reasons, don't bother. Biofuel has extraordinarily low 'energy density' (ie - it takes a ton of land to harvest a little bit of energy when compared to traditional fossil fuels).

The degradation of farm lands is a global issue on the scale of climate change, but with more predictable results (ie - Iraq used to be a lush, tropical paradise, now it is a ball of dust).

Isn't most current biodiesel made of out of used oil from restaurants that was going to be discarded anyway?

[Stumptown]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

Isn't most current biodiesel made of out of used oil from restaurants that was going to be discarded anyway?

Yep, that's how we do it around here anyway. SeQuential is probably our biggest plant, and every single restaurant in town gets paid for pickup of their used oil. Win-win. Matata may be thinking of Ethanol, which is mostly made from corn, and with all the ridiculous subsidies is a real problem for the environment, and for anyone running a boat.