Bio diesel. A Good Thing.

[Satch]

Or is it?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring...?xml=/motoring/2007/04/21/nosplit/mfbio21.xml

"At a recent international conference on biofuels in Brussels, the motor industry admitted that biodiesel blended into a petroleum-based diesel produces a fuel which is less stable than conventional diesel, potentially resulting in injector fouling and power loss, that impurities in the biodiesel cause diesel exhaust catalyst damage, and that biodiesel causes engine oil dilution, thickening and, if not changed sooner, engine damage."

 

[Dieselman]

Thanks satch.
I've read the artical and don't see any new "evidence", but that doesn't mean there couldn't be issues..

Although I have to say it appears somewhat biased..

Quote
"Given the number of diesel injection systems that are now failing under warranty in the UK, the suspicion must be that inadequate specifications are allowing unstable B5 blends on to the market."

I don't see the connection between poorly made high pressure injection systems failing and the biodiesel.
The article clearly says modern common rail systems, which are more likely to wear due to the tight tollerances and high pressures, and are not built as strongly as older style pumps and injectors.

If the article had said there is now a noticable increase of older style injection systems then it would have had more credibility.

Just as a footnote, exactly the same issues were noticed when sulpher was reduced in diesel

 

[splitpin]

When discussing my current CDI model I was advised NOT to put Bio diesel
in it by my local dealer.

After reading the above article & not being qualified in chemical science & only believing 40% of what media scribes print, I shall continue trying to avoid
it, when possible.

Splitpin

 

[GazCaff]

That is one seriously biased article. If that had been a college students paper on the subject he would lose serious marks for being one sided.

I'd just like to point out that the bacteria problem he cites as a problem with bio fuel is also a problem for parafin derived aviation fuel such as avtur which requires periodic checking for fungal/algae growth caused when water contamination is present.

 

[Dieselman]

That is one seriously biased article. If that had been a college students paper on the subject he would lose serious marks for being one sided.

I'd just like to point out that the bacteria problem he cites as a problem with bio fuel is also a problem for parafin derived aviation fuel such as avtur which requires periodic checking for fungal/algae growth caused when water contamination is present.

And regular fossil diesel.. It's a major problem where there may be condensation in the tank, such as a slowly emptying tank or marine use.

There are special biocides to combat this.

 

[Stratman]

This is taken from the C-Class online interactive manual on MB's website. There is more in the owner's handbook which I may scan in later.

"Diesel (EN 590)
You will generally find information about the diesel grade on the filling pump. Otherwise, ask the filling station attendant.



When refuelling vehicles with a diesel particle filter in countries outside the EU, only low-sulphur Euro diesel with less than 0.05 percent sulphur content by weight should be used. In countries in which diesel with a higher sulphur content is available (e.g. 0.3 percent by weight), the engine oil should be renewed at more frequent intervals.


Information about intervals for changing the engine oil can be obtained from any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.


Commercially-available diesel may contain 5 % bio-diesel. This proportion will not affect vehicle performance or wear.



Use of the following can lead to increased wear as well as damage to the engine and exhaust system:

Diesel that does not meet the requirements of EN 590 (or a comparable standard)

Marine diesel fuel

Heating oils

Non-approved fuel additives

The use of such non-approved fuels and/or fuel additives will result in a restriction of your warranty entitlement.



Do not use petrol to refuel vehicles with a diesel engine. Never mix diesel with petrol. Even small amounts of petrol result in damage to the injection system. Damage caused by adding petrol is not covered by the warranty.


Vegetable oil methyl ester (VME fuels, bio-diesel)

Your vehicle is not suitable for use with bio-diesel. The use of bio-diesel may lead to increased wear or engine damage.

If you use bio-diesel or mix diesel with bio-diesel, your warranty entitlement will be restricted. Other names for bio-diesel:

Fatty acid methyl ester FAME

Vegetable oil methyl ester VME"

 

[grober]

Mouthpiece??

Details of the author from the article.
Peter L Barlow (BSc Hons, C.Chem, FRSC, FEI) worked at Shell for 32 years (20 as a research scientist and 12 years in technical marketing). Since 1999 he has been Environment, Health and Safety consultant to the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF) and technical consultant to the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA).

Mouthpiece for the mineral petrochemical lobby??

 

[miro]

Or is it?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring...?xml=/motoring/2007/04/21/nosplit/mfbio21.xml

"At a recent international conference on biofuels in Brussels, the motor industry admitted that biodiesel blended into a petroleum-based diesel produces a fuel which is less stable than conventional diesel, potentially resulting in injector fouling and power loss, that impurities in the biodiesel cause diesel exhaust catalyst damage, and that biodiesel causes engine oil dilution, thickening and, if not changed sooner, engine damage."

Given that there is only enough plant extract to satisfy about 1% of the global demand I dont see the issue at all. By proportion alone it will affect as many engines as dirty fuel or incorrect ignition.

These investigations are for the benefit of public relations. When the fossil fuels run out there will not be enough fuel to go around to make any real difference.