Biofuel Cleaners?

Question

How do I clean out a biodiesel engine?

Answer 1

clean out like you would a regular diesel engine.

Biodiesel is a solvent and will clean some things. the problem most people face is build up from biodiesel getting too cold resulting in increased viscosity or gelling in the tank or fuel lines.

several other common issues:

1. glycerin contamination from poorly separated bio-fuel

2. lye contamination or soap contamination from poorly washed bio-diesel (home brew is more likely to have this issue)

3. plugged fuel filters from poorly filtered oil and bio-fuel (some home brewers forget to filter their seed oil, used cooking oil, and the resulting bio-fuel is also not filtered or washed properly resulting in particulates that clog filters)

you'll want to get a good diesel specific anti-gel and injection cleaner and run those through the system.

(note don't use gasoline or gasoline type cleaners and additives, they work against diesel type engine systems [1])

Answer 2

Biodiesel is a cleaner.If you are trying to remove diesel sludge,and WVO sludge,Biodiesel B20 and better B100 will clean it fast.

Answer 3

You might want to check the fuel filters first.  They may just be clogged from poorly filtered bio.

If you are referring to cleaning the buildups caused by using biodiesel, then the best way to clean a diesel engine is to run several tanks of straight diesel through it, if it still runs.

You could also use a diesel additive like Kreen or Marvel Mystery Oil to break up deposits in the fuel system, if it's a little bad.

If it's very bad (but still runs), you might try the additive and the AMSOIL Engine Flush, or another engine flush product, to remove some of the slightly acidic sludge that builds up in the oil system.

If the engine no longer runs, or a single injector is clogged, you will have to remove the part and replace it or clean it by hand.  You may need to remove all the injectors if it's this bad.  You should only need to clean the small parts of the fuel system though.