Long-term effects of running on biodiesel?

Question

Most people use biodiesel on pre-'85 vehicles, which is just fine. Are the internals too sensitive on relatively new vehicles to run on large percentages of biodiesel?

What are the long term effects of running on biodiesel?

i.e. high engine oil consumption, overheating, low-milage overhaul?

[These may not be actual long-term effects, but I was hoping for answers along these lines...]

Answer 1

We have tested Biodiesel and Diesel in Hokkaido and Obihiro in Japan, and we have tested the combinations 2% 5% ...

As long as the weather is good, there is no problem in using biodiesel all the way. However, if the temperature drops below 0 degrees Celcius (that is 32 F) then some lower quality Biodiesels can cause clogging of fuel filters.

another important issue to consider is that Biodiesels do not contain Sulfure, which in the long run might cause some trouble in the injection system, because the sulfur is used as a lubricant. (that is not a problem in new engines because the new regulations oblige the engine manufacturers to use very low sulfur diesel fuels)

Finally, biodiesels are known to contain fatty acids, which also increases the speed of deterioration of the rubber components in the engine, such as seals.

Answer 2

All fuel is ultimately of biological origin. Even coal and oil.

Current research (By Daimler-Benz and others) is aimed at a bio-fuel that can be a one to one replacement of current diesel in existing vehicles, while designing an efficient bio-fuel engine.

Any internal combustion engine will have an adverse effect on the environment. Personal transport where a one ton vehicle transports a single 100 kg (Max.) person is increasingly untenable.

Escalating energy consumption also adds its bit to the problem. Nuclear energy is not yet a completely safe option. Clean fusion energy is still a far off dream.

Probably an external combustion engine running a steam or other vapor turbine may be an intermediate solution.

Answer 3

Bio-fuels do contribute to global warming, though on a lesser scale than fossil-fuels, so in the long term, the effect will be the same.

On the short term side, the effect will be fundamentally economic, because bio-fuels derive from human consumables such as corn, sugar cane, and so on. There will be a global impact on the economy for sure, and it will depend on the amount of bio-fuels used.

Answer 4

One of the main reasons thaty  bio-desiel is normally used in older vechiles because many vehicle warenties won't cover the cars if alternative fuels are used.

Answer 5

I recently became aware of biodiesel when watching and episode of Pimp My Ride on MTV when Governor Schwarzenneger of California was talking about biodiesel being a clean burning, renewable fuel source.  If you would like to read up for yourself, I found a great website www.biodiesel.org.  They also had this great pdf fact sheet.

Answer 6

Actually, there is little difference in using biodiesel.  A really good directory and article explaining biodiesel at <a href="http://www.allsitessorted.com/Rene... Biodiesel Directory</a>.  The directory lists the leading resources and information sites available on biodiesel in the Internet.  The short answer is that Biodiesel for newer cars does not affect engine life since they use non-corrosive lines.  Older vehicles maybe, if pure biodiese., but not with B20.

Answer 7

Long term effects.......... hmmmm. I would suspect exhaust pipes and mufflers getting clogged by tiny bits of fused french fry crud similar to arteries getting clogged in humans. This would cause hard starting and sluggish running/poor performance/bad mileage (and maybe chest pains, too). And it would also clog fuel filters, injection pumps, lines, and injectors.

Answer 8

Argh. Ethanol is giving biodiesel a bad name.  

Biofuels are MUCH better for the carbon cycle because, where does corn get the carbon in the first place?  It pulls CO2 out of the atmosphere!  So it actually completes the carbon cycle, using yesterday's pollution to make tomorrow's fuel.  That's MUCH better than injecting new carbon into the atmosphere.

Biofuels don't rob from the mouths of humans.  Almost all the corn and soy grown in this country goes to feed meat and dairy animals.  While meat and dairy is a staple of American food, it's not particularly good for you.

To the original question, I don't know, but I hope to have firsthand experience soon.   I do know that biodiesel and SVO have much, much better lubricity than nasty fossil-fuel diesel... lubricity is "lubrication value" to the internals of the fuel injection system.   Because of this excellent lubricity, Europe mandates 5% biodiesel in ALL diesel, and Minnesota (up where it's cold) mandates 2% and says up to 5% has no impact on gelling.

http://www.mda.state.mn.us/renewable/bio...

It actually tends to "clean out" built-up crud in the fuel system, so it can cause a rush of dislodged "plaque" to clog the fuel filter.  It has been also known to cause problems with already deteriorated rubber hoses, where the "plaque" is the only thing stopping the leaks.

All new diesel engines are certified for 20% biodiesel, and my belief is they'll take 100% just fine.   As you know, the older engines are fine with them.