Bio Fuel

[Johnny2]

Are There Any Problems With Useing Home Made Bio Fuel With My 1996 Hilux Surf 3ltr It Is Very Clean Diesel

[Mark7081]

Don't take it as 100% gospel but from what I figure after researching Biodiesel is that once you have produced it, the stuff will work in most vehicles as you have changed cooking fat to diesel.

Some older cars may have eventual problems with rubber fuel line degrading because the bio diesel is more of a solvent and will "rot" them but they can just be replaced with modern versions which are not affected.

I believe you will be fine with a 96 but best check elsewhere for MY own piece of mind (just in case I read it wrong ).

You will probably have a few fuel filter changes needed initially (especially if you are going to run pure 100% Bio Diesel) because the stuff actually cleans all the s*** out of your tank.

I'm from Sheffield originally and would be interested to hear about your Bio Fuel processor exploits as I am planning to build one myself. If of course this is not home made, I would still be interested to know about your supplier if the stuff is any good and they sell for a reasonable price, I am up there at lease once a week.

I'll try and dig out links to some of the sites I used for research if you want?

[tweak'e]

couple of things....
it tends to clean all the crap out of the lines/tank so be prepared to change filters on the go. you may even want to fit new filter to IP fuel line.

the other thing is it can stuff pumps up. i've got pics somewhere of deposits bio can leave behind in the pump. there is some debate on the cause of that, maybe a water issue (big issue with used vege oil bio) or improperly made bio. also i've had one person who thinks poorly made bio was the cause of the engine blowing a hole in a piston. possibly not balancing out the caustic solution well enough.

[jaky cakes]

Hi I've been running on home made bio for past few years without any concerns. I had a few probs with wvo clogging the tank strainer but with bio - no problems.
No mods to engine except I fitted a clear glass bowl strainer upstream from main filter just to check what crud was being cleaned away from inside tank.

see the below thread - post 51. My head went 18 months ago (not from bio!!) just see how clean the head and valves are.
http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/showthrea...t=69641&page=6

Just make sure you properly clean your bio to remove any soaps. I cold bubble wash mine then heat and dry with venturi.

[diysurgeon]

I have been running various cars on WVO for over 10 years now. I have run my surf on wvo for the last two years. I twin tanked it and run on 100% wvo. Runs like a dream. It is cheaper and easier than making your own bio. As others have said when using bio for the first time it will clean rubbish out of your tank and possibly block the fuel filter. So initially you need to be prepared to replace the filter a few times.

If you use wvo you must dewater it and filter it down to at least 5 micron. I personally play safe and filter my oil down to 1 micron.

[diysurgeon]

A great website whether making bio or running on wvo is http://www.vegetableoildiesel.co.uk/forum/index.php

Bunch of friendly people that have a wealth of sound knowledge, backed with real experience.

[tweak'e]

see the below thread - post 51. My head went 18 months ago (not from bio!!) just see how clean the head and valves are.
http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/showthrea...t=69641&page=6

thats clean from all the water thats been pouring through from the cracks.

from what i've been told WVO can really foul up combustion chambers.
but if you twin tank and shutdown on diesel it tends to clean most of the crap out of the pump and also combustion chamber.
tho i know of one guy who runs WVO full time but runs water injection solely to clean the combustion chamber.

[dieselboy]

If you're going to twin tank, then why not save the hassle of a twin tank and keep the standard tank but fill up with a full tank of diesel every now and then instead.

Or if you want to get messy, fit a long-range Diesel tank but fill up with Diesel every now and then to clean the crud.

Or like the guy above me says, use water injection and get a decent power and coolant boost at the same time!

[jaky cakes]

thats clean from all the water thats been pouring through from the cracks.
r.

only one cylinder/pot was cracked - all 4 pots and crowns were just as clean.

[diysurgeon]

If you're going to twin tank, then why not save the hassle of a twin tank and keep the standard tank but fill up with a full tank of diesel every now and then instead.

Or if you want to get messy, fit a long-range Diesel tank but fill up with Diesel every now and then to clean the crud.

Or like the guy above me says, use water injection and get a decent power and coolant boost at the same time!

The point of twin tanking is that it makes it easier to start, particularly in cold weather. Also cold oil hitting the cylinders doesn't all combust and as a result can cause ring gumming. Twin tanking allows the engine to get hot enough to assist in all the oil burning completely. I also have fitted a heat exchanger. This helps thin the veg oil which helps ignition and injector spray pattern. As the hilux reaches running temperature very quickly it doesnt take long before I switch the diesel start up tank over to the main tank with the veg oil in.

I have run twin tank systems on a golf and vw transporter (t4) as well as the hilux. Without doubt, although good on veg oil, the hilux performance and running on oil has been excellent by comparison. In the last two years and after 20k miles I have had no veg related running problems. The money I have saved on fuel is making my wallet very happy.

[dieselboy]

The point of twin tanking is that it makes it easier to start, particularly in cold weather. Also cold oil hitting the cylinders doesn't all combust and as a result can cause ring gumming. Twin tanking allows the engine to get hot enough to assist in all the oil burning completely. I also have fitted a heat exchanger. This helps thin the veg oil which helps ignition and injector spray pattern. As the hilux reaches running temperature very quickly it doesnt take long before I switch the diesel start up tank over to the main tank with the veg oil in.

I have run twin tank systems on a golf and vw transporter (t4) as well as the hilux. Without doubt, although good on veg oil, the hilux performance and running on oil has been excellent by comparison. In the last two years and after 20k miles I have had no veg related running problems. The money I have saved on fuel is making my wallet very happy.

Hi there,
Thanks for this explanation I neglected to remember cold starting!

I havent really used veg since 2009 since the price on new veg from shops has more than doubled making it not economical. I would like to use it again though. When I get some playing space (garage or garden) I'll look into filtering waste as I'm beginning to feel the expense of fuel these days.

[tweak'e]

only one cylinder/pot was cracked - all 4 pots and crowns were just as clean.

that very surprising and from what i've been told very unusual.
maybe a difference in type of oil ??

my main point in all this is while some have great success others have major failures. it could save you a lot of money but also could cost you a lot of money.

[Diezel Weazel]

Some useful info here
http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/showthread.php?t=55767

11+ Years of Surfs .... n Faultless to a " T " is my Yota

[diysurgeon]

that very surprising and from what i've been told very unusual.
maybe a difference in type of oil ??

my main point in all this is while some have great success others have major failures. it could save you a lot of money but also could cost you a lot of money.

When using waste veg oil any major failures are caused by:

1. Trying to use it in the wrong type of car. Not all engines and injection systems are compatible for wvo use. In general indirect direction systems with Bosch or bosch type injection pumps are o.k. Direct injection and Lucas injection pumps are not, although there are some exceptions. My hilux (2nd gen) is fine. If in doubt look up the website called bio motors. This will tell you whether your motor can be run on wvo.

2. Poor Oil preparation. The oil must be cold filtered down to at least 5 micron and water free. It should be thinned, particularly in colder weather. This can be achieved by mixing with diesel and fitting a heat exchanger. As I have twin tanked my hilux I only thin with diesel during the colder winter months.

3. Not changing your engine oil regularly to help prevent polymerisation. Also twin tanking, starting your car on diesel and switching over to veg oil when the engine is warmed up helps prevent this. Some people do use water injection, to in effect, steam clean the inside of the engine. This should be done after the turbo or you can knacker the blades. I personally have not done this.

The best oil to use is sun flower or rapeseed as these have a lower gell point than other oils and so remain more fluid in colder weather.

There are a lot of myths out there about using wvo. Some mechanics blame every engine fault on using wvo, mainly due to their own lack of knowledge and experience. If done right in a suitable engine it works fine. But people need to do the leg work and research. Otherwise engine failures may occur. Like I said in a earlier ost check out the vegetableoildiesel website for good honest knowledgeable advice.

[jaky cakes]

that very surprising and from what i've been told very unusual.
maybe a difference in type of oil ??

.

I think we are getting our wires crossed.
I make and run my truck on home made 100% bio - not wvo.
The OP was asking about home made bio.
Bio when made properly is safe to use - in comparrison with wvo.
- some forcourts now sell it at the pumps and macdonalds make there own for their HGVs.
the bio process removes all salts/water and returns PH back to near nutral
and the final voscosity of the fuel is similar to Dino -whereas filtering your own wvo from local chippy rarely addresses such matters - hence problems.