Outer Limits 4x4 Board

just wondering how many of use

biodiesel in their rover? do they take it ok?

Hi Hobes,
I have been running my 300tdi defender on (mainly) biodiesel for about 45,000km and it is going great. I recently had to replace the three little bits (about 10cm long each) of injector hose that was returning the excess fuel to the fuel pump though as it had started to plasticise. First used approp. sized line from SuperCheap but that was no good - seems to have been natural rubber as well so the same thing started to happen with it. This is the one hassle with biodiesel - it is a great solvent and not only will clean out your fuel system but will soften natural rubber lines.

Picked up some good hose from Pirtek pretty cheap ($5 or so from memory) and it seems to be rock solid now. The whole job only took about 15 minutes each time with the trickiest bit being to simply squeeze the new line on (harder with the new stuff from Pirtek) without bending or deforming the alloy barbs that the hose had to slide onto. It is a tight fit as it does not use any hose clamps for this application on the 300 tdi.

We have a biodiesel users group here in Sydney and so we kicked the tyres, lifted the bonnet, all stood around watching and commenting while I measured up, cut and changed the hose and then went back inside for another cuppa, a few bickies and a round of backslapping for having done something other than just chat.

Apart from that, which was actually a bit of fun, the engine definitely runs smoother on the biodiesel. My preference is to run it on straight biodiesel but sometimes I have to mix it with stinky old carcinogenic petrodiesel but it mixes just fine at any ratio.

I just did a trip to the snow from Sydney and so I ran down there on biodiesel and when I got to Jindy I filled her up with alpine diesel instead so I wouldn't have to worry about it gelling up. You can make a cold weather biodiesel mix with biodiesel though simply by adding 10% kero to the mix or a mate who knows more about these things says 10% unleaded petrol will do the same thing only cheaper. I have found this works no worries in the past when a batch made for warmer weather didn't get used until dead of winter and gelled up in the fuel filter a bit. Anyone else got any experience with winterizing biodiesel?

I say if you can get some then go for it. The commercial plant on the NSW Central Coast is now up and running and if you are in the know you will be able to get some. If you are in Sydney then give me a holler and you can join our group.

If you are in Melbourne there is a new biodiesel co-op started there and they are making their own and supplying it to members as they do not as yet have access to a commercial supplier and that particular group seems to enjoy doing it themselves so good on them. They are now operating out of East Brunswick and making up a batch every 2-3 weeks for members.

Cheers,
Cameron
1998 300tdi defender 130

cameron

1do you know if any of the guys down your way have any of these or similar reactors

2 Do they have anyway of getting around the new exsise rules if so how and do they have a supplier of clean oil so that if guy's can't find chip oils to recycle thay can get it else where.

Thanks in advance!

[quote="Nick B"]cameron

1do you know if any of the guys down your way have any of these or similar reactors

2 Do they have anyway of getting around the new exsise rules if so how and do they have a supplier of clean oil so that if guy's can't find chip oils to recycle thay can get it else where.quote]

Hi Nick B,
There are a few people around Sydney who have reactors at home with which they make their own fuel. They then have to compete with the oil recyclers for the used cooking oil to make their fuel with. Generally they just chum up with a few fish and chip shops or what have you and ensure that they keep the relationship strong by ensuring regular pick ups and not being a general pain in the bum.

If you are asking because you want to make one of your own then there are plans and guides and forums that you can either get from books or off the net.

My understanding is that if they are not selling the fuel that they make - ie it is just small scale and for personal use - then they don't have to worry about the excise because the Tax Office doesn't want to know about them. They have acknowledged that it would cost themfar more in staff time to process the excise paperwork than it is worth to them. As I say though - that is simply my understanding and as I am not bothering with making the stuff myself I don't have to worry about it.

The co-op running out of Melbourne that I mentioned last posting work it such that their regular membership fees pretty much exactly match the amount of fuel that they take home to 'test'.

Regards,
Cameron

thanks for the reply mate. the exsise thing is the only downer for me with biodiesel.