Biodiesel experiences question

Hi there folks,

Can I get some replies from people who've had good long term success with replacing diesel with biodiesel or vegetable oil? I understand there are kits to make the conversion successful but I've only read lots about other makes other than Nissan and definitely not much on the Patrol.

Although my understanding is mostly all cars prior to a certain age/technology will work - it's just for how long before the issues appear is the question I'd like answered.

Some background, I don't yet own a Patrol, but depending on how successful others have been, I'm basing my model choice on your feedback...

There are other factors such as supply and maintenance, the first I won't ask as I'm UK based and would waste a lot people's time asking that one, but answers for the maintenance question would be very helpful.

Cheers.
Lan.

Sorry not "all cars" but "all diesel cars"... :redface:

Unfortunately can't help but is something I have thought about for a while and also would be very keen to hear of peoples first hand experiences especially with the patrol application. I do know many kits allow you to start on diesel then swithch to bio usually with dual tanks and a pollak switch to switch them. Also the fuel needs filtering and may require a small plant in the shed. As far as the details go and long term reliability and effects go not too sure but would be keen to hear.

Biodiesel is different to Waste Motor Oil (WMO) and Waste Vegetable oil.

Biodiesel is a sort of brewing/chemistry type process. Above the level of most average punters.

WMO/WVO is purely waste oil that you both let settle and filter. Of course you would want to be careful with WMO. I know myself the things I drain into the oil pan.

You can run the patrol on up to 90% waste oil. It has less power, and the exhaust can smell a bit, but you're getting it for free. In colder climates people fit heating coils to stop it congealing like fat. Other people fit water injection to try and stop the IP from gumming up.

I looked into it, but a combined rental property and kids dissuaded me from having 100L containers of oil sitting around.

I apologise for posting a link from another patrol forum, but it really is essential reading.

http://www.mypatrol4x4.com/topic/247...getable+%2Boil

Lots of discussion here - http://www.biofuelsforum.com

I think glort (on the mypatrol page) is the go to man.
He loves wvo (waste vege oil) and why not.
His old bus, a NA Td42 ran it without missing a beat.
He's now running a turbo td42 but hasn't updated for a while.
I think the original setup saw a heat exchange fitted at the tank to make life easier for the pump, and a water meth system to aid in the cleaning.
Have a read of the link.
It's very interesting.

Ha UK answer ;) I've been running my Trol on bio since I had it. No issues other than a few more filter changes early on. Massive savings in fuel costs and the exhaust smells like chips . What's not to like ?

I should add, I run it neat and have no heater. It's not needed on bio . Even last year in the snows and -18 I had no probs. That said you do need good glow plugs.
SVO , new veg oil is also fine but gets a bit gloopy in the winter and so needs diluting at say 20% with diesel.
WVO waste veg oil is very cheap but has lumps in it :(

Sorry for the awol.

Thanks P4trol and NP99 for the links - I'll be checking them out and possibly get something started here for long term posperity. Also like Rossco says, we do need some nice indepth discussions on the subject.

Thanks also to biggqwesty and makeitfit - valuable info indeed.
Cheers.

Makeitfit,

Which year do you have and do you know precisely on which generations/years biodiesel works and doesn't work from experience?
Also how long have you been letting your patrol drink the red stuff?

To fill everyone reading in, what I'm after is;

1. A complete replacement to diesel
2. Definitely homebrew vs mini undustrial process (as p4trol mentioned)
3. Generations / years that it will work without too much mods. And in fact which models it cannot work with due to certain inbuilt components / advances in engine designs.

- if someone is going to suggest WVO, could they please exlain the in/outs of long term reliability and maintenance? I understand people convert WVO into biodiesel using lye (to remove the free fatty acids). Any one has any experience on this ?

Cheers all.