Has anyone used bio diesel (soybean based diesel) in their motor? I am interested in trying this, as it should burn cleaner and smell better. If anyone has any experience I would appreciate their comments and suggestions. Any suggestions on the ratio of sobean diesel to regular diesel would also be appreciated.
- Status
I just received inormation on Bio Diesel from a NY based environmental organization regarding Bio Diesel. They want to switch their 100' sailboat to Bio Diesel but seem there is a Coast Gurard requirement that the engine mfg must officially endorse the change. Their engine (Cummins) will not endorse the change. Clearwaters phone number is 845-454-7673. If they won't give you information because you are not a member e-mail me at CFDickhut2@cs.com & I will call them for you.. Good Luck Chuck S/V Kililani
I have used it!
Kevin: I have used it. There are advantages other than the environmental advantages. One is better lubrication. Here is a web site where you can get some info. The fellow that runs this organization has a Mercedes Diesel wagon and runs the stuff in it. There are several testimonials on this site regarding marine engines too. I think that the recommended mixture is about 20-30%. You can give them a call and get the scoop. There are several municipal bus companies that run it in there rigs. I do not think that any company will tell you not to use this stuff. It is sort of like telling you not to buy brand 'x' gasoline for your car! I thin that the facts may be that they will not endorse the product. http://www.cytoculture.com/
Kevin: I have used it. There are advantages other than the environmental advantages. One is better lubrication. Here is a web site where you can get some info. The fellow that runs this organization has a Mercedes Diesel wagon and runs the stuff in it. There are several testimonials on this site regarding marine engines too. I think that the recommended mixture is about 20-30%. You can give them a call and get the scoop. There are several municipal bus companies that run it in there rigs. I do not think that any company will tell you not to use this stuff. It is sort of like telling you not to buy brand 'x' gasoline for your car! I thin that the facts may be that they will not endorse the product. http://www.cytoculture.com/
French Fries
I have used it and I can tell you that the smell is much better than diesel. (smells like french fries.. I wonder why I was hungry all the time?) I bouught the stuff called "Soy Gold" and you really only had to mix it about 50% to eliminate the diesel smell. Problems are price and availability. Good Luck, Brian C. S/V CREW REST
I have used it and I can tell you that the smell is much better than diesel. (smells like french fries.. I wonder why I was hungry all the time?) I bouught the stuff called "Soy Gold" and you really only had to mix it about 50% to eliminate the diesel smell. Problems are price and availability. Good Luck, Brian C. S/V CREW REST
Rick D, here is a quote.
Rick: This was taken from the Cytoculture papers on BioDiesel: "Warranties and Engine Manufacturer Endorsements Marine diesel engine manufacturers in United States, Europe and Japan have all recognized the growing role of Biodiesel as a viable fuel additive, and in most cases, as a complete alternative fuel (100%). Two of the sponsors of the SUNRIDER expedition of 1992-1994 were the marine diesel engine manufacturers: Mercruiser (inboard/outboard diesel engine) and Yanmar (outboard diesel engines), endorsing Biodiesel as a suitable alternative fuel to power Bryan Peterson?s 28-ft inflatable Zodiac boat around the world. This 35,000 mile adventure remains the most famous and most publicized demonstration of using Biodiesel in marine engines. Over 18,000 gallons of donated soy methyl ester Biodiesel was provided to SUNRIDER at various destination ports and rendezvous locations (including a mid-ocean fuel transfer from a ship). Bryan started out from Pier 39 in San Francisco in 1992 and returned under the Golden Gate bridge on September 8, 1994, powered by 100% soybean Biodiesel. Brian?s last 100 gallons of Biodiesel were donated by CytoCulture when he stopped in Santa Cruz on the final leg up the coast of California. At that point, he remarked, "The Biodiesel works?.No problems." Engine manufacturers in Europe have a long history of supporting the Biodiesel movement, and those that produce marine engines continue to endorse the alternative fuel use in their equipment. Some manufacturers warranty their marine engines for use with 100% Biodiesel for late models or for older engines retrofitted with newer synthetic hoses and gaskets that proved more resistant to the pure methyl esters over extended periods of time. Some prefer to warranty Biodiesel engines on a case by case basis. In the U.S., diesel engine manufacturers generally stand by their warranties as long as the fuel used in their engines meet the ASTM D-975 standards defining fuel for compression ignition engines. All of the B-20 blends of Biodiesel produced in America meet the ASTM D-975 specifications. Contact your engine manufacturer for updates on their acceptance of B-20 blend as an acceptable fuel within the scope of their warranties."
Rick: This was taken from the Cytoculture papers on BioDiesel: "Warranties and Engine Manufacturer Endorsements Marine diesel engine manufacturers in United States, Europe and Japan have all recognized the growing role of Biodiesel as a viable fuel additive, and in most cases, as a complete alternative fuel (100%). Two of the sponsors of the SUNRIDER expedition of 1992-1994 were the marine diesel engine manufacturers: Mercruiser (inboard/outboard diesel engine) and Yanmar (outboard diesel engines), endorsing Biodiesel as a suitable alternative fuel to power Bryan Peterson?s 28-ft inflatable Zodiac boat around the world. This 35,000 mile adventure remains the most famous and most publicized demonstration of using Biodiesel in marine engines. Over 18,000 gallons of donated soy methyl ester Biodiesel was provided to SUNRIDER at various destination ports and rendezvous locations (including a mid-ocean fuel transfer from a ship). Bryan started out from Pier 39 in San Francisco in 1992 and returned under the Golden Gate bridge on September 8, 1994, powered by 100% soybean Biodiesel. Brian?s last 100 gallons of Biodiesel were donated by CytoCulture when he stopped in Santa Cruz on the final leg up the coast of California. At that point, he remarked, "The Biodiesel works?.No problems." Engine manufacturers in Europe have a long history of supporting the Biodiesel movement, and those that produce marine engines continue to endorse the alternative fuel use in their equipment. Some manufacturers warranty their marine engines for use with 100% Biodiesel for late models or for older engines retrofitted with newer synthetic hoses and gaskets that proved more resistant to the pure methyl esters over extended periods of time. Some prefer to warranty Biodiesel engines on a case by case basis. In the U.S., diesel engine manufacturers generally stand by their warranties as long as the fuel used in their engines meet the ASTM D-975 standards defining fuel for compression ignition engines. All of the B-20 blends of Biodiesel produced in America meet the ASTM D-975 specifications. Contact your engine manufacturer for updates on their acceptance of B-20 blend as an acceptable fuel within the scope of their warranties."
Steve, That's A Stitch..
...and I recall now that the publicity craft was powered by two Yanmar 27HP diesel outboards! And, even funnier, I'm pretty sure it was long before the Yanmar rep. made his statement. It may be that it was an easier answer than a more qualified one. He did go on to say that fuel is the responsibility of the owner and damage from improper fuel is not warranty covered. Like I said, it was a few years ago, so maybe it has changed now. Still, if mine were in warranty, I'd check to be sure. Rick D.
...and I recall now that the publicity craft was powered by two Yanmar 27HP diesel outboards! And, even funnier, I'm pretty sure it was long before the Yanmar rep. made his statement. It may be that it was an easier answer than a more qualified one. He did go on to say that fuel is the responsibility of the owner and damage from improper fuel is not warranty covered. Like I said, it was a few years ago, so maybe it has changed now. Still, if mine were in warranty, I'd check to be sure. Rick D.
One hell of a trip!
Rick: This would be one hell of a trip in an inflatable. I really cannot imagine ANY problems with this BioDiesel fuel. This stuff have been used in all types of buses, boats, autos etc. They have hundreds of millions of miles of testing on this stuff. The only real problems is that it will clean out your fuel system. If you have a dirty system or bad hoses, you will know about it in short order. I would personally use a 20-40% mixture of the stuff all the time if it was not such a pain to get. We have to go to the SF Bay area to pick it up. This amounts to a two hour trip when I could be sailing. The cost is really not that bad considering that we have been paying as high as $2.80/gal for diesel in the past year. The BioDiesel is about $5/gal but you only use 5 gals. or so in a 20 gal tank. If you are filling up this amounts to about $2.75/gal if you are paying $2.00/gal for the regular diesel.
Rick: This would be one hell of a trip in an inflatable. I really cannot imagine ANY problems with this BioDiesel fuel. This stuff have been used in all types of buses, boats, autos etc. They have hundreds of millions of miles of testing on this stuff. The only real problems is that it will clean out your fuel system. If you have a dirty system or bad hoses, you will know about it in short order. I would personally use a 20-40% mixture of the stuff all the time if it was not such a pain to get. We have to go to the SF Bay area to pick it up. This amounts to a two hour trip when I could be sailing. The cost is really not that bad considering that we have been paying as high as $2.80/gal for diesel in the past year. The BioDiesel is about $5/gal but you only use 5 gals. or so in a 20 gal tank. If you are filling up this amounts to about $2.75/gal if you are paying $2.00/gal for the regular diesel.
Use on the Chesapeake Bay
I used biodiesel when it was available on the Chesapeake Bay. At the time I had a 1983 Hunter 31 with a 2GM Yanmar. The recommended mixture was 20%. At today's diesel prices, the cost could be negligible. However, I can no longer find a source on the Bay.
I used biodiesel when it was available on the Chesapeake Bay. At the time I had a 1983 Hunter 31 with a 2GM Yanmar. The recommended mixture was 20%. At today's diesel prices, the cost could be negligible. However, I can no longer find a source on the Bay.
- Status