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Charles Munn -> RE: Biodiesel (1/6/2007 2:46:27 PM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: woistmeinauto
Has anyone tried running biodiesel in their Benz yet? I have a 2007 ML320Cdi and have been burning only the ULSD so far. I am just beginning to look in to biodiesel and learning there are different kinds (B20, B99 etc.). I live in Austin, Texas and B20 appears to be easy to obtain, B99 a little more difficult. I am hesistant to try a new fuel until I hear a few success stories.
Does anyone have any experience to share on biodiesel?
Before I bought this old MB I drove a 1990 VW Jetta Ecodiesel and had no problems using commercial biodiesel... However, others did have a problem and that's because the ASTM standards are not stringently enforced in the USA as they are in Europe. That's also the reason many European vehicles are not warranted when using biodiesel made in the USA.
Here's a list of vehicles and warrantys when using biodiesel. But I suspect those warrenty's only apply in Europe.
http://www.biodiesel.co.uk/fuel_story.htm#If%20you%20use%20diesel,%20should%20you%20use%20Biodiesel?
The same can be said for using VO. That is, as I understand it, a VO made under stringent conditions specifically for fuel is also manufactured in Europe. It's sold and controled by the same rigid ASTM standards and available in stations thoughout Germany and Europe
Still, knowing that using biodiesel or VO, in the USA, particularly WVO, is a chancey experiment at best, about 8 or 9 months ago I bought this old 1982 300D TMB, with good compression, no rust, no cracks in dash, etc., for $400. I sold the Jetta for $3700. and concentrated on the MB. Both engines were older designs, and much more able to withstand the possible abuse of experimental fuels.
Granted, the VW had an aluminum head, but the MB is solid iron. Just to be sure, I adjusted the valves, replaced the timing chain, changed all of the injector nozzles, fuel return lines, replaced the glow plugs, and did an ALDA service as well as by passing the switchover valve. That is, for an ancient auto with over 300, 000 miles, it was running perfectly.
At first I burned commercial biodiesel and didn't have any problems. But because so many others had their tanks gummed up with commercial biodiesel, I'm still very leary of the stuff. So as soon as possible, I converted it to burn WVO. At least I have some small control in that area.
So far I haven't had any problems but I'm very particular about the WVO which comes from 2 Japanese restaurants. They pour it directly out of the fryers and into jerry cans supplied by me, therefore all of the water has been cooked out. I suspect they also run it through those paper restaurant filters, because it's always exceptionally clean... I then filter it to 5 microns before filling the MB tank. Before entering the IP, it goes through another 4 different filters, including a 5 micron stanadyne water separator/flilter.
However, unless I lived in Europe where I can be reasonalbly sure of the fuel quality, there's no way in hell I'd burn US made biodiesel, homemade or commercial, WVO, or even VO bought at Costco, in a modern diesel engine.
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