MPG's (difference with bio D vs. SVO vs. regular diesel?)

[PaulK1966]

Marc- Modern diesels that can run low-sulfur dino diesel should be good for Biodiesel. I had to replace hoses on my '82 240D but my '03 TDI Bug has 100k on b99 and the fuel lines are fine. I did have to replace my fuel filter more frequently when I was buying crap biodiesel. Got so I could do it on the side of the road in 10 minutes...

[Marc F.]

It should be ok then, its only 5 years old. As for running out, its a tractor, I dont really worry about traffic.

It gets used to plow the garden, mow and in the winter plow the road. Have you tried the additives that keep desiel from gelling? What do you use in bio-d?

[PaulK1966]

I live in SF, it doesn't get cold enough to need any additives. Unless I drive to Tahoe.

-PaulK

[dieseltim]

As for the OP, I have run homemade bio for the last 8-9 yr. Mostly in my 96 and 98 Dodge diesels. I also have run lots of it in my 06 Jetta.

As far as MPG and % of Bio, I found that the Jetta got its best MPG from B20- B50. After that it started to fall off a bit until I was down below my D2 MPG at about B60-B70. On B100 I was about 3-4 MPG lower than D2.

So, if the price of D2 and B100 were the same then B20 would be the best option. But, with D2 double or maybe triple the cost of home made B100, it is really not a matter of money but how much free time I have to make it (time is money LOL).

I think that the improved MPG is not only due to the better lubrication, but the higher O2 content of Biodiesel that allows for a more complete combustion. My 98 Dodge will black smoke if you get on it too hard if it has D2, but the same hard acceleration with B100 will only give a slight haze. MPG in the Dodges do not seem to be much different D2 or B100, maybe because they don't get more than 20 MPG on a good day.


Dieseltim