I am up for it! I have samples from VP in ingleburn already and minto just shout what conditions they need to be collected under and it can be done

I do know that some of the zoom fuel places are also selling BD blends but no notice on the pumps and when questioned they have NO IDEA!

__________________
Dave

I just came back from Newcastle and had to refuel half way on that big truck stop that sells Caltex fuel.
The fuel was yellow and smell was of biodiesel although not as strong as the VP one. However no sign on the pump and the staff there are as rude as they come, they dont even talk nor look at you as you pay them, I couldn't be bothered to ask.

Howdy Guys, this is just your for information and perhaps some feedback to you and back from you regarding BD that i purchase from VP at Guildfod. I have filled up 3 tanks now back to back and can pass this info on to you, make of it what you will.

I have a 2003 hilux 3 liter TD . The BD fuel cost on the last three fills has been the same at 134.9 p/l. Now with normal Petrol doesel i manage to get anywhere between 450 - 500km,s tank. My driving patterns have not changed throughout the last 3 fills. i noticed that i cannot cruise in 4th or 5th gear at 1500rpm without schudder. I need to be in higher RPM range to this.

With this BD blend i get between 380-410 Km/tank but get this, i can easily cruise in either 4th or 5th gear at 1500rpm with no schudder. I guess in a way that is good but it does not increase my mileage.

With the environment put aside for just one instant it doesnt make good sence to use this BD at 134.9 compared to petrol diesel which is fluctauting at near the same price (take into account the coles and woollies dockets). For this experiment the petrol diesel is better value for money.

Before you get ahead of your selves i am all for BD and would not go back to the old stuff at all. I do care about our envirionment and i am pushing this fuel to any one i know who runs an oiler.

This information is here so that someone with answers can let me (all of us know) why the characteristics are the way they are, i for one would be extremely intested in your views.

I still get the odd coment about the smell coming from the exhaust, but this i can certainly with. It really is a strong vegie smell but not the same as my other friends using BD.

Thanks again guys.

Yes, you are right. Volume Plus are not being honest about their blend, possibly so that folks like yourself (and me too) would do the maths and work out that they are only doing a minor and cynical undercutting of current distillate prices to make a tidy sum. If there was more competition in the retail biodiesel marketplace, then biodiesel could compete with itself economically and not have to compete with distillate.
I get about 8L/100kms on biodiesel and about 7.5L/100kms on distillate. I prefer the bio, obviously, but I do get slightly worse economy. 5% is expected due to the lower energy content, but I suspect I could narrow this margin with some proper tuning.
I still stopped at Guilford today and filled up with B?? as it was the best I could do until I can get some B100 from Rutherford that I can trust.

__________________
Robert.
Site Admin.

I filled up quickly and easily at VP 764 Parramatta Rd Lewisham instead of VP Forestville where it was so foamy I could only manage half a tank. The staff were very friendly and they openly admitted it was Biodiesel obtained from Melbourne. When I asked if it was B50 or even B80, the proud response was "it is B100" and "everybody is happy with it". Of course nothing to this effect was on the pump. The big smiles they had I'm guessing was probably not because of the benefit to the environment but because of the good margin (being a bit cynical aren't I). Anyway, I am happy to give them my business and also take a risk and participate in what the USA user group TDIclub.com members are calling "the great experiment" i.e. running BD in a new TDI.

To TheFuzz and others, do not write off the bio quite yet in your Hilux! The drop in distance travelled should drop a little but not what you are seeing. if I may suggest you get your injection timing checked as this can affect consumption greatly as your foor interacts with the pedal to keep it going.

Also do a search on the addition of 60ml (2 fl oz) of acetone (keep it well clear of your paint work) to each 35 litres (10 US Gallons). I have done this several times in my Landcruiser (24valve turbo) and it seems to make a difference. It may be affecting burn I cannot tell but whereas I normally get in the high 700's to mid 800's around town I am now getting in to the second half of 900km per 150 litres. (970 - 980) Makes good running for a 3 tonne vehicle at 12.5l / 100 km. I am impressed so take a careful look before writing off VP fuels and their bio. The price break is not substantial I acknowledge but its better for your injection pump, engine and the planet.

regards,
Matt

Hi Matt, thanks for that. Rest assured i am all for BD. I am interested in the acetone theory. I did some searching but come up dry. Do you have any links i can jump on. I will enquire about the injectors, in the past the local diesel mechanics just snarl at the prospect of using BD. Famous words from the 4 N 20 pie adds, "DO YOU THINK THEY KNOW WHAT THEIR MISSING", WOULDNT HAVE A CLUE BY THE LOOK OF THEM" .

Thanks again.

Cheers

Matt, how do you calculate the 12.5l/100km's from those consumption figures? 150l for 900km = 16.66l/100km, and even 980km on 150l = 15.3l/100km.

My apologies I meant to put in about 120 litres. It was the 5 above the 2 key and in checking the post it made sense since the total fuel capacity is about 150 litres. I have a mate who checks his habitually and it was he who made me do it in the first case. He is aspiring to something similar in his 100 series as Tiyita stupidly said it could do anything between 8 to 14L/100 km, somehow I do not think so. He is eeing about 13 or 14 when driven carefully and consistently.

I just cruise around with a silly smile on my face anyway. Stupid and ignorant I know but I could not get by in a small diesel, anyway I have one already that can do 5L/100km when driven correctly. Never going to buy a petrol or LPG or CNG or any other fuel (except ethanol maybe) again. That may be very shortsighted I know.

Matt

Some more info has come to light in the form of a lab test of a sample of VP fuel. It is months old, but may still be of interest. I've posted it in the original thread in the industry section here.

__________________
Robert.
Site Admin.