Hi guys, thought I'd just share my experiences for those who own an older vehicle and are wondering how biodiesel will go in it.

I have a 1982 3.3L normally aspirated diesel Nissan Patrol with 240km on the clock. It's in generally good nick, however on petro-diesel it has a tendancy (like all diesels) to blow quite a bit of black (unburnt) smoke if you don't drive it correctly, i.e. match speed to rpm to road conditions.

Last weekend I purchased a tank full (around 120L) of B50 from Morris at the Biodiesel Station. I was a little hesitant before talking to Morris about what I should put in my vehicle, i.e. B20, B50 or B100 -- I was fairly certain i wouldn't bother with B20 as I doubted I would notice any difference at all.

After recommendation that I don't stockpile B100 from now on during the colder months, I decided to fill up with B50, and all I can say is, I'm glad I did!

My observations on the past 2/3 of a week's driving (around 250km):

1 -- The engine seems to rev a little better, with what I believe to be a noticeable increase in available torque under the right foot.
2 -- As I mentioned before with matching speeds to rpm, it is a little more forgiving in that it doesn't blow anywhere near the amount of smoke as before. This has more to do with the state of my injectors and the tuning of my injector pump than anything I believe, but the smoke doesn't appear to be as thick if I load the engine -- say in 4th up a hill I should drop back to 3rd in.
3 -- I've got a replacement fuel filter and filter tool in my toolbox in the back of the car ready for a roadside swap, but the need hasn't arisen yet. Although in saying that, I'm still ready for it, and believe that sometime this long weekend, when i'll be putting over 1000km on the clock in 5 days (travelling from Sydney to mum and dad's place in Port Macquarie and back), is when I might need to swap the filter.
4 -- The SMELL! This ONE change in itself makes everything worth it. Frankly, I hate the smell of petro-diesel -- it's a terrible thing. Get it on your hands or clothes at the bowser and you're stuck with the stench for seemingly a week. The exhaust fumes are just as bad. The biodiesel that I purchased faintly reminds me of the smell of Playdough/plasticine -- not at all offensive and certainly an improvement on before!

So far, I am ecstatic about how it is running. I am looking forward to running more through my system, and I'll be sure to post any other observations I have. Basically, if you have an older vehicle and are hesitating; don't!

Cheers,

Brendan

Good on you and thanks for posting. Glad you are enjoying the wonderful benefits of biodiesel and I hope your positive story inspires others to as well.

__________________
Robert Fyvie
Site Admin
Sydney Biodiesel Users' Group and Australian Biofuel Users


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2007 Mazda 6 Diesel ..................................2000 Peugeot 306..........................2001 Landrover (retired)
2L Turbo charged (Common Rail) ...................XTdt 1.9L Turbo ............................Freelander TD4 (Common Rail)
on B100.................................................. ...on B100.......................................on B100

Thanks Brendan for sharing your experiences I too am a new user , with a Landcruiser 1/87 HJ75 with 2H motor , but I am using premium which I understand is b20 , I am on my third tank and have been down to Adelaide & back and a bit of running around Broken Hill (1300k's) For me I havnt noticed any difference , but I guess if I was using b50 like you I may . I think I will stick to the premium for a while as the weather is starting to get a bit cooler . I have been carrying a spare filter around with me just in case I have the problem with a blocked filter . As a rule I change the fuel filter every 12 months now I am in town ,and it is just about due now .

Cheers

Peter

Bit more of an update after running a full tank (~160L) through:

Was away for the weekend and couldn't get more bio-diesel, so i've been running petro-diesel to get home. I might be kidding myself but I reckon the biodiesel has done my injectors wonders, coming home on the F3 I could hold hills iin 4th without the excessive black smoke that was synonymous with loading the engine as such.

Changed my fuel filter when I got home, as I've put around 1000km on the clock since filling up from Morris' servo. Can't wait to run some more!

Cheers,
Brendan