Re: Where to buy biodiesel in Sydney?

Just filled up at VP at Lewisham.
Pretty much B100 as far as the sight, sound & touch test goes!

They were very cagey about giving answers to the "what blend?" question.
I said that it "should be on the delivery docket from future fuels."
Lots of nervous glances and looking aimlessly at documents behind the register. eventually they said they'd call "head office" to find out. I said that they wouldn't know for individual deliveries.
It was definitely the case of knowing more through the forum that they did.
All the phone call produced was a "what kind of vehicle is he running?" question.

I eventually 'fessed up that I was after a high blend, at which poin they both relaxed and the (more knowledgable guy) said - "its always at least B80 - but it could be close to be b100."
After filling I said that there were quite a few of us trying to source reliable supplies of high blend BD. At this point he became super-interested "how do you find it in the vehicle" etc. etc. etc..

So here is my take on VP after the last few days.
They are trying to substitute petro-diesel with bio-diesel by stealth, not realising there is a genuine market for BD. Probably after the ethanol political debacle a while back, they are just laying low and sounding ignorant when pressed.

I think filthy4WD is probably right -most VP's are now selling high blend BD. Although I'd love someone to test some samples ot see how this accurate my theory actually is!!!

Re: Where to buy biodiesel in Sydney?

I filled the tank from near on empty yesterday at VP Nowra. Still at $1.419. I have heard a buzz that VP is selling BD in Wagga for as low as $1.30 mmm I wonder. It will be interesting to see how well the Jackaroo travels this tank.

The probs I am having with cold starts, is still present. I even ran some Petro Diesel to see what happens, still hard to start, but not quite as bad... My thoughts are perhaps with the cleaning properties of BioD, that the filter has become clogged. I will be replacing it and will see what happens. Next step will be checking the glow plugs. I am reasonably confident that it isn't the battery, I load tested it at work this week, it is rated at 700CCA and it tested at 675....

I emailed VP HQ asking what blend their BioD is, but as yet no answer.... not surprising though, given the responses that others have had. I asked the console operator, who I think is the franchise operator (he is the only guy that seems to be there EVER..) and he reckons that he is pressing HQ for more info, but to no avail. Now surely, being a commercial retailer, he would be required under OH&S and workcover to have MSDS on the BioD, would this not have the blend ratio on it?? As should the wholesale reciept.
I highly doubt that the blend is B10, to me it looks a lot higher....
none the less I will keep buying it.

Re: Where to buy biodiesel in Sydney?

I received this from an visitor to my web site:

Hi, I recently bought some diesel at the Volume Plus station in Paramatta Rd, Lewisham. It was just a normal diesel pump like all the other times.
The next day my car took longer to start and I noticed the exaust had that cooking smell I heard bio-disel had.
Later I had to take the car for an unrelated repair, and the mechanic showed mem the fuel he had gotten out of the fuel filter. It smelled oil-like and I suggested it might be bio-diesel. Others there agreed.
I have been looking for bio-diesel in Sydney for years but it appears I have stumpled upon it by accident. Is bio-diesel being sold as normal diesel in Sydney ? Shouldn't it be labelled as such? Is this legal?
My issue is that I have no idea what percentage bio-diesel this is , and if it is accepted by Peugeot for the HDI engine.
Who looks after the distribution and labelling of bio-diesel?
(I have a sample of the fuel if anyone needs to check it)

Regards, John

I have distributed this to DEH as well as producers and BAA. This is the sort of activity that will ruin the industry. Make a point of letting VP know that you DO NOT condone their labeling methods. ML

Re: Where to buy biodiesel in Sydney?

I am excited and a little worried at the same time.

I now live near Milton and have been getting my diesel from the VP knowing that it was a blend. I am sure that all VP servo's have the same blend so i agree with ?? whoever said it. I don't think they would go as high as B80 without advertising it would they?? I have been told that my landrover will not like B100 so if anyone finds out anything about the strength of the blend please let us know. If it is B100 or even B80 i would be very happy as i would now know that my car can handle it. The owner of the station either has no idea or has been told to act like that.

Anyway it's 6 cents a litre cheaper than unleaded today.

cheers

Shaker

Re: Where to buy biodiesel in Sydney?

I posted this alittle while back on the "Current Biodiesel Suppliers in Sydney" thread,

"I've been hoping to get a second tank of bio from my local volume plus (Forestville) but it seems their diesel pump hasn't been working for about a week now so I popped into Forestville Ethanol, on the opposite side of warringah rd and about 2k's closer to the beach, 'cause I figured if anybody else would have bio it would be them. THEY DO .
They guy behind the counter seemed to think that they didn't have it yet but would be getting it around september but it looked and smelled like bio, so I guess they just haven't kept the staff up to date.
There was no signage on the pump but their petrol pumps are clearly labled e10 and I can't find a web site for them but I do know that they have other stores in Sydney."

Further to this I returned there this morning to fill up my truck ( I'm not telling my boss that I'm running his prescious little truck on bio), the fuel still looks and smells like bio and the staff still maintain that it's not. Anybody else got an Ethanol servo near them that they can check out?
Ben.

Re: Where to buy biodiesel in Sydney?

I've just filled up my Nissan GU IV 3.0 Tdi about 20 min. ago at VP South Strathfield. Yes, the juice is same as my previously top up, smell & colour and fumes are same. Yep! It's 6 cents cheaper than the bloody ULP.

I'm a happy Bio-Diesel user

Re: Where to buy biodiesel in Sydney?

Hi all,

Finally got an answer from Volume Plus. The outlet in Nowra sells B80, one would assume the Milton outlet and the others in the area would all stock the same??

Also they have a notice on their bowser, stating they are dispensing BioD, and that it is manufactured to some ozzie standard.

Re: Where to buy biodiesel in Sydney?

Hi All
I have been filling up at VP South Strathfield.I asked what mix it was and without looking anything up they said they thought B60 which could be a mistake for B80.Certainly the mix is very yellow so B80 isnt out of the question.
For the record I run a 1991 Mitsubishi L300 2.4 diesel.
I have not adjusted anything and am running very happily now on my fourth tank.
I have found one major drawback using BD with the smell of cooking oil wafting around me I have developed cravings for fast fried food.Maybe we should push for health warnings at the pumps.
This is my first post here I am glad to be here and am a very happy BD user
Bruce

Re: Where to buy biodiesel in Sydney?

Hi all
Now on my second full tank from Lewisham and concur with above.
At least B80 from the smell of exhaust.

I've played around with a few differennt blend strenths when using drums from B50 to B100,
and my gut instiinct still tells me this is pretty close to B100

cheers,

Geoff.

Re: Where to buy biodiesel in Sydney?

I asked the guy at the counter at the VP in Liverpool and got a large smile and a statement that :it is 100% pure vegetable oil, the best!

Oh well I tried. I wish it was 100% ... so I would put my worries of cheap nasty petrodiesel used for the blend to rest.

Re: Where to buy biodiesel in Sydney?

I would hope that it awas 100% Biodiesel! 100% veggie could be a big problem for people with 'common rail' or 'unit injector' diesel engines and those with CAV IPs.