Seems to me that every test ever done using biodiesel is done in a completely unmodified engine, tuned to run on petroleum distillate. I have heard that NOx emissions are slightly higher in this case and also obviously there is a performance and fuel economy hit as well.
I have also heard that by retarding the timing of the injection, to better suit the slower combustion properties of biodiesel, the performance can be improved, as well as the NOx reduced.
If this is true, I am baffled that so many studies and trials are done without properly tuning the engines. This issue has been mentioned before in this forum.
Has anyone got any real info on this subject, can anyone confirm performance improvements or has anyone seen any decent reports published on emissions testing when properly tuned for biodiesel?
I've been considering getting one of these devices fitted, as they claim to provide an easy way to change the injector timing on a diesel engine and do it digitally without interfering with the vehicles ECM. It can also be easily adjusted or disabled. Sounds to me like the perfect way to test it properly, the only thing missing after that would be a dyno and an exhaust gas analyser. I have also written to the company asking them to confirm the use of their product with biodiesel, but have thus far been ignored. Feel free to ask them the same question and let us know if you hear back.
I think that if this sort of think is reasonably cheap and easy, we should all be looking at ways to better tune our vehicles for biodiesel.
I remember many years ago when I used to install LPG conversions (for a hobby), while it was possible to run LPG with the same timing as petrol, it was so much better to run it at a timing best suited for the fuel (in this case between 10-18° advanced). Why do people not apply the same ideas to biodiesel?
I have also heard that by retarding the timing of the injection, to better suit the slower combustion properties of biodiesel, the performance can be improved, as well as the NOx reduced.
If this is true, I am baffled that so many studies and trials are done without properly tuning the engines. This issue has been mentioned before in this forum.
Has anyone got any real info on this subject, can anyone confirm performance improvements or has anyone seen any decent reports published on emissions testing when properly tuned for biodiesel?
I've been considering getting one of these devices fitted, as they claim to provide an easy way to change the injector timing on a diesel engine and do it digitally without interfering with the vehicles ECM. It can also be easily adjusted or disabled. Sounds to me like the perfect way to test it properly, the only thing missing after that would be a dyno and an exhaust gas analyser. I have also written to the company asking them to confirm the use of their product with biodiesel, but have thus far been ignored. Feel free to ask them the same question and let us know if you hear back.
I think that if this sort of think is reasonably cheap and easy, we should all be looking at ways to better tune our vehicles for biodiesel.
I remember many years ago when I used to install LPG conversions (for a hobby), while it was possible to run LPG with the same timing as petrol, it was so much better to run it at a timing best suited for the fuel (in this case between 10-18° advanced). Why do people not apply the same ideas to biodiesel?
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