While biodiesel is certainly appealing in
some ways, in its current state of refinement it is totally unsuitable
for long range cruisers, sailboats, boats with very large tanks and
standby generators.
Here's the short version of why:
1.
Biodiesel degrades quickly, like milk. It must be
used within 90 days of manufacture, a near impossibility in marine
applications and standby generators.
2. Biodiesel's strong
solvent-like properties do a great job of cleaning normal accumulations
of asphaltenes from tanks and fuel lines; the freshly loosened debris
plugs the filters.
3. Most of the flexible hose components,
gaskets, seals, diaphragms and O-rings will be gradually softened and/or
dissolved by biodiesel. The problem is insidious because the engine
will run extremely well until the problems begin.
4. Once the
dissolved materials begin to enter the fuel system, fuel injection
system failures and upper cylinder failures can occur - these materials
were never designed to be burned in the combustion chamber. External
leaks and filter plugging are the least of your worries. The longer term
fuel system and engine component failures are likely to be much more
oppressive and expensive.
Without debating the merits or
challenges of biodiesel, I hope that these challenges are overcome in
the not too distant future. The reality for now is that it really only
works well in some highway vehicles and agriculture/ construction
equipment where all the fuel is consumed in a few days.
-
Engine oil and filters (oil and fuel) must be changed after the first
25 hours of operation using biodiesel due to the danger of blockage
caused by loosened deposits.
- Reduce engine oil change to 30% of
the interval required for operation with fossil diesel, replacing all
oil and fuel filters at each oil change.
- Prior to any extended
period out of operation the fuel system must be flushed by running the
engine for at least 30 minutes on fossil diesel.
Other
interesting information.
- Biodiesel is an extremely effective
solvent so contact with painted surfaces should be avoided.
-
Biodiesel will deliver 8-10% less power and therefore result in a
corresponding increase in fuel consumption.
- A certain amount of
fuel always finds its way into the engine oil via pistons and cylinders.
Its high boiling point means that biodiesel does not evaporate but
remains in the engine oil in its entirety. Under certain conditions
chemical reactions may take place between biodiesel and engine oil. This
can lead to engine damage.
- Biodiesel may be referred to as
'FAME' (Fatty Acid Methyl Ether.)
Clearly, after arriving at a
location with fossil diesel one may choose to remove any remaining
biodiesel from onboard tanks or at least flush the engine from a 5
gallon can if removal is not an option
