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Biodiesel

Posted: April 4th, 2019, 2:57 pm
by rjr
Has anyone used it? Opinions? Good? Bad? Damaging?

Re: Biodiesel

Posted: April 4th, 2019, 3:02 pm
by Midnightsun
I would be very reluctant to use it knowing the cost of rebuilding a "marine" diesel not to mention the fact I think they need to saw the boat in half to swap one out in my case and then put it back together. :-O Injectors are fussy and poor spray patterns can quickly lead to a melted piston, not sue I want used KFC oil in my injectors. :-D

Re: Biodiesel

Posted: April 4th, 2019, 6:48 pm
by Alaska 530 Voyager
Well said Midnightsun. I totally agree.

Re: Biodiesel

Posted: April 4th, 2019, 7:17 pm
by Viper
The first question I'd ask is why? Secondly, I assume you're talking about product refined properly at a refinery?

Re: Biodiesel

Posted: April 6th, 2019, 4:23 pm
by bud37
Is this the same product that has been for sale at marinas for quite some years now ? I really don't have any experience with it yet but do the engine makers warn against it ?

Re: Biodiesel

Posted: April 10th, 2019, 4:35 pm
by rjr
Viper - I brought this up for discussion. Yes would be a refinery product.
Bud37 - Haven't seen biodiesel at the marinas. Haven't checked with CAT.

Re: Biodiesel

Posted: April 14th, 2019, 8:38 am
by Renovatio
Hi Scurvy Dog,
Although I just recently contracted with a Carver 466MY. With that said, I own a construction company with heavy Equiptment. So although not a marine mechanic or professional deisel mechanic, I have spent countless hour with and under deisel engines.
I understand some views. Some difficult to change. People never seeing what happens in the engine or keep diligent care of there stuff (boat maintenance). With that said a perfect example was I never used deisel “Heat”, an additive to stop deisel file from thickening from the cold. I normally added about 50% kerosene to stop freezing. None the less water and debris aredeisel fuels worst enemy. So this year my lines froze anyway. Nor I will use the additive.

So two trains of thought. A full tank at the end of season will minimize the amount of water condensation in the tank - the other is do not fill tanks when you store so when you add fuel during use you mix a large percent of grease fuel.

Now. Water is the worst enemy. Fuel can draw water considerably more than gasoline, from the atmosphere. Hence a full tank less air to draw water. Or full tank can have more affected fuel.

What the problem is - deisel can have bacteria grow in the fuel clogging filters and injectors. More so the fuel will separate. Thick layer on bottom and a thinner on top.
That’s the skinny. So
Old school/ new school?
So is your fuel dependable? Is it humid and condensation prone?

Here is a link to explain all the additional issues
I’d rather have a clogged injector than get stuck, poor starts, smoke and buildup in valves and piston heads.

Look at this.link

http://www.fuelsystemguide.com/what-is- ... treatment/