Biodiesel Erfahrungen | Posts 16+

Okay, so biodiesel costs only 69 cents where I am, which is really worth it. I only use regular diesel about 2-3 times a year, usually when it's really cold or there's no other gas station available. And I always think of those beautiful yellow fields...

PME = Plant oil methyl ester.

PME is the umbrella term for RME. In principle, you can use all types of PME to operate diesel engines, but rapeseed is readily available in large quantities here, and rapeseed is quite productive, so most PME is actually RME. However, other types of PME (soybeans, sunflowers) can also be used as long as they meet the relevant standards.

In the final standard, the substance will probably be called FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) anyway.

Thank you for the answer, Varianti.

I wouldn't have thought that the standard would be independent of the fatty acid base used. But doesn't the different chain length of the individual fatty acids directly affect the lubricating properties? Or is it even possible to achieve the same standard conditions with different fatty acids?

Out of pure curiosity: Is rapeseed oil/vegetable oil a fat that is transesterified with methanol, or a fatty acid? What is the chain length of rapeseed oil?

I would appreciate a response, Georg.

Okay, I have a nice, illustrated answer for you.

http://www.campa-biodiesel.de/cadeunof/cadnkra2.htm

found. I think it's explained pretty well. At least, better than I could. I'm not a chemist, after all.

I believe that the slight differences in molecular length will have only a marginal effect on the lubricating properties.

Furthermore, I once read that coconut oil is even better because it achieves a higher cetane number (approximately 70).

Unfortunately, the raw materials for biodiesel are about 5 times more expensive than crude oil.

My experiences with biodiesel have been overwhelmingly positive so far.

I drive a Passat TDI PD with 115 horsepower, manufactured in 1999, and have driven over 132,000 kilometers almost exclusively on biodiesel without any problems. The only issues I've experienced are the well-known white smoke cloud in the winter during cold starts (but I can see my own breath in the winter!), and once, the clogged fuel filter had to be replaced prematurely after 28,000 kilometers instead of the usual 60,000 kilometers.

According to TÜV, the exhaust emissions are excellent. Regarding the usual debate, I can only say that even if biodiesel currently doesn't offer any advantages in terms of exhaust emissions compared to conventional diesel, the increasing demand for it will ultimately lead to further developments towards natural fuels (as evidenced by the double-digit million-euro investments by VW and Daimler in a project for engines with alternative fuels).

Hello,
'I had my handlebars replaced a while ago (after 148,000 km, with 50% covered under warranty, haha), and I asked the head of our association of business people about biodiesel; I got a very clear answer: 'Even though we make good money replacing the pump (a four-digit Euro amount?!?), stay away from it; it can be expensive.' That's roughly what he said.'
I asked another acquaintance who used to work at Bosch, and he expressed similar concerns (no Bosch warranty, no compliance with standards - as has already been mentioned), suggesting that, if anything, it's similar to the early days of lead-free gasoline: fill up with diesel every third or fourth tank.
I'm being careful with it; my car now has 160,000 km on the odometer, and I hope it gets even more...
Best regards,
Alchard.

Here is the official statement from the pump manufacturers:

http://www.ralfhandel.de/fie_fame_position.pdf

English, 146 KB.

CU Gremlin.

Regarding the statements made by pump manufacturers:

What I've always said: No standard - so, stay away.

Because otherwise, nothing can be proven. However, that doesn't change the fact that properly produced biodiesel has better lubricating properties.



This is also interesting for people who want to reconsider their decision. A sensational verdict:

http://www.clixworx.net/streithansel/article.php?article_file=1032864754.txt&showtopic=