Using Bio-Diesel – What Proper Oils does
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As a fuel, biodiesel works in exactly the same way as mineral diesel, but because it has different properties, there are a number of things which you need to be aware of:
When Introducing Your Vehicle To Biodiesel
Proper Oils will:
Run its own vehicles at 20% biodiesel : 80% mineral diesel (B20) for the first week
Why? Biodiesel cleans the carbon deposits & contaminants from your tank and the fuel pipes. This is collected in the vehicle’s fuel filter. As it builds up in the filter, it can starve the engine of fuel, which will cause the vehicle to slow down. To ensure this doesn’t cause a problem, keep a fuel filter in stock, then if the vehicle slows down it can be rectified easily by changing the filter.
Increases the biodiesel used by 10% each time the vehicle is filled up.
Why? Because every vehicle is different - by increasing the biodiesel % gradually, you can see how the engine responds. If anything unexpected happens e.g. the Engine Management System identifies that the vehicle is using biodiesel because the fuel viscosity is slightly different, it can be rectified easily by simply increasing the amount of mineral diesel used in the vehicle, and running the vehicle on a % of biodiesel where it doesn’t cause a problem.
Once introduced correctly, biodiesel / mineral diesel blend can be used interchangeably
Winter Usage
Biodiesel has a higher gelling point than mineral diesel. When used at B100 in lower temperatures (i.e. minus 4-6co), it can turn waxy and runs slower through the pipes & filters.
To ensure this doesn’t cause a problem:
Simply run the engine on a maximum 50% biodiesel : 50% mineral diesel mix in winter, or purchase a fuel additive to lower the gelling point if you want to maximise the use of biodiesel throughout the year.
If you Spill any biodiesel on the vehicle paintwork, wipe it off immediately otherwise it may affect the paintwork.
Warranty
Some manufacturers do not honour the warranty if using over a certain % of biodiesel. If your vehicle is still covered by manufacturer’s warranty, to ensure this doesn’t cause a problem:
Contact your manufacturer to find out what their position is, and what % biodiesel they allow
Conduct your own risk assessment as to whether to use biodiesel in these vehicles, and at what %. (Proper Oils can tell you what other customers do in these circumstances)
Biodiesel is an organic substance & hydroscopic (i.e. it absorbs water). To Avoid Deterioration in quality:
Store in a water tight container
In a cool place
Avoid storing for long periods
Rubber Componenents
Some vehicles – usually those more than 15 years old – still have Rubber Components in the fuel system. Biodiesel causes rubber to perish & leak. To ensure this doesn’t cause you any problems:
Replace any parts of the fuel system which are using rubber e.g. fuel lines
Please note: This is for information purposes only based on Proper Oils experience. We can tell you what we do, but Proper Oils cannot advise as there are 1000’s of different types & makes of vehicles
