A Rough Guide to Biodiesel

Here is a rough guide to Biodiesel based on my research and a note on waste vegetable oil below. Be aware, however, much of what I say will be debated and contradicted by various enthusiasts and even vegetable oil equipment suppliers.<>

Proof of what is true will only be available a few years from now.

The 5 opportunities Biodiesel offers are:

1) Lower maintenance costs if you get good quality biodiesel
2) Greatly reduced impact on air quality and the environment
3) The possibility of garage conversion of waste vegetable oil at a cost of about 60% less than retail diesel.
4) Your injector tips may self clean with B100 if fouled.
5)A 5% blend (B5) may offer protection against fuel quality problems, caused during the switch to 15ppm Sulfur standards (Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel ) ULSD in the summer 2007 time period. Especially for older cars that used fuel that met the 500ppm sulphur standard.

The 5 areas of difficulty are:

1) Biodiesel is not yet widely available to consumers in North America in volume for a reasonable price.
2) Biodiesel costs the same or a little more than the diesel which is usually a little less or the same as gasoline.
3) There is a risk of expensive engine repair caused by sub-standard Biodiesel quality
4) Most diesel manufacturers in North America have only allowed 5% Biodiesel without voiding the engine warrantee.

5)Most biofuel sold at the retail level is a 10% blend and as of 2007 all North American engine manufacterers allow it to be used.