How to Make a Diesel Engine Compatible With Biodiesel

With biodiesel, a staple fuel goes green.

Converting your petroleum-based diesel-burning engine to use biodiesel is good for your engine and the environment. Pure biodiesel (B100) is biodegradable, nontoxic and virtually free of sulfur and aromatics. Essentially, no modification other than the changing of a fuel filter is necessary to convert your engine to use biodiesel. Biodiesel is diesel fuel, after all, and will burn in any diesel engine without any problem. In fact, biodiesel may be better for the overall life of your diesel engine.

Things You'll Need

• Biodiesel
• Eye protection
• Gloves
• Open-end wrenches
• Screwdrivers (Phillips and flat-head)
• Fuel catch pan
• Fuel filter wrench
• New fuel filter
• New fuel line washers
• Rags

Instructions

Preparation

1. Fill your empty or near-empty fuel tank with biodiesel and expend the fuel with regular use. If your engine begins to perform poorly before all the fuel is expended, proceed immediately to Step 2

2. Stop in a safe work space and wait for your engine to cool.

3. Don your safety equipment, including eye protection and vinyl or rubber gloves.

Changing Your Fuel Filter

1. Use your open-ended wrenches and/or screwdrivers to remove all fuel lines from your fuel filter. Place a catch pan underneath this area to catch any fuel that may leak or spill.

2. Remove the old fuel filter. A specialized filter wrench may be necessary to facilitate removal.

3. Replace the old filter with a new one. "Prime" the new filter with some spare biodiesel; otherwise, the air in the filter may affect the reignition of your engine.

4. Reattach any and all fuel lines to the newly installed fuel filter, replacing the fuel line washers with new ones. Use a spare rag to clean the area of any excess fuel.

5. Properly dispose of any fuel that has been collected in the catch pan or rags.

Tips & Warnings

• Biodiesel used in blends greater than 20 percent will soften and degrade certain types of elastomers and natural rubber compounds over time. These elastomers are used primarily in fuel hoses and fuel pump seals of late-model autos. In newer-model autos, these elastomers have been replaced in most cases by synthetic materials such as Teflon, Viton and Nylon, and have little to no reaction to pure biodiesel. These materials can be used to update incompatible fuel hoses and seals.

• Always use the proper safety equipment when handling biodiesel, including eye protection and gloves.

• No conversion is necessary to burn biodiesel blends of up to 20 percent (B20) in your diesel engine. However, pure biodiesel (B100) has a cleansing effect that may release deposits accumulated on tank walls and fuel lines from previous diesel fuel usage. The release of deposits may end up clogging fuel filters and affecting the performance of your engine.

• The use of biodiesel may void the warrantee of your vehicle. "Most major engine companies have stated formally that the use of blends up to B20 will not void their parts and workmanship warranties." However, consult your warrantee and/or dealership service provider before using biodiesel, in any amount.

References

• National Biodiesel Board: OEM Information/Standards and Warranties
• National Biodiesel Board: Myths and Facts
• 2carpros.com: How Do I Change My Fuel Filter?

Resources

• National Biodiesel Board: Home