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[majiktt]

I've had my new tdi jetta for just over a week now, and its time for more fuel. I'm going to fill it up with biodiesel and see how it runs. For those of you who haven't heard of biodiesel, it's basically chemically altered vegetable oil. Producers of biodiesel make it out of things like soybean oil and recycled cooking grease. Isn't that cool

Comments

[stargazen]

Whatta Jettas ROCK!!!

Here is mine...
http://www.stargazen.net/whattajetta.jpg

Now would that make the exaust gresy? How expensive is normal Diesle and biodiese?

[majiktt]

No, the exhaust shouldn't be greasy, but I hear it smells like popcorn instead of regular diesel. It's supposed to make the car quieter and run more smooth too.

Normal diesel tends to be around the same price as unleaded around here. Sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less. I saw it for $1.78 a gallon the other day.

Biodiesel is more expensive: ~ $2.40 a gallon, but when you're used to getting 20-25 mpg at $2 a gallon it's not a big deal when you move up to a more fuel efficient diesel engine.

[stargazen]

Good gaud... I think I'm gonna shit a brick when gas prices make it up to $2.40..

I remember when I was in H.S. and they were only 99cents per gallon (after the war)... I took a picture knowing I would never see gas prices that cheep again in my life.

[majiktt]

Oh yeah, that's what I meant to say. You're so smart.

[ddelill]

Sounds like an awesome car! You should take some pics and post 'em. :)

That fuel stuff is awesome. I never heard of it before! Does it give off emissions? CO2? CO? H2O?

[majiktt]

Using 100% biodiesel reduces emissions:

Carbon Monoxide -43.2%
Hydrocarbons -56.3%
Particulates -55.4%
Nitrogen oxides +5.8%
Air toxics -60% to -90%
Mutagencity -80% to -90%

(According to a 2001 report by the US Dept. of Energy)

[ddelill]

Thanks! Wow, that's very very impressive. :) The cause of increase in nitrogen oxides could be a slight cause of concern (they're nasty and can potentially be components of acid rain - e.g. nitric acid). However, it could be further combusted to form nitrogen and oxygen gasses instead of nitrogen oxides (since those byproducts are more thermodynamically favored). And, if they're particulate in nature, you could very easily filter them out. You may also be able to scrub them out with another substance...

OMG, I'm such a dork. So so sad...

Enjoy the car! ;-)

[i]

i thought you had to do a small modification for biodeisel to work...

[majiktt]

Only on older models... the newer cars are using a kind of rubber for the fuel lines that won't degrade like they used to.

[azwildcat]

I'm nosey, I saw your post on the UA board, and then saw this one. Where can you buy biodiesel and do you have to have a special car for that?

[azwildcat]

Nevermind, I should have read the posts before this! Sorry about that!

[majiktt]

No problem. There's actually a pump near 22nd and Campbell here in Tucson. Apparently there's another in Oracle.

[azwildcat]

Thanks for the info! I never even realized they had anything like this!