(Home) Bio fuel

Hi, Clive, with regard to the bio fuel, it says on the leaflet that it will corrode the rubber supply pipes and any seals on 'older' diesel engines, any idea whether our 2 CT engines are in this classification (as they are 15 years old or more in the case of E and F reg Townies) . . . just read Dave Brights problem and wondered if it could bear any relation (presuming his is a diesel of course)!! May not be relevant, but it depends what they class as 'older engines'. Cheers, John N

- (#12696) John N, 12 Aug 04 08:20

The honest answer to the problem I had is "don't know".

I have changed the fuel filter and the problem has gone away. But I also found the pipe to the fuel pump was loose. I have beaten apart the ofending filter and can see nothing wrong with it, no signs of any muck or blockages. The very old filter that I changed three weeks ago had some small grey flakes and a bit of slime, but that had been in for 7 months and done about 8,000 miles.

I think the term "older diesels" applies more to the Vintage era rather than our 15 year old vans, and I am convinced that Bio Diesel is the way forward for me. So I will continue with it, and even if there are some hicups on the way, then it will still be worth it in the end.

- (#12696) dave Bright (Bournemouth), 12 Aug 04 08:41

What the leaflet should say is it can dissolve new, older type, unused rubber.
Most new fuel line and seals for the pump are no longer made from the type of rubber that can be attacked and are resistant to Diesel, Biodiesel and injector cleaner (by far the worst at dissolving things and it don't say that on the bottle does it!).
Any older rubber that is more than 5 years old has cured itself and is safe.
So unless you have had a repair with old spares, and only then if they have been kept in an airtight container, you are unlikely to have any problem with melting rubber.

- (#12696) Clive (Bristol), 12 Aug 04 08:43

Cheers Dave & Clive, clears it up ok. I too would like to continue with the bio fuel, just a matter of getting supplies on a regular basis. Got to be good as it's not only recycling, but better for us, the car and the planet as a whole. Impressed so far!! As regards Tatton Clive, can't get to bloke responsible for clubs as he's on holiday!! but have got in touch with Cheshire Auto Promotions who are running the thing, and on first info it looks as if the show sites are full, but t'other chap will be back tomorrow apparently so I'll let you know further info. If not able to show entry to grounds at Tatton is £3.90 per car and an additional £5 per adult for Classic Car Show, children Free. May be an idea for anyone interested just to meet up outside and enter en-bloc (as a last resort).

- (#12696) John N, 12 Aug 04 13:04