How to make your own biodiesel fuel
Friday April 20, 2007
With fuel well over $3/gallon in most parts of the US, who hasn't dreamed of telling the oil companies to shove off, and making their own fuel in their basement or garage? Well, Christine and Scott Gable, About.com's Guides to Alternative Fuels, have done exactly that. They are among the scores of people who run their cars on home-made biodiesel made from waste vegetable oil -- the stuff restaraunts throw out. Their homemade biodiesel is great for the environment -- it's totally renewable and pollutes less than petroleum-based diesel -- and it's also really inexpensive. Want to see how it's done? Check out their step-by-step guide to making your own biodiesel. -- Aaron Gold
Photo © Adrian Gable
But if we’re supposed to stop eating french fries, where are we gonna get all this vegetable oil?
can i convert a 2000 freightliner with a 3406 cat engine to use biodiesel?
Paul – that’s the nice thing about biodiesel, no conversion necessary. If memory serves, as long as the engine has no natural rubber in the fuel system, you’re good to go. Might want to check your warranty book though, to check what percentage of biodiesel you can run without voiding the engine’s warranty.
Hi Paul,
Aaron is right, no conversion is necessary to run biodiesel in a diesel engine. Your engine is new enough that it should have all synthetic seals and be fine to run B10 (10% blend) if not B20 (20% blend). But do double check your manufacturer warranty specs to be sure.
–Scott
Hey BJ,
Oh no, eating french fries is good for you. I’m sure I’ve read that somewhere.
At the minimum, they do wonders for your happiness quotient!
–Scott