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Anybody using Biodiesel?

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Timberwolf Enthusiast

Timberwolf

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I'm not running it, but I have done research on it. It's actually better for your engine- keeps it cleaner, better lubricity and produces less pollutants. The concern with "homemade" fuel is quality control. You have to get all the particulates out as well as the water. You also have to get the esters out or you have to heat your tank and all the lines to 180 deg. If you don't do it right, you get a nasty gummy mess in your fuel lines and injectors.

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kc5deb Enthusiast

kc5deb

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I think what a lot of people are forgetting to mention is that there are still taxes to be paid on even homemade biodiesel. I think you can "homebrew" up to 400 gallons before you have to worry with federal tax, and some states like Texas still require a certain amount per gallon that you use in a vehicle that travels on the roads.

 

Someone please post some links proving me wrong, cause if I am, I'm seriously considering buying a diesel if gas gets up to the $3/gallon mark and stays.

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  • 2 weeks later...
kc5deb Enthusiast

kc5deb

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Just got off the phone with my state's comptroller office's fuel division. With the high price of oil, I was putting up some numbers to see if it would be economical to buy a diesel pickup and sell my gas, and make my own biodiesel.

 

I was mainly concerned with any taxes that I might owe since I would be driving my truck on the Texas highways...

 

WELL, I discoverd that unless you make over 400/gal a quarter (1600 gallons a year) of biodiesel, you're exempt from any federal taxes. And, the state of Texas doesn't have any taxes for someone to make their own diesel on a per gallon charge, so, you're excempt from state taxes.

 

BUT, in order to make biodiesel, you have to mix, or "blend", it with methanol. The very instant you do that, you have now become a "blender" according to the state of Texas. Basicly, a "blender" is anyone who mixes a petroleum product outside the bulk/transfer terminal with another product to come up with a product that can be used to fuel a motor vehicle. You can apply for your "blender's permit" which costs nothing. The only catch is, you have to put up a bond of $30,000, either as a cash deposit, a certificate of deposit, a letter of credit from the bank, or a surity bond.

 

SO, in order to make even the smallest amount of biodiesel in the state of Texas LEGALLY, look at popping down 30k grand for a license to do it.

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kc5deb Enthusiast

kc5deb

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I was getting ready to find someone to buy my gas guzzler, and look at buying a diesel, just so I could make my own biodiesel and finally save some $$$ on driving. I was worried about the same thing myself, so, I did some "googling". I looked all over the place in multiple forums, newsgroups, etc. and I have yet to come across one post/story/article about biodiesel ruining their engine.

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blacksmoke Enthusiast

blacksmoke

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I was getting ready to find someone to buy my gas guzzler, and look at buying a diesel, just so I could make my own biodiesel and finally save some $$$ on driving.  I was worried about the same thing myself, so, I did some "googling".  I looked all over the place in multiple forums, newsgroups, etc. and I have yet to come across one post/story/article about biodiesel ruining their engine.

 

 

 

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blacksmoke Enthusiast

blacksmoke

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Sorry guys im sooo new im having alot of bugs. I do live in Calif. and i do make my own Biodiesel,it is very easy to make great quality fule. I dont buy products in bulk and i dont (yet) use a methanol recovery system and i still only pay 64 cents per gal. that i make myself.I will be making some later today.I need to install my cat deleat and my 2 micron pre oem filter now so ill return later.

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DetroitJoeSSS New Member

DetroitJoeSSS

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I was thinking about the same thing. I want to put a diesel in my project 1950 3100, and run bio.

 

 

just for info

bio is rated the same as premium diesel fuel.

 

some mixing is necessary if you are running them at lower temps.

 

I just need to find a possible diesel engine/trans to use??? any suggestions? A dmax is a little costly:(

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  • 1 year later...
mschuyler Enthusiast

mschuyler

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The only catch is, you have to put up a bond of $30,000, either as a cash deposit, a certificate of deposit, a letter of credit from the bank, or a surity bond.

 

SO, in order to make even the smallest amount of biodiesel in the state of Texas LEGALLY, look at popping down 30k grand for a license to do it.

 

 

 

 

I don't think so. If a "surety bond" is an option, the face on the bond is for $30K, but it doesn't cost that much to buy the bond. A couple of years ago I had to buy a similar bond for circumstances that are off topic :-) I needed a bond for about $450,000. The bond itself cost about $1,000 for two years. So, if the portions are correct, that bond might not cost you a whole lot. You might want to check into what a $30,000 surety would cost you before you write off the idea. Talk to your house insurance people. I have a company called PEMCO (local to WA state) where I have house, car, and umbrella insurance. I've had them for 30 years. They helped me find a bond agent and gave me a good recommendation.

 

Anyway, might be worth checking out....

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