Friday, March 11, 2011

Is Biodiesel Safe For Your Car Engine?

One thing that oil companies tend to hark on about a lot is the "engine-cleaning" properties of premium fuel blends that cost an arm and a leg. Whilst there is merit in the argument that putting the best fuel possible in your vehicle will yield not only the best performance, but help keep your engine in tip-top shape, it doesn't detract from the financial cost you will feel from filling your car up with the good stuff.

A question that many ask about biofuels, especially biodiesel, is whether they are safe to be used in your car engine, and whether they detract from the lifespan of your engine. This is a valid concern; there is no point in saving money by making your own fuel only to find yourself stuck with a thousand dollar bill to repair the fuel system or injectors.

The long and short of it is that biodiesel, when properly made, is actually better for a diesel-engined vehicle than regular petrodiesel. It has far better lubricative properties, and can prolong the life of your engine. The main problem with using biodiesel in engines comes from the fact that it can eat away seals and hoses that are made from regular rubber. You are only likely to find hoses like these in older vehicles (those made prior to 1992) Newer cars use a different type of rubber that is not prone to being eaten away.

However, once an engine is properly modified to run biodiesel you can rest assured knowing that you are putting a cleaner-burning fuel into your tank that also helps to keep your engine lubricated and running properly.

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