Injection pump rebuilds in Van?

[joedelica]

Began running B20 on Monday and have had conflicting info about changing the lines, seals, etc. over to Viton and rebuilding the injection pump; si I have now stopped running B20 as a safety measure. Can anyone recommend someone in Van to do this job? Secondly, does anyone know the approx. cost for a job like this? Really want to run bio, preferably B40 ASAP!

Cheers,

Joe

[delicat]

Mardy's shop can rebuilt your pump but it's probably a $500-$600 job. A lot of them have started leaking on these older buses so might be a good idea anyway. The lines can be changed by you pretty easily.

It would be nice to know if B20 is ok or just over the top as it's probably the most readily available over here. I've started using it as well but wouldn't go higher without replacing my lines and seals. I think I should be ok with B20 though.

[mararmeisto]

If you are making biodiesel yourself, it is possible to produce the higher blends. Commercially, the only blend that is available in Canada at this time is B5 (from what I've been able to determine) and that is through Columbia Fuels here on Van Island (don't know what else is available elsewhere in the country).

As for engine and fuel system integrity, check the following: http://oee.rncan.gc.ca/transportation/f ... fm?attr=16

I remember reading somewhere else that SOME engine manufacturers have indicated that blends up to B20 would not require any modifications to their stock production. That being said, if you're going to be a veggie burner, you've got to change out all the particular parts because you'll be burning straight vegetable oil at times and that will 'eat' away the natural rubber fuel lines and gaskets. Read more here: http://www.vegiecars.com/converting/

[delicat]

Correct me if I'm wrong but you said only B5 is available? I filled at a commercial station last night with B20, are we talking about the same thing?

[joedelica]

So are we to assume that up to and including B20 is okay for the existing system without any modifications???
This is where is start to get conflicting info.

[mararmeisto]

Correct me if I'm wrong but you said only B5 is available? I filled at a commercial station last night with B20, are we talking about the same thing?

Where did you get B20? What company?

When I speak of biodiesel I mean dino-diesel with some plant oil component (not sure what Columbia Fuels uses, but soy and rapeseed are common). See here for further description: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiesel

The unease with B20 has more to due with the manufacturers protecting their product, I think. They developed their engines to run on dino-diesel, so when you put something else into it they get uneasy. The fact remains, Rudolf Diesel developed his engine to run on plant oil because that was what was available at the time (and coal dust, but that didn't work so well). With further refinement of crude and greater reserves discovered at the end of the 19th Century, diesel fuel became more widely available and therefore the fuel of choice.

I can't view this page at work (damned firewall), but this looks promising: http://www.biodiesel-canada.org/

EnviroImports: what needs to be changed in these vehicles to run WVO?

[joedelica]

We can get B20 and B40 at a company called AutoGasPropane (I think that is right?)
They have a few locations: Main St. and E.3rd in Van B20 only,
Byrne Road in Burnaby B20 and B40 and on Annacis Island towards
the Alex Fraser Bridge B20 only.

So we still haven't answered if non-modifications can accommodate up to B20 on our Deli's?

Joe

[Adam]

Aside from the addition of the heating components (VegTherm & VegMax) I have not made any changes to my system to run WVO. Biodiesel is much more of a solvent than veg oil, I don't believe any alterations to your existing seals/fuel lines are needed if you are using WVO.

[Kuan]

Hi guys,

I'm running and producing biodiesel here on the island. I ran B20 in our van for the past year (just sold it) with no modifications and no problems at all. I had it serviced and tuned at CVI before I sold it and there was no problems with it.

I think you guys should be ok as long as you keep an eye on your lines, fuel filter and pump. The best thing to do is carry an extra fuel filter with you at all times. Biodiesel is a solvent and will clean out your fuel tank and fuel lines and carry everything to the fuel filter. Mine never clogged but its been known to happen.

Also, its generally recommended to ween your vehicle onto biodiesel. Adding 5-10 litres more each fill up. So start at B5 or B10 and work your way up. This is more gentle on the system and cleans stuff out slowly. It also lets you know if anything goes wrong and maybe the maximum biodiesel you are comfortable running.

As for having the fuel pump rebuilt and lines replaced, I don't think its necessary on the outset. Its not like your van will explode but it will just start to leak and if you are monitoring it well you will know. The lines will become spongy and start to weep or the fuel pump will start to leak.

But definitely carry that extra fuel filter and know how to change it. Thats where you are likely to have problems.

Like I said, I am producing here and will be weening the new truck on and planning to go upto B100 in the summer months but will do it gradually and monitor the running condition so I'll report back here with any findings.

Actually, I still could not find out whether the fuel pump seals are rubber or synthetic....same as the fuel lines. Does anyone have a definitive answer?

As for the Ops question. Talk to Mardy and CVI. The most Delica knowledge is there.
Hope that helps.

[vanjuggler]

I buy biodiesel as strong as I can get as often as I can. I recently replaced my fuel lines and filter at RJD in north van, but prior to that I was running lots of b40 and occaisonal tanks of b100 without any problems for 8 months.

My first bio fill up was b20, then I went to b40 (out at AutoGasPropane), and now I fill up with bio as much as possible. When I drive down the I5, I stop in Seattle and Portland and buy b99. It all runs great.

Keep an eye on your fuel lines and filter (as the above poster suggested), but I wouldn't be too worried about bio. It smells great though!

I bought a 20L tank to fill up with that extra bit of bio whenever I can.

[mararmeisto]

The key question has still not been answered: are the fuel lines and the gaskets rubber or synthetic? Until that question is answered we will continue to keep labouring over this point.

[Kuan]

I think Noel from Enviroimports might have done some tests but I can't find the post right now. The best way to test the fuel lines is to cut a sample off and soak it in some B100. If it turns spongy after some time then you have rubber. Not sure about the fuel pump except to do the same thing.

Come to think of it, it might also depend on the year of your van too....

Kuan

[dbaba]

Mardy's shop can rebuilt your pump but it's probably a $500-$600 job. A lot of them have started leaking on these older buses so might be a good idea anyway. The lines can be changed by you pretty easily.

It would be nice to know if B20 is ok or just over the top as it's probably the most readily available over here. I've started using it as well but wouldn't go higher without replacing my lines and seals. I think I should be ok with B20 though.

Correction: MardyDelica don't have a shop.

[Adam]

The key question has still not been answered: are the fuel lines and the gaskets rubber or synthetic? Until that question is answered we will continue to keep labouring over this point.

I'm pretty sure that all the gaskets and fuel lines originally install on these early 90s vans are rubber and not synthetic. The more relevant question is will biodiesel break down the seals and lines, if so, is there a safe biodiesel/diesel mix that will not degrade the rubber (b5, b20, b40?). Right now I'm getting my biodiesel from the co-op in Victoria and running b50 in my diesel tanks and WVO through my kit. The lines should be easy to test by taking shavings off the hoses and putting them in jars of b20, b40, b50....b100. The seals on the other hand will be more difficult to test. Perhaps one of the Imports/mechanics that have wrecked vehicles could make sample of the seals available to someone for testing with biodiesel.