anyone using Biodiesel?

[kawasaki_girl]

My husband just recently converted a car he purchased (cheap!) to run biodiesel in. He started making his own in our garage, and wondered if anyone else in WW or nearby has tried making it?



So far, so good. He claims his car now smells like french fries.
He eventually wants to run it in our diesel truck! 

[Surfer_Dude]

WWdreamn has and another family in town.  The co-opped making it I believe.  I will let her chime in..WWdreamn?

[WWDREAMN]

Found the biggest problem to be getting enough oil, there really isn't that many resturants around and the bigger ones (like mcdonalds) will not let you have theirs. the smaller ones just don't produce enough. The cars ran great and the exhaust did smell better. You also need to be careful of the freezing weather, I think you can do a mixture with regular diesel or put in some additive to keep it from turning into thick sludge (not good) and keep running it.

[kawasaki_girl]

hubby uses an additive from Amsoil. it works great in the freezing weather.
 
I am now on the lookout for a vehicle for me, to replace my kia sedan. i want (if possible) a diesel, with all wheel drive. Anyone know of such a thing within reasonable price???

[3PinkRoses]

Chosen Motors/C Leoni in Pinon Hills has converted over to this biodiesel stuff. Runs his cars on vegie oil....pm me and I will send along his number!! He's saving thousand is gasoline prices, yet has difficulty getting the used oil.

[WWDREAMN]

Not sure about all wheel drive on this and they are hard to find but VW makes a Jetta TDI (diesel). Older Mercedes had a diesel other wise I think you may have to go to a truck or large SUV (Ford Excursion or pre 2000 Suburban). When my hubby was running biodiesel, I wanted to switch and that was what I was able to find.

[kawasaki_girl]

We have a 2006 GMC diesel truck, but we don't want to switch, as it is still under warranty and may affect the vehicle warranty if something happened.

I like the Jetta, they are hard to find and EXPENSIVE. Once while in Colorado I saw a VW beetle drive by and it was diesel. that would be cool!
May have to stick with the Mercedes, want something on the small side.

[WWDREAMN]

Just saw this on craigslist.com and it sounds like a great car for someone looking for one! Don't know if you are or not, but thought I would post it just incase.
Jetta TDI Package II only 18k miles 2006 - $8000
Rare TDI with excellent options (package 2) and great mileage. Options include automatic with tiptronic, heated seats, digital dual zone climate, power driver's seat with memory, full leather interior, power moonroof with tilt and slide, premium sound with MP3, full function trip computer, leather wrapped smart steering wheel (has buttons for stereo and trip computer functions), heated mirrors, power windows/locks/mirrors, keyless entry with anti-theft, 6 curtain airbags, 4 side airbags, and 2 front airbags (12 total), and traction control. This car is under plenty of remaining factory warranty. It was sold new at Dreyer Reinbold Greenwood on February 21st, 2006 (in service date). Factory warranty on this car is 4 years 50k miles, and powertrain is 5 years 60k miles, leaving TONS of factory warranty still left

[lagomorphmom]

At that price, better check that the frame is straight and it wasn't in an accident!

[lagomorphmom]

I take that back, make sure it's not stolen. If you go to the LA Times there's three similar used TDI Jettas for $24,995-$25,995 

[snwbnny]

We have a 2002 Jetta TDI. They are hard to find and expensive. In fact dealers sell them for way over blue book retail and its completely normal! We bought ours a couple years ago for a lot more than we should have. Good little car but I'm completely over it. Maintenance on it is ridiculous. You will find that only certain people (not the dealer or repair shops) can work on them because of various computer programs and methods of maintenance. Oil is expensive too (and the right kind is hard to find)- it almost costs 70 bucks for an oil change. Transmission services are outrageous, timing belt changes, etc. All are way more than any other care I've owned. Most won't know any of this stuff till its too late. Check out the forums on tdiclub.com. Most of em on there love their cars, but will give real info on repair stuff.

The reason the TDIs are hard to find in CA is because there weren't very many made here. There is a guy in Fullerton who buys them in other states and brings em here and sells them with the new registration done. He is one of the only mechanics around who can really work on them the right way as well. We take ours to him for certain things. I think his place is called Wild Rose Motors. I recommend buying from him if you really wanted to go that route.

By the way, Jetta TDIs are not AWD. Not sure about any other VW models.

But the upside to this little car --- the fuel mileage! We can get 700 miles on one tank (if driven very fuel consciously). It gets right around 40-42 miles to the gallon. Yah that's a nice little perk. Even with higher diesel prices, it is working out as an advantage fuel wise.

[WWDREAMN]

Just for the record, I am not selling the car, I just remembered this discussion when I was looking at craigslist today. It is very possible it is a typo, but I doubt it is stolen as the guy even know the inservice date and if it was wrecked, he didn't mention a salvage title, but that would void the great warranty coverage he talks about.

[WWDREAMN]

Just looked up the listing to show my husband, and it seems to be gone.