Response from: Gadet001    (09/02/07 2:28am)

I already make and use my own biodiesel for my cars. Biodiesel is less flammable than petroleum diesel it has a higher flash point. If you have gasoline for your lawnmower or other equipment you are more at risk than with biodiesel. Biodiesel degrades much faster and is far less harsh on the environment than petroleum. The exhaust when using 100% biodiesel with no petroleum is 92% cleaner than petroleum has higher system lubricity and is CO2 neutral. The only claimed increase is NOx emissions but doing exhaust gas tests on my cars and several other vehicles including two tractors shows equal or lower NOx not an increase. Biodiesel is great if made properly and use basic common sense and sfety regulations. - Gadget001

Response from: SLG    (09/02/07 11:50am)

A few things:

1) Until last year US diesel fuel was much dirtier than European fuel precluding the import of clean diesel engine vehicles.
2) Likewise, the noise issue has been solved by and large in passenger vehicles. A gas powered Honda rice-rocket makes more noise than most new diesel cars.
3) Biodiesel is non-toxic and biodegradable, it breaks down at the same rate as granulated sugar and is less toxic than table salt.
4) Finally, biodiesel is technically not flammable. It’s flash point is over 300º F compared with petroleum diesel which has a flash point of 143° F and gasoline at -45° F. I'd worry more about storing the methanol and lye needed to make Biodiesel in my garage.

Response from: Gadet001    (09/02/07 1:01pm)

I already make and use my own biodiesel in two of my vehicles. Biodiesel is less flammable than petroleum diesel it has a higher flash point than petroleum diesel. If you store gasoline for running yard equipment anywhere near your home you are more at risk than from biodiesel. Biodiesel is less toxic than table salt and will biodegrade if spilled with little effect on the environment.Biodiesel has far less harmful exhaust emissions and is CO2 neutral. I have ran mobile gas tests on my car and found that the EPA claimed increase in NOx emissions may happen to be higher in some cars but not in either one of my Mercedes. I have ran the homemade fuel in numerous tractors with excellent results. Homemade biodiesel costs less than $1.00 to produce using waste cooking oil. Biodiesel is much higher in lubricity unlike the new ultra-low sulfur diesel that has been causing increased wear in diesels. - Gadget001

Response from: Dameon Welch-Abernathy    (09/05/07 2:28am)

Thanks for the corrections, guys. Look forward to seeing more diesels in the US.