Use Biodiesel Fuel Safely

Use biodiesel in any diesel engine with no modification required unless the owner's manual advises against it. If you're unsure, a mixture of b20 (20 percent biodiesel) is deemed safe for most automobiles.

Check whether your fuel lines are rubber; if they are, replace them with synthetic lines. Biodiesel can cause leaking in rubber fuel lines. This is generally not a problem in vehicles manufactured after 2000.

Add biocides monthly to your fuel tank. Biodiesel absorbs moisture from the air in half-empty fuel tanks, causing bacterial growth to accelerate.

Clean fuel tanks prior to introducing biodiesel. Biodiesel blends greater than b20 can have a solvent effect on tanks and lines, cleaning built-up deposits and contaminating the fuel with particulate matter which then clogs the fuel filter. Using a low-blend, high-quality biodiesel will also help minimize this problem.

Purchase only the amount of chemicals you need if making your own batch of biodiesel. Methanol, a common ingredient in biodiesel, is extremely dangerous to store at your home. Limit your supply to no more than two 5-gallon containers.