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Toni
Biodiesel progress report
After a couple of months and 1000 miles running my Landcruiser on biodiesel I have the following to report:
Pros:
- Feels great to be driving on soybeans!
- Getting gas at SFbiofuels has been easy (very nice people there too)
- The car runs perfectly well and a little more quietly than on petrodiesel
- No more puffs of black smoke when starting the car (it’s puffs of white smoke now)
Cons:
- The exhaust smell takes a little getting used to (smells like a french fryer, which I guess is still better than regular exhaust)
- 10% lower gas mileage
My next goal is to get my kids’ school to switch their 8 buses over to biodiesel (I’d love to hear from people who have done a similar project).
rick, and 
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L-girl
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rick
Hopefully for the next biodiesel be a leader not gasoline . And more community use biodiesel. we hope so good for environment not hazardous. Good luck and good for future
Toni
Switching to biodiesel, part IV
It’s taken me a while, but I have finally made my transition to biodiesel! In the last installment I talked about picking up my diesel Land Rover in Port Hueneme and then getting it ready for the road. Well, something came up while it was in the shop getting fixed up. I had originally been looking for a diesel Landcruiser as my biodiesel project car. After months of trying, I gave up and went for the Land Rover instead. Then while the Land Rover was in the shop, I found a great
Landcruiser – so now I have 2 biodiesel cars! I found the Landcruiser on eBay. It was listed by Chevrolake Motors in Canada, a car importer/exporter whose name I’d seen listed in the Landcruiser web forums as a reliable Landcruiser importer. I called them up and the car sounded promising, lots of miles (260,000!), but a straight, well maintained car with very little rust. So I headed up to Seattle to meet with Wayne Darby from Chevrolake. He picked me up at the airport and I liked the car immediately (Wayne too 
). I bought it on the spot and drove it back to San Francisco (Wayne was nice enough to let me borrow his dealer plates for the trip). (More …)
Stephen Asher, 
Matt, 
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Rob McDonald
Hi,
I’m interested in buying your Land Rover. Can you please respond with details of the vehicle and/ or a number to contact you. I live in Napa so can easily pop down to look at the vehicle.
Thanks Rob -
Lloyd Budd
I have really enjoyed reading your biodiesel tale as biodiesel is completely new to me. It seems to be a fantastic way to make a smaller impact with these great vehicles.
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kent
it’s not just the young neighborhood kids who are in love with tony’s land rover… i live just around the corner from him and have caught a few precious glimpses of it. it’s a beauty.
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Josh Guttman
Toni – I’ve thought about doing this a few times, but its decidedly harder in NYC. Do you rely on SF BioDiesel Co-Op exclusively? Would you have done this if you had to do more of the veggie oil processing yourself?
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Toni
> Do you rely on SF BioDiesel Co-Op exclusively?
So far yes. I’ve seen announcements of additional biodiesel pumps to open in San Francisco, but so far the only reliable supply I’ve found is the co-op.
> Would you have done this if you had to do more of the veggie oil processing yourself?
Nope
Mark In California
Hi:
Have you sold the Rover? I went to the UK site you mentioned and have to give you credit for picking such a great car.
You have done what I have been dreaming to do. Purchase a diesel SUV and import it.
Do they have to be over 25 years old to get the ease of import that you did?
For example, could I import a late model Rover?
Thanks for your response. It’s hell getting a diesel SUV here in CA!
David
Hi,
Excellent site, a friend referred me to your page and I’m glad I was able to find it.
I was wondering if you could elaborate on your experience with the CA DMV when you registered the UK Rover. I am in the process of purchasing an ‘82 Landcruiser (over 25 years) which has already cleared customs and is registered in Georgia. I’ve read extensively online, but much of the online info relates to Canadian versions. Since your UK Rover was likely imported similarly to the soon-to-be mine Aussie LC, I am wondering if you could let me know the process you went through and any snags for which I should be ready. Feel free to email me if you like.
Thanks!
Art
wow, i love the subject.
Thoose are BIG friendly vehicles .
Matt
Hi
Enjoyed reading your story, just seeing if you still want to sell the Landy, im an ex Pat from England and looking for a bit of home, let me know if your interested to sell it.
Matt
Stephen Asher
Toni: Nice website. I will assume the Rover is sold but, if not, please contact me as this is exactly what I am in the midst of (trying to) import from the UK. I have probably read too much of the regulatory blurb, but feel like I am walking through a minefield. Any encouraging words appreciated. I too want to run my truck on either biodiesel or WVO. Any advise re the latter? Thanks.SWA
Toni
Switching to biodiesel, part III
I’ve gotten quite a few questions about my progress on getting my diesel Land Rover into the country and running on biodiesel. Well, some things have gone well and some haven’t .
In my last installment I described how I had found a diesel Land Rover from an outfit called UK LandRovers in, you guessed it, the UK. They shipped the car in early July and it arrived in Port Hueneme, just south of Santa Barbara about 5 weeks later. The UK LandRovers guys sent me all the necessary paperwork and I called the port people who recommended Soo Hoo Customs Broker to get the car through customs. The Soo Hoo people were super friendly and efficient and 10 days and $400 ($200 to Soo Hoo and $200 for import taxes) later, I got a call that my car was ready for pickup. I checked with the DMV and they said to just drive it home from the port and then bring it to the DMV to get plates (sounded surprisingly relaxed for a DMV).
Erik O'Neal, 
Jim, 
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Jeffrey
Terrific story! Since I went to college I’ve broken down on the trip from SB to SF many times…it’s definitely not fun on the weekends.
I also used to live a few blocks from Port Hueneme. You were lucky to have gotten out of there before the vehicle started giving you trouble.
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The Rover Blog
U really r a cars lover
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celine
Awsome story- Need to know how a diesel engine can switch to biodiesel- Does it need an engineer?
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Toni
celine: No. The great thing about biodiesel is that it works in regular diesel engines and can be mixed with standard diesel. Older diesel cars (pre-1995) may need replacement of fuel lines. More info here: http://www.berkeleybiodiesel.org/bbc/faq.html#modify_car
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Gabe
Eagerly awaiting the rest of the story. Also, could you give your attentive readers a breakdown of your costs? That’ll either inspire us to follow in your footsteps–or a be a compelling reason why not to! Thanks!
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JJB
I just bought a Series III from UK Land Rovers. I wish I had seen your blog before I did. You said it took 5 weeks to get your car? They told me 20 days!
They did not tell me anything about a customs broker. Do you have to use one?
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JJB
The series III i got has a Daihatsu Diesel. Do you recomend and modifications to run B20?
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Jim
I also just bought a Series III 109 from UK Land Rovers. They have been great so far, I have added on a few extras like a bush bar, roof rack, over-drive, and rear seats at extremely reasonable prices.
My truck will arrive at Port hueneme on 4/9/2007.
I also went through the same thought process of buying a vehicle that can run on either bio-deisel or pure vegetable oil.
Please write me at jbutscher@go.com if you have questions or want to check in my progress. Jim
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Erik O'Neal
I have been thinking about swapping the 2.5 petrol motor in my Series III for a diesel and adapting it for biodiesel. Does anyone know where I might find a LR Diesel engine in good nick here in the states. I don’t want to just get another truck as my SIII is a known evil.
Toni
Switching to biodiesel, part II
After deciding to give biodiesel a try, I had to get a diesel car. It’s not the easiest task in the world to find a good diesel in San Francisco. Because of current regulations, you can’t buy a new diesel in California. So cars like the Jeep Liberty CRD, or the various new diesel Volkswagen’s are out unless you can find a used one – check diesels on Craigslist to see what’s available, they tend to run in the $15-30k range. If you want to spend less (like I did), you can find used Mercedes diesels (check Craigslist again or eBay). There are lots of well preserved 80s models in the $5-10k range. All of the above will work with biodiesel with either no or minimal conversion (replacement of fuel lines might be required on older models). Finally, there are also some diesel pickups and SUVs that show up in those listings. I dismissed those because they are on the large/inconvenient side for San Francisco.
duncan, 
Amy, 
Ken and 6 others are discussing. -
Ella
Hi,
Well, I have to drive a minivan (son uses wheelchair) and there are no environmentally frienly minivans. I have looked at the dodge sprinters but all I need is a MINI van so that would be overkill. I have a Mazda MPV (best minivan gasmileage) but feel that this is not much of a compromise. Europe is full of Diesel VW vans. How can I import one??? -
Administrator
That’s going to be tough. I’ve seen a couple of 80s diesel Vanagons for sale online, but they are usually pretty old. The newer VW vans I believe are impossible to import because they were never sold in the US and they are newer than 25 years (the limit for importing cars without requiring officially approved engines and smog checks).
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William
Beware of the diesel Vanagons, though. I was looking into them for biodiesel conversion and the two years that they were offered as diesel (either ‘81/’82 or ‘82/’83, I forget whch), were lemons. Very underpowered and VW tinkerers stay away from them. I get this info from the Go Westy people.
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Stuart
Please let us know when the Land Rover arrives.
Thanks
ken
Do you suggest any particular diesel Land Rovers for Biodiesel conversion?
How/Where do you plan to get the biodiesel from? Homekit? Pumps near you?
I have always wanted to convert a classic LR to biodiesel.
Toni
Ken – all my research so far is summarized at http://toni.wordpress.com/biodiesel-info/. I use the pump at the SF Biofuels coop (http://sfbiofuels.org/). They are great. Any Land Rover diesel will work, they are just so hard to find.
Ken
Hey Ella,
I was also looking for a larger diesel vehicle. What William said is true of the older diesel Vanagons. The Green Car Company has an innovative service though. They buy an older Vanagon and restore it. Then they import a modern 1.9L turbodiesel from Europe with less than 50k miles on it and convert the Vanagon. So you get excellent power, 30-35 mpg, and they are bio-diesel ready. http://www.diamondlot.com/greencarco/green/ I have not visited them to look at their vehicles in person, but if anyone does, a review would be appreciated…
Ken
Amy
I am selling a diesel land cruiser that i run on bio99 in the summer and a blend in the winter. its in awesome shape 200,000 miles 1983 great inside and out (has the typical rust but all cruisers do) heat, electric, defrost all still in great working order, new stereo, 5 speed manual, 4 wheel drive, hitch, winch, please e-mail me if you are interested leftfeet3@gmail.com posted July 2007
duncan
i build custom land rovers for the usa market, from england right now but looking at moving the operation to california. most of what i do is diesel though can also do propane cars too.
any land rover will run on biodiesel yes, but some run ok on veggie oil others not so well……… email me at duncangrows@hotmail.com if you want more info on what i do :O)
Toni
Switching to biodiesel, part I
Back in February, Braughm gave me the idea to try out biodiesel. Pretty soon thereafter, I decided that I want to switch my primary car over to a renewable fuel. This has taken a little bit of research, which I’d like to share here.
Step 1 was to pick a fuel.
My requirements
Replace my primary car (a 1993 Volvo Wagon) with a car that runs on a renewable fuel. I’d like to be able to get the fuel without going way out of my way. If I’m stuck somewhere without renewable fuel, I’d like to be able to use “normal” gas or diesel as a backup. And while I’m at it, I’d like to get a smaller car that’s a little bit more convenient for around San Francisco. The cost of the fuel is not a huge factor for me (because I don’t drive that much and won’t mind paying extra if it’s better for the planet). The cost of the car is a factor, because I don’t want to invest a lot in a car that might not be the best alternative fuel choice in 2-3 years.
The requirement to be able to use widely available fuel as a backup pretty quickly narrowed my choices to ethanol or biodiesel, which can be run alongside regular gasoline or diesel respectively.
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Weston
Good for you. I’ve been thinking about doing the same. So when are you actually switching? Please keep posting about your epxerience with bio.
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Todd
Any update on the vehicles your considering?
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Administrator
Working on it!
Svend
I met a friends friend the other day who sells natural gas for vehicles. It is hard to fill up if you are on the road a lot, but what he does is converts your car and then sets up a line in your garage so when you come home you plug in the natural gas (which you should already be using) and it fills up while you are at home or using a bike or something. When you are ready to leave, you simply unplug it and drive. It comes out of your natural gas bill and he was claiming it was the best way to go, but then again he is the salesman for the company so naturally he would say that.
Jeffrey
So hey Toni, now that these MicroFueler guys are selling $10,000 ethanol refineries you can run in your garage, are you going to buy one?
Toni
Brent
Is the driver of this wearing a helmet?!! That is hilarious!
Why does an environmentally friendly vehicle always have to look like a gay spaceship? Just wondering. (No offense to gays or spaceships)
By the way, note that the website offers no information on the safety aspects of this sardine tin.
Ever heard of a motorcycle, people? Buy a Harley if your car is too big.
Personally, I love gas-guzzling, pollution emitting SUVs. Suburbans are the best.
American trucks rule. The bigger the better.
I prefer to buy gas at, as expensive a price as possible, just for bragging rights.
A few years back, a foreign woman hit my truck head-on (because she obviously doesn’t know our traffic laws here in America). Her little car was totaled, while my truck’s headlight was cracked.
Toni
Citroen SM
Apropos nothing, I would like to show you this fabulous Citroen from the category of “I’d love to have one if it wasn’t completely impractical”:
Fun facts:
- Maserati engine
- Self-leveling hydraulic suspension
- Self-centering, speed dependent steering
- Headlights connected to hydraulic suspension (to dampen bumps)
About 13,000 Citroen SMs were made between 1970-75. They are notoriously difficult to restore and maintain (hmm, let’s see a hydraulic suspension plus a Maserati engine = maybe some trouble?) but oh so beautiful and apparently very smooth and powerful to drive.
Yug, 
Louis, 
Mark and 7 others are discussing. -
Brian Phipps
I like Citroens too, but your sentence, “I’d love to have one if it wasn’t completely impractical,” says it all. 1) there will be hydraulic leaks; and 2) 99.99% of the mechanics are “over there.”
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scribs
SMs are no more problematic than any other Cits, if you have a good mechanic. And money. And patience.
I’ve driven a couple and they are wonderful, in most respects seem very modern even by today’s standards, once you get used to a few quirks.
The one in the picture would be a real find, as it looks to have the very rare carbon-fiber wheels.
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TOm
Wow! My Father had one he bought new in ‘73 and had it imported from France. It was his daily driver for a while and alway got looks every where it was. It was rumored to go about 160mph. I never tested although my father claims to have pushe dit late one night on the San Mateo Bridge.. Very fun and VERY tight steering. I ran into an idential SM the other day in Marina Del Rey, I wish we still had it. Our family needs as much maintenace as these cars and thus I was not “consulted” on it’s departure or it would be in my garage…oh well, Ces la Vi (sp?)
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Simon
A brilliant car I would love to own. My family has always had a DS citroens and they are difficult to maintain but brilliant in ride, steering and braking. they feel very modern even compared to the latest cars in many ways. All the features of a DS plus advanced steering and an Italian engine screaming away would be a lot of fun.
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MarathonMan801
. . . but they didn’t scream – the engines, I mean. The SM was a pure boulevard cruiser designed to make young ladies mislay their underwear.
I was a passenger in one at the end of the Seventies, on a sunny afternoon, alongside the sea. And the effect was rapturous.
I looked into the possibility of buying one recently, but the outlay and the sheer complexity of the restoration made me wince. I still think it is one of the most glamourous shapes I have ever seen, with a front end to rival Marilyn and hips like Jane Birkin. But high maintenance; definitely high maintenance. -
SM=SupremeMotoring
I pity all you poor dudes who are so scared of the SM based on its technical sophistication. Speaking as a long time owner/driver/restorer of these cars I can tell you they are no more problem (nor more expensive) to own than any other ‘exotic’ car in their class. Compare the cost to restore/maintain any Porsche/Ferrari/Maserati/Benz of the same period and you’ll find everything being said here about the excessive cost of ownership ridiculous! To the contrary these cars are one of the great bargains on the market now compared to any of their contemporary rivals. The comfort, performance, and styling is unmatched by anything else of the period (early 70’s) and current price range ($5000-$15,000). This car got a very misleading reputation as a result of many owners simply neglecting or abusing them. If they are maintained as they were intended to be, they are at least as reliable, if not more so, as any exotic car of their period!! Not only that, but if you put the effort into doing a proper restoration, they are beginning to be recognized and can (and have!!) fectched upwards of $50,000 for superb examples~! Compare that with the value of a typical Porsche 912/911 of the period, or a Maserati Merak, or a Benz SL, and you’ll see what a good value and investment these cars truly are!
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jrkmt1
TOm, the spelling is c’est la vis. Great car though. My lady saw one and fell in love with it. My preference is the old 2CV. Yes, it’s a lot slower but you can travel over a greater variety of terrain with one.
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Mark
Citroen is and always has been inovative, the SM is a supream example. It is in my mind one of the most sexy cars ever produced. I want one, always have. One day my ship will come in.
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Louis
I have owned a 1972 SM for 5 years now and the maintenance has been minimal You must buy a good car to begin with and you’ll do just fine. The car is actually very reliable and a dream to drive. Built like iron. If this car was made with today’s technology it would be the best car on the road. When I bought my car I had to drive it 1400 miles home, averaging 80 mph and turning at only 3000 revs. while getting 25 mpg! The 3 dual-throated Webers performed flawlessly. I can’t imagine a performance car today doing the same, what a pity.
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Yug
All the expense of a Ferrari, but with none of the social stigma.
Hi, thanks for your comment on my blog. I replied there.