Does Oil Break Engines?

Note: Our remarks have been added in bold.

Rapeseed oil damages engines

Diesel engines have problems with rapeseed fuel. Of the 110 experimental tractors put into circulation by the German Federal Environment Ministry since 2002, eight are no longer working due to severe engine failures. 71 tractors had to undergo small or large repairs, and only 31 worked without any problems.

The reasons for the damage are the poor preparation of the oil, which clogs the filter and damages the injection pumps. (therefore in no way of the principle of the use of this biofuel)

The experience with 110 tractors should last 3 years. It must show whether or not rapeseed oil is a good fuel, what kind of engines support it well, and possibly what modifications have to be made and what quality of oil should be chosen.

Edgar Remmele from the competence center for new fuels in Freising is supporting the project. The problems do not surprise him. Half of the fuel samples are not of sufficient quality. This fuel has nothing to do with Bio-Diesel which is commonly sold in gas stations. If Bio-Diesel is also a plant-based fuel, it is prepared, refined according to a particular process, which gives it the same quality as ordinary diesel. On the other hand, the fuel of the experimental tractors is simply “supermarket” rapeseed oil.

Rapeseed oil has two great advantages over Bio-Diesel: it is cheap and completely harmless (Which means that Bio Diesel or Diester is expensive and dangerous?). So why is it so defended and sponsored by the oil companies?

However, the massive use of automobiles running on rapeseed oil is, according to Edgar Remmele, still unrealistic. The transformation of equipment would be far too expensive. (This is not the opinion of the various associations and working groups defending crude vegetable oils ...view crude vegetable oil fuel)

Sources: Daily Handelsblatt, 5 / 07 / 2004
Editor: Jerome Rougnon-Glasson,

source: Said it BE Germany number 198 of 8/07/2004 - French Embassy