SOYOIL Methyl Ester, a fuel produced from soybean oil and methanol, was evaluated as a fuel for a diesel agricultural tractor during a 578-h engine durability test. The engine produced the same brake power as with diesel fuel but had a greater specific fuel consumption. Crankcase oil dilution caused decreases in the oil viscosity to unsafe levels for light engine loading only. Carbon accumulation inside the engine was normal, except heavy accumulations were observed on the intake valves. Engine wear as measured by bearing metal loss was very low.
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Einfalt et al. (1985) studied this question.