Engine Effects of Biodiesel

Biodiesel runs cleaner than diesel such that it dramatically reduces black smoke from even older diesel engines that builds up on the outside of the vehicle. Biodiesel fuel causes engines to runs more quietly with less vibration than petroleum diesel and without the objectionable diesel odor. It produces fewer particulates and is better for children as they are the most affected i.e. asthma triggers.
Emission Reductions are as follows (compared to petroleum-refined diesel):
Total Unburned Hydrocarbons -67%
Carbon Monoxide -48%
Particulate Manner -47%
Sulfates -100%
Nitrous Oxide +10%
Ozone Potential -50%
Biodiesel is non-toxic and biodegrades easily 95% in 30 days in soil which means it is unable to contaminate soil, ground water supplies, rivers, lakes and marine areas if used in 100% pure form. It does not leave unsightly oil slicks. When burned it burns more cleanly, reducing particulate, though it increases nitrous oxides that cause ground level ozone after interactions with sunlight.

Biodiesel can increase engine life and reduce maintenance costs if its quality is up to standard. Mechanics like to work with Biodiesel as it is much less toxic.

I've only seen one mention of the problem of increase lubrocity being a problem: because it lubricates better it is more able to pass by the o-rings of the pistons and get into the engine oil. This means the engine oil is diluted. Some vehicle manufacturers are saying that a more frequent oil change schedule would be necessary. I've seen comments also saying that the engine oil stays much cleaner too. This is likely only a problem when using high % blends or 100% Biodiesel.

Biodiesel has detergent and solvent effects that clean the fuel system and may resolve some injector problems due to fouling. I've not seen this explicitly mentioned as a strategy but this may be worth a try as cleaning injectors is not cheap. However, I have seen researchers outline that to explain that despite lower energy density of Biodiesel, the engines converted to Biodiesel had better than expected power and therefore less than expected fuel consumption because the used older engines ran more efficiently after Biodiesel was used because of the cleaning effects. The effect lasted for a considerable period. However, this effect especially on older fuel systems means that initially when high percent blends are used, existing deposits are mobilized and can plug the filter. This can cause, only initially, more than one filter change or a plugged fuel system for the unawares. The advice is to have a spare filter at all times during a switch to Biodiesel and be ready to do it yourself on the side of the road.