2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission B20 now available in Oregon at gas stations and cheaper

[DAN V]

I pulled into a Shell gas station today and to my surprise the price was/is 3.59 per gallon. Everyone else is around 3.85/gal. I asked the "pumper" dude why so much cheaper. He said that since it is B20 blend there is not a road tax on it. The state of Oregon is going to do this state wide by the end of the year per our conversation. Long story short I went ahead and had him fill up the main tank. Ended up only costing me 90 bucks. Is running B20 safe for our trucks or should I be worried about problems in the near future?

 

[MLee]

B5 has been recommended as MAX up to the newer trucks13-14's Hate it when its schuved down our throats.
Just carry a few EXTRA FILTERS with you. The cleaning process is about to start.

 

[AEdelheit]

I know a number of people running commercially available, high quality B20 on 5.9's 12V - CR engines that havent had issues and swear by the stuff. Mom and pops home brew "B" anything I would run away very very fast. More bad news for Oregon though, you guys are getting 2 more Californians in 5 days, sorry!!!!

 

[Ram4Sam]

B5 has been recommended as MAX up to the newer trucks13-14's Hate it when its schuved down our throats.
Just carry a few EXTRA FILTERS with you. The cleaning process is about to start.

From the manual.......

"Biodiesel Fuel Requirements
A maximum blend of 5% biodiesel meeting ASTM specification
D975 is recommended for use with your diesel
engine. If frequent operation with Biodiesel blends are
greater than 5% but not greater than 20% (B6–B20) is
desired, the maintenance schedule is subject to shorter
intervals.
The oil and filter change along with fuel filter replacement
is subject to shorter intervals when operating your
engine on biodiesel greater than 5%. Do not use biodiesel
greater than 20%.
For regular use of biodiesel blends greater than 5% but
not greater than 20% (B6–B20) it is important that you
understand and comply with these requirements. Refer
to the “Maintenance Chart” in the “Maintenance Schedules”
section for further direction."

Sam

 

[Bob V]

If you Google b20 you can do a lot of reading.
Cummins posts that the ISB built after 2002 will accept B20. They also say the Dodge/Ram will is max of B5 unless fleet or government use.
Some reading
http://cumminsengines.com/biodiesel-faq
http://www.biodiesel.org/using-biodiesel/oem-information
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/biodiesel_specifications.html#b20

 

[crabman]

I have been running 100% biodiesel in my 06 for years now w/zero problems. I also run a 2 micron filter before the injection pump. The engine runs quieter and the bio lubs the injection pump better than the ULSD that we have now. IMHO
Started using 100% bio in my 'new' old 98 12V immediately without any problems.
These fuels are OK to run in a 12V per dodgeram.org #1 & #2 Diesel, 1K & 2K Kerosene, Jet-A, Jet A-1, JP-5, and JP-8.
The biggest problem with any fuel is WATER & Dirt.

 

[Bob4x4]

The gel point is lower the power and mileage is lower and the maint intevral should be shorter,,,,,,,,,,,why bother.The new 1500 with diesel has a max of 5% bio.

 

[DAN V]

Thanks

thanks for all the input guys. It looks like I will keep an eye on my FP gage and fuel filter on this one tank and go back to normal fuel at Pacific Pride.

 

[Mikey-KE7LBB]

Why switch back after this tank??

You should be able to clean out all of the gunk in the tank and fuel lines by the time you need to change the filter. IMHO, Once you get to that point, enjoy running cheaper fuel and stick a couple cents per mile in your pocket. Besides, Why worry about losing a couple MPG when you could have what crabman stated above?? Savings are increased drastically if you were using two stroke oil or other additives for lubricity since they are not needed with BIO.

I've used several hundred gallons of B-100 in the past and haven't had any ill effects when the temp was above -10. Anything colder without an anti-gel, you may as well be trying to run the truck on butter :-laf:-laf

 

[DAN V]

Why switch back after this tank??

You should be able to clean out all of the gunk in the tank and fuel lines by the time you need to change the filter. IMHO, Once you get to that point, enjoy running cheaper fuel and stick a couple cents per mile in your pocket. Besides, Why worry about losing a couple MPG when you could have what crabman stated above?? Savings are increased drastically if you were using two stroke oil or other additives for lubricity since they are not needed with BIO.

I've used several hundred gallons of B-100 in the past and haven't had any ill effects when the temp was above -10. Anything colder without an anti-gel, you may as well be trying to run the truck on butter :-laf:-laf

That makes sense to me. thanks for the info. I will change the fuel filter when it is time as I do not drive the truck that much anyway. Maybe a couple of days a month to keep the batteries charged.

 

[Jim W]

That makes sense to me. thanks for the info. I will change the fuel filter when it is time as I do not drive the truck that much anyway. Maybe a couple of days a month to keep the batteries charged.

I would then be real worried about algae build up in the tank from sitting. I would use a diesel fuel supplement that will combat algae build up. Add this to the tank at every fill-up; I would add something like BIO KLEEN DIESEL FUEL BIOCIDE.
See attached link.

http://www.powerservice.com/bk/

Jim W.

 

[Wayne M.]

My experience with B20, is there is a lot of filter plugging in cold weather and the first run is problematic with the "scrubbing" that happens through the system. I would definitely tighten up the final filtration. The fleet I work on has a 30 uM Davco water separator, which really takes the hit, and a fine spin on (not sure of rating, but Im sure it's a 5~uM). With the local mandate for my fleet to run B20 last fall, it was a tough winter for us. We wound up getting a biocide later on, and it did help some. I recall the real problems hit in single digit temps.

 

[DAN V]

Maybe I will drive the truck for a few weeks and run some of that B20 out of the system. Get some Powerservice from Wallyworld and help clean the system. Thanks for the info Jim W.

 

[Cosmo]

I'd run b20 all day long if I could get it that cheap.

The local casino that has the best prices around, had b5, b20, and I think b100 but it was all more expensive than the regular ULSD. They stopped selling it.

 

[BIGNASTY]

I have been running our Home Brew Bio 100%for the last couple of years, it works just fine in Our family Dodges my 04, BIL's 03, Nephews 02 Son fills his 04 when he comes for a visit. All have extra filters and do just fine. Been running the shop Gen set 4BT on it

Run it all the warmer months, like Bob 4x4 said gel point is lower, at $.90 per gal I dont care that the power is down a bit and the mileage is also, When the Dodge is needed to pull something heavy I put the Dino Diesel in and run it, then back to BIO 100

Also have an International DT466 that seems to be the least affected of all the mileage (maybe a mile per less) is down just a bit but other than that it likes the Home Brew.

A Pard that pulls various equipment around for the Cattle business fills his Cat 3406 B with it 50/50 and it runs just fine


All until the first start of the cold, then back to Dino with additive to keep it fluid at - temps

 

[georgej]

Hey Dan, Don't know where you're located in Oregon but my fuel station in Aurora has been using 20% biodiesel for a couple of fillups and I'm coming up on a fuel filter change soon and will check it for gunk and pressure before and after said maintenance. I typically park the beast during the winter and currently use power service to help with any gelling that may occur but at $3.59 a gallon I'm willing to see if this'll work !
George

 

[DAN V]

Hey Dan, Don't know where you're located in Oregon but my fuel station in Aurora has been using 20% biodiesel for a couple of fillups and I'm coming up on a fuel filter change soon and will check it for gunk and pressure before and after said maintenance. I typically park the beast during the winter and currently use power service to help with any gelling that may occur but at $3.59 a gallon I'm willing to see if this'll work !
George

Thanks for input George. I am waiting for my filters to come in from Geno's. Should be here later today (Monday). If they come in today I will run maybe one more tank and see how it goes from there.