Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 100% biodiesel- good or bad?

[paulsmith]

I have a company that has contacted me that produces biodiesel. Said it will "clean out" my system, breaking loose trash. So, to prevent injector problems, he recommended starting off with 10% then going to 50%, then to 100% biodiesel, over a period of a few weeks.



Also mentioned it could soften older rubber hose, over a long period of time. But any of the newer trucks would have used synthetic rubber on all hoses... .



Comments?

 

[keimmmo]

I have run as high as B-20 in the 01. 5 and liked it. At that level I didn't see any problems with it dislodging crud and plugging fuel filters... even though I have run used oil in my fuel since the truck was new.



The only down side I saw for me is that I can't run much used oil in my fuel with the Bio or it will smoke badly! While I want to support the U. S. farmers, I save far more money by adding used oil to my fuel than by adding Bio. But, I recognize that is a PERSONAL situation. Also, Bio is not available in Mexico where I spend the majority of my time.



I understand even B-2 (Only 2% Bio and 98% #2) will improve lubrication by 60% over straight #2. I think a little Bio is a good thing! I am not yet convinced about running it 100%... especially on an older truck.



Steve Keim

 

[nps]

Running bio in stages will only prolong the time it takes for you to plug the filter (assuming you have junk in the tank to knock loose). If you are going to go for it - go all at once.



IIRC, 100% bio in Chicago would be difficult to run during the winter due to gelling issues.

 

[paulsmith]

This company that is producing the Biodiesel is supplying 100% of all CTA busses with 100% biodiesel. (Chicago Transit Auth. ) All buses in Chicago are now running on b100 according to him. For me it is a 100% financial decision. I burn about 300 gallons a week, and have gotten a promise from this supplier that I he will provide my own bulk tank/pump and it will be 40 cents per gallon cheaper than the pump price for petro.



Sounds like B100 is going big time.



Also, as a side note, I have had 500 gallon on site diesel storage tanks. These had to be placed inside contaiment structures to prevent any spills from getting out. I had large concrete "boxes" that the tank had to sit inside. EPA and OSHA always on the lookout...



With Biodiesel, spills are not a problem... . The tank just sits outside.

 

[paulsmith]

About the gelling. He told me they do treat the fuel with anti gelling agents in the winter, just like diesel fuels. The winter b100 is treated. Of course, he is selling me the fuel, and had a answer for everything...

 

[nps]

Go talk to the shop mgr at the bus authority and get his take on maint, morning starts, gelling, storage, etc.



My neighbor runs the maint shop for the county school bus system in Vegas. They went to 100% bio that is brewed from recycled fryer oil collected from the local restaurants. No one else sells bio in Vegas, and the county has a lock on the WVO collection.



When they switched over he said they had alot of filter problems, but they worked themselves out. No other problems. If you anticipate the problems and keep the filters changed you should be OK. They are running a mix of ISB and Cat C7 motors.

 

[Walt-L]

A Cummins tech once stated here that Cummins approves of only B20 in their engines and the main reason for this is water contamination. Apparently the Bio oil absorbs water rather than letting it ball up in the bottom of your filter like Dino oil. Once you go over B20, it is imperative you KNOW you are getting it fresh from a "dry" tank.

 

[fox]

I have experimented with Bio up to 50%.

I see , with 15% to 50% about 1-2 mpg increase.

It runs quieter, smoother and less smoke.

My intentions are to reduce my fuel costs and to increase the life of my delicate injection pump.

On a recent trip of 2500 miles, after a refill, I noticed a drop in fuel pressure. It was mostly- in my opinion- the cold, higher viscosity fuel. After about 30 miles the fuel pressure was near normal. Later I changed the filter and the last 2 psi returned.

This is cooking oil converted by transesterfication.

 

[DFerverda]

Paul

Try to pin the guy down on what kind of anti jell he is using, bd and some of the other aj dont work on bio. Make sure you are running a fp gauge, Here in northern indiana we share the weather and if i run more than b50, and the temp drops to the mid teens,it will jell. Get a small sample in a jelly jar,seal it up and put it in your cup holder, It will show you what is in your tank in the morning when you start your truck,and the fp gauge will let you know before you have trouble.

I am real interested in what he has to say about the kind of anti jell he is using.

Dirk

 

[Ereynolds72]

I ran B100 for 4 consecutive tanks. Didn't run any different for me except my mileage dropped about 2mpg. It was way out of my way to continue using the bio so I can't speak to the long term affects.



I wouldn't hesitate to continue running it if it was more available.

 

[fox]

Bio diesel has less energy than #2 fuel. I doubt anything over 50% will be good for mileage.

Bio also has a higher cetane which is good, and may be the reason for better mileage at the levels I use.

Different trucks will perform differently too.

 

[SKargo]

Bio diesel has less energy than #2 fuel. I doubt anything over 50% will be good for mileage.

Bio also has a higher cetane which is good, and may be the reason for better mileage at the levels I use.

Different trucks will perform differently too.

It has LESS energy?????



I run 100 occasionally. I get better mileage, and there is no power difference. As far as it cleaning your fuel system out, my filter lookedlike new after a few tanks, so maybe my fuel system was clean to begin with.

 

[fox]

All the info I've read on it says it has less energy.

The Specific gravity is higher on ours, so maybe this is incorrect reading.

The cetane is higher, so maybe this is where the better mileage comes from. Higher cetane= more complete burn.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

fox is right. B100 has 10% less energy (BTU's)

 

[SKargo]

fox is right. B100 has 10% less energy (BTU's)

Not sure where your graph is from, but I had read it was around 5%, BUT the better lubricity and more complete burn offset that.



I have run it and can tell no difference, so that's what I am basing my statements on.

 

[Joe Mc]

On "Trucks" today, 1/29, Stacy drained all fuel out of an 2nd gen Dodge and ran 100% Bio. Not saying this is right or anything, and I realize it is "TV" so just mentioning what I saw. The truck he was running had an Edge Comp but didn't mention any other mods. Stacy mentioned there were no mods other than the Edge, which the camera showed mounted on the knee bolster. My $. 02

 

[DFerverda]

Hey paul just wondered if you ever found any thing out about what kind of antijell they were using?

Thanks Dirk

 

[EdK]

Biodiesel Facts

As with any new idea, there will be good and bad things happening... remember ethenol blended gasoline eating o-rings and plastic gas tanks???



Your supplier of biodiesel sould be able to supply you with factual information on the product being supplied. The production of biodiesel (properly done) is an exact process.



Before deciding to use this product, I'd suggest looking at the following site which is responsible for setting the standards for the production of biodiesel.



www.biodiesel.org



EdK

 

[DBrickel]

Unless your trucks are older than 94 you shouldn't have to worry about seals breaking down. You should change filters after a couple of tanks of Bio fuel.

I was advised to run b-50 through the winter so decided after running a few tanks through the truck to wait for warmer weather. However I haven't had any problems running it when the temps dropped into the ower 30s.

 

[SHobbs]

Been running B100 (soybean oil) here for a year with no problems. It did clean out the system though. I changed the filter after the first 3k then again at another 3k then back to my regular 6k interval. First filter was dirty with sludge in the canister after that change the rest were better. I did run B20 for the first 6k miles before going to B100. Thought I would go light till it was clean out.



Truck seems to run better on this stuff. Smoother idle, less pinging and feels like more pep which is probably due to the higher cetane. There is less smoke, almost none at all during heavy acceleration. So far no problems with any seals or fuel lines.



I have had B100 in the tank with temps as low as 15* without issues. Truck was plugged in during the night and started right up the next day. My last two tanks have been B20 due to my supplier having trouble getting a fresh supply of B100. Keep thinking I will run into Navydood when I go to to fill up one of these days, lol.



If you can get B100 get it your Cummins will love ya for it.