Anyone running biodiesel in their '07 5.9???

[EArp]

I was just wondering if my injectors would throw a fit if I were to run biodiesel??? I was just thinking it might be worth it if it's cheaper.

 

[KWilkinson]

I run a blend. B20 in the winter time and B50 in the summer. I would not recommend running it straight or blends higher than B50. Something in the bio causes incomplete atomization at the high pressures our trucks run, but when mildly blended it works fine. Some may not agree with me, but with 20k on my new truck, had 180k on my 04, and 220k on my 01 all running bio blends. The 01 I started blending at about 100k, the 04 at about 60k, and the new 07 right of the showroom floor. Have yet to have injector issues, even the 01 had the factory VP44. I would recommend a better fuel filter, such as the 2-micron setup from Glacier Diesel.



If your truck has some time and miles on it, start blending slowly and changing fuel filters often. #2 will leave bacteria, algae and other deposits in your tank and the bio will clean it all out.

 

[EArp]

KWilkinson, thanks for the response. My truck has 21k on it. Do you think there is enough of a savings to be made by the switch when you factor in more expensive filters which need to be changed more often and all the extra effort required? If there is, I might consider giving it a shot. My dad's got a '96 12v and he's probably gonna switch, but for him it's so much easier because those 12v's will burn almost anything!

 

[KWilkinson]

Do you plan on processing the fuel yourself, or buying from the pump? I make my own fuel, and with the money I have in my setup my truck and the next few will be long gone before it pays for itself with as little I make. If you are making it, do yourself a favor and spend alot of money on wash systems and dryers, filters and scrubbers. I have had my fuel ASTM tested a few times and passed with flying colors thanks to my new polisher system, but it cost me a few grand. Making fuel is just a hobby of mine. I dont intend to save money, I do it for fun with my father.



Being your truck has lower miles, I dont think you will have much buildup of deposits in your fuel system. I'd just fill her up and stay with 10k filter change intervals like normal. But for the 12v, I'd change filters about every 3-4k miles, if not sooner if the truck starts to lose a little power. And your right, those 12 valves will run on anything!



One other thing I would recommend is if you do the aftermarket lower micron fuel filter, I would switch all the rubber hose to Viton. It takes a while for biodiesel to degrade the factory rubber lines, but it will. It will eat it from the inside out, and will only swell the line when it is about to blow. Its pretty expensive hose, I believe $6-$7 a foot.

 

[MLimpert]

I've run almost exclusively B20 in my 5. 9 since it was new with no negatives that I've seen so far. Unfortunately you probably wont save much if you buy at the pump. It costs . 15-. 20 more than regular diesel here right now with the high price of soybeans, but I continue to do it anyway to help support the "locals" so to speak.

 

[KWilkinson]

I continue to do it anyway to help support the "locals" so to speak.

I have a bumper sticker that says...

"Biodiesel... Feed a farmer, Starve a terrorist!"

:-laf

 

[MLimpert]

Haha! I like that

 

[EArp]

Kwilkinson, if I considered it I would buy from the pump. However, based on ya'll's comments it might not be a cost effective option for me. I use my truck as a daily driver, so I figured with the price of fuel right now I wanted to investigate some other options. I think i'm just going to buy the Smarty Jr. and run it on the "fuel economy" setting. I figure if I can gain a couple extra mpg's it would pay for itself pretty easy over time.

 

[RodMorris]

I ran about 30% biodiesel in mine all winter. Got 18. 2-18. 6 mpg. I've been helping a buddy make it, but we've have the processor down for about 6 weeks. Running straight Diesel, I've been getting19. 2-19. 6 mpg. I don't know if that's because of the biodiesel or just the summer fuel coming back on line. I'm not sure I would BUY biodiesel, but it's nice when I can get it basically for free.



My truck now has 35,000 miles on it and has 5-30% biodiesel in it for most of those miles.

 

[JimB1]

About 12k miles on the '07, with B50 or better, bone stock.



20. x mpg, 60-65mph, 3000# gravel on board, average freeway driving.



Carried the gravel for nearly all 12k miles strictly for break-in.



Soon to unload and see what I get empty.