B20 Diesel

[Txredneck]

Ok were on our good ole family vacation cruising the hawaiian islands (Maui) and we come in to this town and at this convience store they advertise "B20" diesel the only one in that town that advertises it. . So can anyone tell me what they mean by "B20" diesel???

 

[John - K5AWO]

It is a Bio-Diesel mixture. I believe the 20 stands for 20% renewable resource with 80% petroleum oil base.



What was the price they were asking? Here in Phoenix, they want $3. 27/gallon. I'm all for renewable resources, but not at that outlandish price.

 

[Headshot zod]

cool... . at least you found some, expensive though.



I found a place about 1/2 hour south of me that has "neat" biodiesel--> B100. I shall assume only in the summer.

 

[banzaitoyota]

just top your tank off with B100 to create whatever blend ratio you want

 

[sbentz]

In Denver, here, we are only $1. 91 for B20. Good stuff.



B100 is about $3. 00...

 

[banzaitoyota]

I'm paying 1. 46/gal for B5 bio and 2. 53/gal for B100

 

[David Wheeler]

Txredneck:



B20 is simply 80% fossil fuel diesel and 20% "oil. " That is corn, soy bean oil, etc. B10 is as much as Cummins is willing to "go along with" for now. They simply don't know the long term effects on engine/parts so they stop their approval (my word, not Cummins) right there. Try this link..... it helped me understand what B100 is comprised of.



http://www.upressplay.com/login/index.php?page=umedia_showsub&uSubmit_id=191&mode=2&show_media=mov

 

[kentdiesel]

I paid $1. 72 a gallon for B20 close to Raleigh, NC a few weeks ago. Straight Diesel fuel is about $1. 69. I can not tell the difference in power or mileage between B20 and straight diesel but the B20 seems to smoke alittle less.



First time I ever ran BioDiesel the fuel filter was dirtier than usual when I changed it, which I wasn't surprised, I had read BioDiesel has a cleansing effect on the fuel system. Since then the fuel filters haven't been any dirtier when I run BioDiesel. I like the yellow color of B20 also.



Kent

 

[Headshot zod]

Kent, how many filter changes did you go through before the system was cleaned out??

 

[kentdiesel]

Headshot Zod,



I didn't have to do any extra filter changes, I just noticed the filter looked alittle dirtier than in the past and there was more debris in the bottom of the fuel filter canister when I done my routine fuel filter change. Since then I have ran BioDiesel and the fuel filter and canister were not any dirtier than with straight diesel.



My conclusion was that the BioDiesel cleaned the film out of my fuel system that years of straight diesel leaves.



Kent

 

[mhenon]

B20

I found a place in Boise (Idaho) to get B20 and have been using it for a few months now. Although I was prepared for possible fuel filter problems nothing has happened... so I guess my tank was clean.

Bio-diesel has a cleansing effect on the fuel system innards so it's possible to plug up a fuel filter when first using it. Neither the Dodge or my wifes Jetta had any showed any effect however.

As far as performance... . I didn't see much change. Maybe a tad less zip when passing. . but not much. Mileage too is about the same.

I just like having the B20 in there. . especially with a 2nd Gen 24V and the lift pump/VP44 troubles. This stuff is very slippery and provides that extra lubrication needed.

The only precautions, though, are to keep a spare fuel filter handy. If your tank has any crud built up the bio-diesel might send it all to the filter.

Mike

 

[Headshot zod]

Originally posted by kentdiesel





My conclusion was that the BioDiesel cleaned the film out of my fuel system that years of straight diesel leaves.



Kent

Thanks, I've read that it absolutely cleans it out. Comparable to eating lots of fiber . Its something users need to know. Somewhere I read it will clog your filter w/in the first 100 miles. So I guess you keep a clean tank.



here is an example of bad biodiesel gone awry... . photo 3->nasty

 

[Cooker]

I did not take the time to read the entire article but I just wanted to clarify that WVO (waste vegetable oil) or even new vegetable oil for that matter and Biodiesel are two different substances.



Also that article is a bit incomplete IMHO. They are talking about running a car/truck in their experiments for 188 hours and 725 miles. This is not nearly long enough to determine the detrimental side effects of running WVO.



If anyone is intersted, the University of Idaho has written some great research on running WVO.



Sorry to get off track of the original topic.

 

[kentdiesel]

Headshot zod,

Big difference between BioDiesel and unrefined vegetable oil.

Click on the link below and you will find alot of info on the subject.



http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/faqs/





Is Biodiesel the same thing as raw vegetable oil?



No! Biodiesel is produced from any fat or oil such as soybean oil, through a refinery process called transesterification. This process is a reaction of the oil with an alcohol to remove the glycerin, which is a by-product of biodiesel production. Fuel-grade biodiesel must be produced to strict industry specifications (ASTM D6751) in order to insure proper performance.

 

[Headshot zod]

I personally should have remembered that as I am going the svo/wvo route. Word faux pas on my part... Bio-diesel is also taxable because it meets those specs.