Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) B20 enough lubricity?

[bbodammer]

Hey guys been filling up with b20 lately as its cheaper and better for the pumps and such. I was wondering if I still should add additive with it or is the bio enough lube on its own? Already lost a vp and want to protect this one the best I can. . thanks

 

[BILLVO]

From the research I have been doing it has a lot better lubricity factor than high quality #2. At the coal mine where I work we go through about 50k gallons of fuel a day and we recently did an experiment on running different blends of biodiesel and also had some 3516 cat engines rebuilt at B&G machine in washington and did different blends while engines were on the dyno and all results from dyno and in field testing showed that 10% blend works the best for power and fuel economy.

 

[SHobbs]

Bio has almost twice the lubrication of #2 and a higher cetane rating. I have also read that by adding just 1% bio increases lubricity by as much as 60%. The only time I can think of that you would need an additive would be in the winter. Bio will jell at around 27 degrees from what I have read although I have had B100 in the tank down to 18 degrees with no problems. There is not much difference in gel temps with B20 compared to #2 but an anti gel wouldn't hurt.



Your VP44 and L. P will love the bio. I have been running B100 for close to 2 years with zero problems. One thing you will need to do is to watch your fuel filters for a while. Bio is a natural solvent and will clean your fuel system of all the crud built up over time.

 

[lethal injection]

No need for extra additives when running bio

 

[bbodammer]

thanks. . I'll keep with the bio. . it even looks cleaner at the pump gotta love that. I have a fass(no filters) but wil keep my eye on the canister filter

 

[Crazygoat]

Talking about jelling, I live in Colorado and have jelled twice in winter using bio. I have to admit it was cold as heck. The mix I run varies as I would put in 10 gallons of 100 and 25 g of diesel or at times 50/50. I think this might have caused an early LP failure... A neighrbor of mine ran B20 all winter long with no problems.

 

[SHobbs]

Crazygoat,



I think it all goes back to the suppplier and how meticulous they are when they refine the bio. I may be wrong but if they don't get as much water out of it as they can ( washing it )it may gel at higher temps. I change my fuel filter every 6k, early I know and I have very little water if any at all in the canister housing.