Bio Crap

[GCuzzy]

My 2003 2500 daily driver was idling rough, Hmmm. Off to the shop. A day later my mechanic calls me. You're running bio-diesel, correct? (Yes, my card lock must be pumping that) After some discussion he pumped out a quart of non-combustible crap. Also, after 5K my fuel filter was black with ebee geebees starting to grow on the filter. So, the question what cleaner you guys are running. 2nd Q, in northern California besides Chevron what do you guys recommend for non-bio diesel.

 

[Tuesdak]

I would recommend a Gasoline Engine to avoid Biodiesel. Sadly you get BioGasoline loaded with alcohol that has a short shelf life.

For your 2003.
1) Send the fuel out to test what is growing in it.
2) Use a biocide specific to the bug that works in the fuel to kill it. When in doubt a dose of gasoline may (most likely) will kill it, but, it may not.
3) GM makes a strong diesel engine fuel system cleaner you run from a 5 gal can of diesel fuel. Yes you idle the engine till it uses all 5 gal with the cleaner. Ask at a GM parts counter as the PN changes often.
4) Upgrade the fuel filter system specifically add a water separator on the 2003 to deal with the Biodiesel's love of water.

You are in California so there is NO getting away from biodiesel blends. In AZ it's 5% by law no matter what including off road red dye.

It's possible the fuel supplier can be on the hook for a bad load of fuel. "Um... a new bug we ain't seen before..."

Pumping it out Will Not Fix it! Your system is infected. You must Kill The Bugs or the problem will continue.

For further reading:
https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/ulsd-and-biodiesel-exposed.248698/

 

[Grumpy8811]

honestly Bio Diesel is OK, and if you just switched over to it it is a cleaner so nothing else is ncessary... generally up to 20% Bio can be used even on an older vehicle no matter the internet fear mongering on the subject
but if you have an older diesel powered vehicle that has never really ran on biodiesel
you may have instances of fuel filter plugging when you first start using Bio simply because BioD
has a cleansing abilities that regular old dinosaur diesel doesn't.

Buy an extra set of fuel filters if it acts up again and replace them.
The problem will eventually cure itself after the fuel system cleans itself

for what it is worth most diesel fuel in the USA has a Biodiesel component to it simply because the Feds encourage the use of agricultural derived fuels for clean air use blah blah blah
and by statute any amount of Biodiesel below 5% doesn't require the fuel to be labeled as Biodiesel.

QUOTE : ASTM International develops specifications for a wide variety of products, including conventional diesel fuel (ASTM D975). This specification allows for biodiesel concentrations of up to B5 to be called diesel fuel, with no separate labeling required at the pump.

more about Biodiesel can be found here. https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/biodiesel-blends#:~:text=Low-Level Blends,labeling required at the pump.

 

[sag2]

My 2003 2500 daily driver was idling rough, Hmmm. Off to the shop. A day later my mechanic calls me. You're running bio-diesel, correct? (Yes, my card lock must be pumping that) After some discussion he pumped out a quart of non-combustible crap. Also, after 5K my fuel filter was black with ebee geebees starting to grow on the filter. So, the question what cleaner you guys are running. 2nd Q, in northern California besides Chevron what do you guys recommend for non-bio diesel.

If you look, union 76 is currently supplying renewable diesel that is not bio fuel. I have also seen it at 7-11, and Propel if you have one near is also renewable.

 

[AH64ID]

My 2003 2500 daily driver was idling rough, Hmmm. Off to the shop. A day later my mechanic calls me. You're running bio-diesel, correct? (Yes, my card lock must be pumping that) After some discussion he pumped out a quart of non-combustible crap. Also, after 5K my fuel filter was black with ebee geebees starting to grow on the filter. So, the question what cleaner you guys are running. 2nd Q, in northern California besides Chevron what do you guys recommend for non-bio diesel.

Any pics of the filters? Were they Asphaltenes?

Where was the quart of stuff located? In the tank? If so it’s a 22 year old truck, that’s probably normal.

Bio-Diesel isn’t as scary as the Internet or your mechanic want you to think it is, it’s actually good for your fuel system at low levels.

 

[Motorhead]

The BLACK slime is an algae that grows in even non bio diesel. You need to use a fuel compatible herbicide such as Biobor. Biobor Fuel Additives

 

[SSage]

Many years ago I could tell the difference in power and economy when fueling in different states. GA and AL went Bio and NC was noticeably better straight #2 fuel. My 03 has run lots of Walmart Bio diesel now, never had an issue with algae growth though. Running Bio diesel makes anti-gel a must do for me, Hot Shot's has been wonderful. I haven't gelled up on since I started using it, I have gelled up with Power Service and switched to Howes which seemed less effective, but Hot Shots fires up much better.

 

[Ozymandias]

If you look, union 76 is currently supplying renewable diesel that is not bio fuel. I have also seen it at 7-11, and Propel if you have one near is also renewable.

Exactly this, Problem solved, after a treatment with a biozide of course.