Bio-diesel

[jkoopmann]

A neighbor of mine is making Bio-diesel from canola oil. The final product runs through a 5 micron filter. In fact he has started a company that also sells the processing machine. I understand Bio-diesel has much more lubricity than ULSD. Has anybody tried using it as an additive(say 1-5%) and if so, what experience have you had with it. What does Cummings say about it? Would it damage injectors, etc? He uses about 50% in his FORD with no problems. I heard of guys using 100% with no problems.

 

[barbwire]

I see by your post count that you are a newby. But I am assuming that you know of the alternate fuels forum here on the TDR. If not, check it out, as your question may be answered there. BTW, welcome to the TDR.

 

[JFaughn]

Do you know what process your neighbor is using ?
You also just opened a big can of worms , lot of them eaten around hear .
You should do a little reading under the heading that you posted , a lot of info here and links to all kinds , there is basicly 2 ways to go , 1st [ the only one I recomend ] is called transesterfication , removes the gliserin [ soap/wax ] ,
The 2nd is several ways of trying to get gliserin to burn through heating , mixing with a compination of other fuels or chem.
Yes it is got lots of lubricity , but it will clean out the entire fuel system , tank to exhaust , when I 1st used , I started with 10 % of a comecailly processed bio , after 1 wk [ maybe 250-300 miles ] the fuel filter [ that was about due ] pluged up from the cleaning effect .
Then I switched to 1/3 bio 2/3 dyno , this is becouse of looking into to this a lot and found the best power/millage for my truck , a little more of both , and the smell was a lot better on my eyes & nose .
Your use may vary , this is why you should go back to the user control pannel and fill in the info on your truck , to get specific answers for it .
Welcome to the site .

 

[bighornram]

One thing you need to know is that DC has only approved B20 which is 20% biodiesel. DC's diesel vehicles leave the factory burning B5. The reason they don't approve a higher percentage is because there isn't a regulatory plan in effect in the US. There may be low quality biodiesel coming from "garage" processors. If your source is making high quality fuel your truck will "love" it. Even 2% of biodiesel improves the lubrication alot! Point to consider in your decision whether or not to use biodiesel is that DC can claim "bad fuel" (biodiesel, petrodiesel or "water") is the cause of a problem and not cover it. Yes they can say the fuel you bought at your local service station is the cause of a problem and they won't cover it under warranty!!!

 

[Schlickenmeyer]

Yes, but Cummins has only approved 5%.



So, I would look for someone in the biodiesel forum with your year truck who

has been running 100% bio for a period of years, that will tell you if it's the

lawyers talking.

 

[bighornram]

Yes, but Cummins has only approved 5%.

After re-reading Cummins approved 2007 Rams for B20 in gov't, military and fleet vehicles.



Government, military and fleet has B20 approval

New Guidelines For Biodiesel Fuel For 2007 Dodge Ram

 

[TAbbott]

A neighbor of mine is making Bio-diesel from canola oil. The final product runs through a 5 micron filter. In fact he has started a company that also sells the processing machine. I understand Bio-diesel has much more lubricity than ULSD. Has anybody tried using it as an additive(say 1-5%) and if so, what experience have you had with it. What does Cummings say about it? Would it damage injectors, etc? He uses about 50% in his FORD with no problems. I heard of guys using 100% with no problems.

There is a product available at most truck stops called Liquid Muscle. If I'm not mistaken, it's primarily biodiesel.

 

[Arkapigdiesel]

What does Cummings say about it?

Cummins.



Anyway, Cummins recommends not to exceed 5%. Reason being is to cover their arses. If farmer Joe is brewing biodiesel there is no guarantee that he is doing it right and if he fries his injectors/engine because of a bad brew then Cummins can't be held liable for recommending anything over 5%.

 

[JHardwick]

I have B-20 soy-diesel about 2 miles from here and love it.



I travel the country (100,000 miles or so a year), and I always get more mileage out of my local B-20 ... ... ..... plus a smoother idle.

 

[jkoopmann]

JFaughn, I really appreciate all the responses out there guys. I don't know much about the process but he did say he removes the gliserin. Thanks bighornram for the links. I can see I need to do a lot more research before I use the neighbors "brew"!

'03,3500,DRW,Limited-slip,Laramie,4x4,quad-cab,HO,NV5600,OEM Jake-brake,3. 73,30,116miles.

 

[ddutil]

Cummins Announces Approval of B20 Biodiesel Blends



For Immediate Release

March 21, 2007



LOUISVILLE, Ky. (March 20, 2007) - Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) today announced the approval of biodiesel B20 blends for use in its 2002 and later emissions-compliant ISX, ISM, ISL, ISC and ISB engines. This includes the recently released 2007 products.



Cummins is able to upgrade its previous position on the use of biodiesel fuel, which limited the use to B5 blends only, up to B20 for three key reasons. First, the American Society of Testing Materials specification ASTM D6751 now includes an important stability specification for B100 biodiesel. Second, the availability of quality fuels from BQ-9000 Certified Marketers and Accredited Producers is growing rapidly; and third, Cummins has completed the necessary testing and evaluations to ensure that customers can reliably operate their equipment with confidence using B20 fuel.



'We have completed exhaustive analysis and test evaluations which enable Cummins to provide the necessary guidance and information to our customers for the proper and successful use of this fuel in our engine,' said Edward Lyford-Pike, Chief Engineer - Advanced Alternative Fuel Programs. 'This will enable our customers to have a choice that includes renewable fuel. '



...



Dan



too bad we don't get retail bio up here grrrrr

 

[bighornram]

Yes, but Cummins has only approved 5%.



So, I would look for someone in the biodiesel forum with your year truck who

has been running 100% bio for a period of years, that will tell you if it's the

lawyers talking.

Cummins has now approved B20 in for our trucks.



Read More Here ... .

 

[CarlsonR]

Been running B100 in summer and B50 in winter for two years now in an '05' no problems at all, no noticable difference in power or milage just a quieter idle.

 

[barbwire]

curious

Been running B100 in summer and B50 in winter for two years now in an '05' no problems at all, no noticable difference in power or milage just a quieter idle.

I was wondering if you would tell us how many miles you have on the 05 now. Thanks

 

[Buffalo]

I have been adding B-100 to my fuel so that the fuel is diluted to about the B-2 to B-4 range. I do it for the added lubricity.



The bio I'm running is a soy-based product that is commercially available, here in Phoenix. It costs $2. 84/gal.



The nice thing about it is that a gallon of bio is considered a 'gallon of fuel', also. Diesel at the Flying J has been at the $2. 60 range, lately. So, for about 24 cents, you can additize 25 or more gallons of diesel with added lubricity. Can't do that with 'over the counter' additives.



Personally, I haven't noticed any changes in performance or sound of the engine. But, I don't believe the bio can hurt anything.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[CarlsonR]

that would be 21000 miles now. The bio is soy based from a large processor in denver that distributes to tucson and sw usa