Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) bio diesel

[Tractorat]

Ive been thinking for a couple of years that I wanted to try some biodiesel, but there wasnt anything close by.

The Shell station just a few blocks away now has biodiesel (B99). Especially with the weather starting to get colder here in Seattle now, I know not to run the straight B99. But I think Im OK with 5 or 6 gallons in a full tank (?).



Just had a new fuel filter put in about 500 miles ago. Do I need to replace that soon after my first 5 gallons of bio ? Or do I need to run a stronger blend to really worry about cleaning everything out, and needing to replace the fuel filter.



Do I need still need to add stanodyne (or some other additive) if I am using the biodiesel ?



The biodiesel is the same price as diesel ($3. 70). Can someone tell me again what the advantage of the biodiesel is ? Shell is still getting the money, and the oil here in the PNW comes from Alaska, not the arabs.



Thanks

TRat

 

[KevinSmith]

Not to sound like a jerk but what are you gaining for all this pain in the kiester? I wouldn't think 5-6 gal would make a difference in performance or your pocketbook. I know in central Ore they sell only seasonnally due to a high gel temp. I think if I read the liturature correctly I would use it in spring-fall and I would use it by the tankful.





B99 Basics - Northwest Biofuels Association

 

[JFaughn]

Bio will clean fuel system , the higher the % the faster , I did 10% , it plugged the filter in about 1 wk , but older truck , more to clean , so thats one advantage ,cleaning .
From what I seen , bio is the best for lubing pump , 2nd advantage .
Being that I'm in MN , it can get -20 -30 * F , so not more that about 20% bio , & many additives work with bio , I use Amsoil cold flow .
With you truck I would be a little more conservative [ not sure what yrs but the common rail system have issues with lots of bio ] so that being said , I would [ in your truck ] use a min of 5% for lube , 10% winter & not more than 20 % warm weather .

 

[JCostello]

I think issue 58 has an article on this issue, I would refer to it first. Some good thoughts in that article to think about.

 

[Tractorat]

Thanks for the feedback. It doesnt get real cold here in Seattle, but it can. It definitely does in the mountains. But it sounds like 5 or 10% might be fine for the weather here.



I think the main reason Im considering right now is that I expect this very liberal and PC state of Washington to mandate bio down the road. And if if is bad for older trucks (mine is an '02), their answer will be "just buy a new one". Which is something I just cant afford. (Besides I like my truck)



My biggest concern was what will it do to my vp44 and lift pumps. Had to replace both last summer, and Im not looking forward to that again. The other concern is, of course, how cold does it have to get before I shouldnt use the bio at all. It sounds like I should be OK with the 5 or 10% mix though (As long as I remember how much of each I put in each time.



Thanks,

TRat

 

[SHobbs]

Have had B20 down to the low 20's with no problems here. I started with B20 and changed the filter twice within 6k miles. After that I went to B100 and back to my usual 6k mile interval on the fuel filter. From April to November I run B100 then B20 in the colder months. Been doing this for about 5 years and over 100k miles with no ill effects. If I see the temps start to dip below 50* I get away from B100, I have had it gell at 42* once before. I never use any other additives when running bio, don't see the need to. In your part of the country an anti gel might be a good idea though. You have the right idea on keeping the percentage down through the winter, go for it. Your VP44 will enjoy the added lubrication that bio offers.



Bio gives you almost twice the lubrication and a higher cetane ( octane to diesels ) than diesel fuel. Also every thing I have read on bio is that up to B20 the gel point of diesel does not change very much.

 

[LSchulz]

My biggest concern was what will it do to my vp44 and lift pumps. Had to replace both last summer, and Im not looking forward to that again.

Only good things for the VP44. As mentioned before, bio of any blend has a higher lubricity than ULSD, so your fuel lubricated IP will be much happier. In addition to WVO, I've run B100 through mine, and it ran great.

 

[analog]

I took my truck thru Yellowstone earlier this month on B20 with no problems at all. Temps got into the low teens. I did some research before the trip, and found that the Power Service in the white bottle is compatible with B20 and lowers gelling to -40*F. If all you can pump is B99, just do the math to lower it to 20% of your tank. 2 gallons for every 10 gallons of dino diesel. I've been running B20 in my truck for several months now. I love how much quieter it runs, and I don't have to use any additives for lubrication of the VP44. Nothing but good things to say about bio in our trucks. Just keep an eye on your fuel pressure to start. If you don't have a guage, just change your filter every couple weeks. After 2-3 changes, you can go back to normal maintenance intervals.

 

[Tractorat]

Thanks again for all the feedback. Im going to put some in this weekend and see how it runs. Its been getting down below freezing at night, so I think I might keep it at about 10% for now.

 

[bnbrown]

I run B20 here in CO, temps have been down to around 0 at night... havent had any problems yet, for some reason I did have a couple problems with the fuel filters from autozone on Bio, they would plug almost immediately and drop FP to 3 or 0 psi... Napa fuel filter under same conditions shows 15psi. Truck runs great on the blend, get about the same MPG.

 

[sshelly]

Bio

I have been using b100 year round for 2 years now. You shouldn't have any problems. There is a misconception out there about clogging fuel filters. So much has to due with the history and quality of the fuel used in the truck. In the two years I have run biodiesel, I have only clogged one filter. When I switched from petro diesel to biodiesel I didn't stage it or anything. I just went to b100. I manufacture all my own fuel and love not stopping at the pump. I usually put some bio in a mason jar and leave it out where I can see it. Then I just check on it as the temps start to drop. We actually had freezing weather last year in AZ and I didn't have a problem. Alot of the gel point for bio depends on the feedstock. You can add antigellers off the interenet if your concerned about it. You can even run b50 or b80 and you should still be fine in Seattle.



Regarding the benefits: I read a study recently that compared a b2% with most of the major diesel fuel additives on the market. The results were staggering. B2% had so much hight lubricity than the others that is was almost embarrassing. My vehicles run so much smoother, queiter, and I know I'm doing a little bit of good for the old environment too. I'll never purchase petro again!



The processor I use is bit spendy, but well worth the money. I bought mine through www.fusionbiodiesel.com I used to make it in a cone bottom processor and boy is the BioPro easier. As I mentioned, spendy, but worth it BIG TIME. Stuart