Biodiesel and fuel filter

[SHobbs]

Well my 6k mile fuel filter change came due and in this time frame I used about 5 tanks of bio. Usually when I change it the fuel looks kinda like Gatorade, kinda yellow/ greenish. When I noticed the color of the fuel I could not believe it

The fuel was colored more like coffee and the filter was some kind of brown and very dirty, more than it usually is. Also there was some kind of crud at the bottom of the fuel filter canister. Not much at the bottom but you could see it and feel it, was no problem getting it out. Guess it's true about Bio it will clean your fuel system.

I have been pleased with the bio so far. Mileage is about the same, engines is a little quieter, smells different out the pipe and actually it seems that it is a little more responsive. Sounds crazy but it does, feels like it has some pep to it now. I will be stepping up to a B50 blend as soon as the pump is put in. I have read about bio holding water and it could get into the fuel system, that may be wrong with different types of oils that are used. I am using cottonseed oil and diesel. When I drained the fuel from the filter housing I saw no water or what looked like water. If there was some in there it was a small amount.

 

[CLeininger]

80/20 blends of bio fuel are safe. higher ratios wiil clean out your fuel system even more. Have extra fuel filters in the truck when you switch to 50/50. The higher cetane rating of the fuel will make the engine run quieter and it has more power. Also a workable solution to less petroleum dependency - trains, jets, boats, semis, and many more industrial and farm equipment could take immediate advantage of bio fuels - the only down side is that you get a hankering for fried food.

 

[JeffWhite]

Have I been mis-informed? I am anxious to use bio-diesel when it becomes

available, but thought I had heard that it actually made LESS power ( and

slightly less mileage ) if what you guys are saying is right, I may have to

look a little harder and find some.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

HMmmm - i've been told it provides typically reduced power as well... And I didn't think appreciable system scouring took place down at lower concentrations...

 

[SHobbs]

Don't take what I said as the normal on the filter, I have filled a clear plastic coke bottle with the fuel when I filled the tank after I changed the filter the first time and it was clean. I think there was just alot of crud in the tank, I took a trip to New Mexico in March and I think I got some dirty fuel being that I had to change the filter after I got there. That may have contributed to some of the crud.

Straight veggie or bio will make less power about 10% less from what I have read but a mixture won't make of a difference. As far as mileage I have not noticed any drop, at 62mph I have always gotten around 22mpg and that has not changed at all.

I am currently running B20 and as soon as the B50 pump is put in I will change to that.

Granted results will be different with each truck but mine is actually running better than it did on straight diesel. Best part about is that part of my fuel dollars are going to help the farmers and not the big oil companies. Check out DFWbiodiesel.com they have some great info on bio and the owner has a Dodge Cummins, big rig and a TDI running on B100. Hopefully he will join the ranks, I told him about the TDR said he would check it out.

 

[PKleine]

I've been using biodiesel B20 for quite awhile now. It is commercially available along my commute at a Pacific Pride truck stop. It is soy based (best use for soy beans as far as I'm concerned :-laf ). They also add a NOx inhibitor. From what I have learned from reading and talking to the *experts*, don't expect to see much impact on performance or fuel economy in blends up to 20 percent bio (B20). In higher concentrations of biodiesel expect to see a slight loss in power and economy. This is because while the cetane is usually higher in biodiesel, the BTU's per gallon is lower than in dinodiesel. My experience backs this up, not much change in mpg, but slightly quieter and better smelling...



I can't say no problems using biodiesel because one tank full was contaminated. Cost me about day and a half plus about 5 hours labor at a service station removing fuel tank, dumping it, cleaning the tank & pickup strainer and reinstallation. PIA, but could just as easily have happened using dino.



I still seek out and use biodiesel.



PK

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I've been using biodiesel B20 for quite awhile now. It is commercially available along my commute at a Pacific Pride truck stop. It is soy based (best use for soy beans as far as I'm concerned :-laf ). They also add a NOx inhibitor. From what I have learned from reading and talking to the *experts*, don't expect to see much impact on performance or fuel economy in blends up to 20 percent bio (B20). In higher concentrations of biodiesel expect to see a slight loss in power and economy. This is because while the cetane is usually higher in biodiesel, the BTU's per gallon is lower than in dinodiesel. My experience backs this up, not much change in mpg, but slightly quieter and better smelling...



I can't say no problems using biodiesel because one tank full was contaminated. Cost me about day and a half plus about 5 hours labor at a service station removing fuel tank, dumping it, cleaning the tank & pickup strainer and reinstallation. PIA, but could just as easily have happened using dino.



I still seek out and use biodiesel.



PK

Wonder whih Pacific Pride you get the bio from?

 

[PKleine]

Wonder whih Pacific Pride you get the bio from?

Mt. Shasta, CA