Boidiesel and additives...

[MoparBob]

I wanted to start this thread to discuss additives just for bio. I would like info on when or if it's even needed and in what concentrations. I understand that there is some new additives being made strictly for bio and I am curious if that's just for the higher concentrations such as 80% and 100%. I imagine that blends like B5 thru B20 wouldn't need a bio specific additive, but could the motor benefit from a diesel additive? Any and all comments on additives would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Jefff929]

so brainstorming along this line. Bio doesn't meet the Cummins spec for Cetane. Stands to reason that if you want to follow the "rules" you need to add Cetane. I'm not sure how much or what additive would do that. I like Bio

 

[SHobbs]

IMHO the only time you would need an addidtive is in the colder months, bio will gel at lower temps than #2. I have been doing some reading on Viscon which is supposed to lower the extra NOx that B100 puts out not sure if it really works or not. As far as cetane goes bio has a higher rating than #2 and provides almost twice the lubrication of #2. From the get go bio is much better for the engine and the environment. I have been running B100 for almost 2 years with no additive without a single problem. I have even had B100 in the tank with temps as low as 18* with no problems

 

[Jefff929]

"Biodiesel has a higher gel point. 100% Biodiesel, referred to as B100, gets slushy at 32°F. A blend of 20% Biodiesel, 80% regular diesel, B20, has a gel point of 7°F. Like regular diesel, the gel point can be lowered further with additives such as kerosene, which are blended into winter diesel in cold-weather areas" quote from http://www.wnbiodiesel.com/products.html

 

[TAbbott]

I wanted to start this thread to discuss additives just for bio. I would like info on when or if it's even needed and in what concentrations. I understand that there is some new additives being made strictly for bio and I am curious if that's just for the higher concentrations such as 80% and 100%. I imagine that blends like B5 thru B20 wouldn't need a bio specific additive, but could the motor benefit from a diesel additive? Any and all comments on additives would be greatly appreciated.

The only additive I know of that's specifically recommended for bio-diesel, along with regular diesel and even gasoline for that matter, is Lucas Fuel Treatment. It even has stickers on the bottles saying it meets the low sulphur requirements for '07 diesels. I run it and like it my big truck and use it just for safety's sake in my new '06 Ram. A bit of extra lubrication for the fuel pump and injectors can't hurt with the new, dryer diesel they're supplying these days. What exactly it might do for the bio-diesel I don't know, but I think it acts as a de-aerating agent and helps to remove entrained air that exists in almost all untreated diesel fuels at ratio's up to 2 or 3% by volume. One big proponent of it for all fuels is Bruce Mallinson of Pittsbugh Power and Diesel Injection of Pittsburgh who is recognized as a Cummins guru.

 

[MoparBob]

I've never had any issue with Lucas products of any kind. I've used them both in my pickup and my big trucks. I'll have to pay closer attention to the bottle next time I have one in my hand because I don't remember it ever saying anything about bio... also, being here in Iraq, I haven't picked up a bottle of Lucas in a while :-laf . The label has probably changed since I last payed any attention to it...

 

[PeteFleming]

bio diesel additive

They were bragging about power service arctic express biodiesel antigel on some bio websites. Their web site says that it treats 2500 gal of 20percent bio with 5 gals. down to -40f. I am running 100% in both of mine and the temps are getting low. I am going to run coolant heaters in a second tank, a temp gauge and a 3 way valve to start on diesel and switch after warmup and then back to diesel about 5 minutes prior to shutdown and still run 100percent. My chemistry isn't the best and I didn't process the last batch correctly. It still runs great and eliminates some of the rattle. They say that bio makes up lack of cetane in its increased lubricity. I have Been running both 100percent for three weeks now. So far so good.