Equipment Mods for Running Biodiesel

[ElliottC]

Can one of you folks experienced with biodiesel in the 2004 trucks provide a detailed overview of the mods necessary to run safely without harming the truck? I'm looking for info such as fuel line materials, pumps, filters, injectors, or anything else that would need to be modified from stock.

 

[Jefff929]

Welcome to TDR



Technically you don't need to do anything to run BioDiesel. Although, with a HPCR ('04) it would be wise to add an extra fuel water separator, to ensure low or no water left in the BioDiesel. Any water left in will act like a water cutter on your injectors, that is bad juju.

 

[ZBrooks]

No mods are necessary. You can add biodiesel to your tank the way it came from the factory. You might want to keep an extra fuel filter and the tools to change it handy just in case your fuel system is dirty. Biodiesel is an excellent solvent. I didn't have any issues, but some have.

Are you brewing the biodiesel yourself or buying it?

 

[ElliottC]

Thanks for the responses. Extra fuel water separator and fuel filter are never a bad idea(provided they are monitored and maintained properly). If I go with biodiesel, I'll brew it myself. I've been looking at the Appleseed designs for making biodiesel, and would welcome any feedback on that system. My other vehicle is a 1984 M-B 300D which is also very biodiesel friendly. I may wait for the price of petrol to go up again to force my decision to go biodiesel.

 

[Dieselnut59]

I have been running a blend of about 30% in my '03 and Liberty with no problems. I have been blending up to 50-60% in my '96 and equipment with no problems. I filter twice with a 10 micron water block filter, after letting the oil settle for 2-3 months and draining the "sludge" off the bottom. I have had zero problems. Cuts my fuel use in nearly half in the Summer. I do no refining, just blend the double filtered oil in regular ULSD. I blend less in the Winter because of viscosity of the oil. I bought the stuff to "refine" but decided it would be a hassle for the amount of fuel I use, plus the methanol is highly explosive and expensive. Blending works great for me, smells good, cuts fuel use way down and adds lubricity, plus I get about 60-80 gallons of good clean waste cooking oil a month for free.