Mixing biodiesel and petro diesel

[Lube Man]

This may sound like a dumb question but here goes:



Can you mix biodiesel and petro diesel in your truck tank and duplicate the B5, B20, or whatever fuel being sold at a station? Or do they have to be specially blended at a production plant.



I can only buy B99 but want to run something around a B20 so plan on throwing some B99 in every time I buy petro diesel.

 

[Mr. C]

Mix away, no special equipment required. You can do it right in your fuel tank if you know how much is in it you can get the ratio you want. One thing to consider is in the winter cold bio may not blend as as well if it's close to its jel point so in the winter you may want to blend in the garage in a barrel where it is warmer, once blended it will stay blended.

Regards, Mike

 

[Lube Man]

Thanks for quick response. Are you using B100 or a blend? At this point my only concern is the VP44 injection pump. I am worried if it has any O rings, gaskets, or whatever that the biodiesel could work on. Neither Dodge nor Cummins will tell me anything other than B5 is ok. Do you have any info on the pump?

 

[Mr. C]

I blend in the winter so I won't gel and run neet(100%) bio when temps are warm enough.

As for the pump you could contact a rebuilder like IIS and they may be able to find out exactly what the seals are made of.

Regards, Mike

 

[Lube Man]

I am not so worried about the injection pump. Apparently many people have been using B100 for a year or more in the Dodge with no pump leaks. I also have reports that the Bosch pumps used in early 1980 Mercedes diesels have shown no signs of leaking. At the same time, rubber hoses in the Mercedes only last a few months with B100. If there was going to be a pump pboblem there should be earlier failures.



My first blend in the truck is about 60% biodiesel. Engine is definitely running quieter and purrs down the highway. No noticeable power difference.



My first blend in my 1980 240D is about a B20. Also quieter and seems to have more umph on hills. Being underpowered, and power changes in the 240D are very noticeable.

 

[Lube Man]

Browsing through the latest issue of TDR I came across an article that indicates the VP44 has Viton seals!

 

[Mr. C]

Doesn't it feel good to thumb your nose at OPEC :-laf