Pros and Cons of Biodiesel with ULSD

[Cattletrkr]

Anybody have any input on running biodiesel with ULSD. My mileage has gone up the last couple months since the ULSD started showing up. The fuel was visibly clearer starting in June sometime. I've been running B20-30 since. Mileage went from low 10's to 11. 0-11. 3 consistantly. I don't know if it is fuel related or if my truck finally broke in at 170K :-laf.

Anybody else notice anything?

EDIT: Bio % is the same as I was running before.

 

[AKaiser]

Don't know for sure, as I changed over about the time summer fuel kicked in. Will let know when winter fuel goes. I was getting 17. 8 on winter dino ULSD or LSD.

 

[JFaughn]

I've been running bio diesel for over 2 yrs , 10%-40% , & about 25% now , I do not remember what yrs , but there were some issues with common rail fuel systems & polymerizations of the fuel [ bio ] .
Then there is a big opening of the followers of the different alt. fuels , that can be a big can of worms .
If your truck is not a common rail , then bio diesel is one of the best lubes additives , I saw a post about additive testing , there were close to 18-20 different additives & the bio was at the top .
I see your in the area , where are your getting your bio ?
I have a couple sources , a trucker through a friend & a commercial processor , from ND.

 

[PRout]

Cant tell much performance difference from changing the Bio percentage mix with ULSD. All i know is the more bio that is in there the smoother & quiter the engine runs and the exhaust is much less strong on the diesel odors. Have been running 99% and then mixing in ULSD when I see a good price, so the % constantly varies.

Have noticed when the % gets up over arounf 75% bio, the fuel pressure goes up. I "think" it is because it has a higher viscosity and the regulator bypass is not bypassing as much fuel back to the tank, but thats just a theory so far.

Other than that, and the possibility of bio eating any old rubber hoses, Im really liking it. But that is down here in calif where it is warm and we dont have to deal with a gel point.

 

[Cattletrkr]

Same here. I've been running anything from B2 up to B80 over the last couple years. I get the same mileage with summertime B80 as I do with B2 in winter fuel.

What I encountered this year was in June or so I finally started seeing the difference in the fuel coming out of my barrell. Fuel guy said the LSD is finally out of the system and it's just ULSD now.

About that same time my mileage went up. I can't come up with any explanation as to why. Either it's the fuel or my truck really is finally hitting its stride... now that I want to get rid of it.

 

[SHobbs]

B100 in the summer and B20 in the winter here. Ran everything from refined soybean oil to cottonseed oil and now 50-50 mix of soybean oil and processed chicken fat. My mileage went up a little with the B100 compared to bio for some reason my truck does not like the ULSD. Definitely quieter, very little smoke if any at all and maybe just maybe the extra lubrication will help keep the pumps cooler extending thier life as well.



Phil,

My fuel pressure actually drops a bit with bio compared to ULSD. with B100 I get around 10-11 psi at idle and with ULSD I get nearly 13 psi.

 

[RWPor]

Biodiesel information

I have just begun putting Bio diesel in my 2007 5. 9 I have some information on the various grades This information is from the Phamplet



All is quoted from the phamplet



B5 (additive) For all diesel vehicles and equipment 95 % diesel and 5% Biodiesel



B20 (Blend) For most diesel vehicles & equipment 80% diesel & 20 % biodiesel

Best emmission reduction for the cost



b99 for some diesel vehicles & equipment 99. 9 % biodiesel & . 1 % diesel. Greatest emission reduction Domestic,renewable energy.



Meet or exceed astm d_6751 for this company



IMPORTANT: The 3 C's of Biodiesel



Cleaning effect Biodiesel is an natural solvent, will desolve solvents and send to fuel filter. Fuel filters may need to be replaced more frequently.



Compatbiliity with materials. biodiesel wiil degrade natural (nitrile) rubber hosesand seals used in vehiclesmanufactured before 1993. generaqlly, vehicles, vehicles manufactured after 1993 are equipped with biodiesel synthetic rubber, viton or metal fuel system componnents.



Fuel filters Biodiesel is incompatable with many water blocking fuel filters. They recommend water seperating fuel filters. The use of Biodiesel may increase the replacement frequency for 2 micron filters.



Cold flow Biodiesel fuel will gel at low temperatures blend biodiesel b99 with 50 % petrol-diesel.



To ensure material compability with biodiesel check with your mechanic or manufacturer. bio diesel has a lubricating value much higher than that of petro-diesel. the higher cetane in biodiesel causes engines to run more smoothly and quietly.



As I mentioned I took all of the aove from a phamplet on biodiesel I got when I filled up with B5.