Towing-NO more B20 Biodiesel

[CUMMINZ]

In the past several weeks I topped off my tank with B20 - Biodiesel. Probably only placed 15 gallons in my tank at the most. After just a couple of days when I would start my truck it immediately would run extremely rough for about 8-10 seconds. Some of you suggested it might be a fuel filter. Last week I filled the tank with all regular diesel and pulled the 5er to the BlueRidge. After a couple of short trips and rough starts the engine through a code and the engine light came on. The light finally went off. After coming down the mountain I filled the tank with regular diesel and also poured in a small amount of diesel cetane booster. The truck is now running like a top. NO more B20 for me.

 

[JHardwick]

I get better mileage and a smoother running truck from B-20

 

[WadePatton]

Wish I could find some. I tink the p-pump will digest it.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

maybe a bad batch? on my 12v, it found a weak lift pump and put some snot in the fuel filter, but not enough to cause it to run poorly. I replaced the filter when I replaced the lift pump. I run B20 whenever I'm in Dallas.



my buddy's ETH was suffering from dead pedal and an APPS code... running B20 "cured" it, and whenever he would be on the road pulling a load, the dead pedal would return when he'd run regular #2. he started filling his aux tank w/ B20 and putting 5gal or so of B20 per tank when he filled up on the road to keep the pump healthy.

 

[lethal injection]

Never had a problem running b20 or b100

 

[HOBrian]

Is this your first time running b20? Could this have cleaned your fuel tank and run all of the bad stuff up towards the filter and caused the bad running condition? Just a thought.

 

[CUMMINZ]

What is really funny is that it only acts up at startup. After that it runs perfect.

 

[EKlem]

I have to agree with everyone else that my truck loves B20 and even B100. With B20, I actually get better mileage than with no bio.

 

[ColemanR]

Kind of interesting my truck did the same thing minus the engine lite has not done it sence I thought is was just a little glitch changed filter like you Ijust have not had the chanceto put more b20 think Iwill aviod it also Randy

 

[mberry]

My truck does the same thing every single morning the temperature is below about 40 without being plugged in. Sometimes up to 30 seconds if it's really cold. I have never run Bio, but I wish I could find it.

 

[CUMMINZ]

I just pumped in 1/2 tank from same B20 pump. I should know in the next couple days if it going to run. Since I pumped in the full tank of regular diesel last week it has run like a champ.

 

[Mundgyver]

What you are going to read here, is quoted directly out of the following BOSCH book, Diesel-Engine Management, 4th Edition by Robert Bosch Gmbh, October 2005. This is from page 48 and 49, under Alternative Fuels.



Food for thought guys. Information is always valuable.



Quote begins PG 48. Alternative fuels for diesel engine include biogenic fuels, and, in a wider sense, fossil fuels that are not produced on the basis of crude oil. This included mainly esters that are derived from organic oils.

Alcohol fuels (methanol and ethanol) are only used in diesel engines to a minor extent, and only as an emulsion together with diesel fuel.



Fatty-Acid Methyl Ester (FAME)



Fatty-Acid Methyl Ester (Fame) – commonly known as biodiesel – is the generic term applied to vegetable or animal oils and greases which have been transesterified with methanol. FAME is produced from various raw materials, mainly from rape seed oil (Rape Seed Oil Methyl Ester (RME) Europe), or soya (Soya Methyl Ester (SME), U. S. A. ). There are also sunflower and palm esters (Used Frying Oil Methyl Esters (UFOME), and beef tallow esters (Tallow Methyl Esters (TME)), but these are mostly used in conjunction with other FAMEs. Ethanol can also be transesterified instead of methanol, as in Brazil to produce soya ethyl ester. FAME is either used in pure form (B100, i. e. 100% biodiesel), or it is mixed with diesel fuel to maximum FAME proportion of 5% to from Blend B5. B5 is permitted as a diesel fuel in compliance with EN590.

Since the use of low-quality FAME may lead to malfunctions or damage to the engine and fuel-injection system, FAME specifications are controlled at European level (EN14214). It is essential, in particular, to ensure good aging stability (oxidation stability) and to eliminate contamination caused by the process. FAME must satisfy European Standard EN 14214, regardless of whether it is used directly as B100, or as an additive in diesel fuel. The B5 blend created by FAME additives must also comply with the requirements for pure diesel fuel (EN590).

The production of FAME is uneconomical in comparison with mineral-oil-based diesel fuels and must be heavily subsidized (exemption from mineral-oil tax) in Germany.



Pure, unesterified vegetable oils are no longer used in direct-injection diesel engines since they cause considerable problems, mainly due to their high viscosity and extreme nozzle coking.



PG 49, Emulsions

Emulsions of water or ethanol in diesel fuels are undergoing trials at a number of different institutes, Water and alcohols are difficult to dissolve in diesel. Emulsifiers are required to keep the mixture stable and prevent it from demulsification. Wear- and corrosion-inhibiting measures are also necessary. The use of emulsifiers reduces soot- and nitrogen-oxide emissions since the combustion mixture is cooler due to the water content.



Their use to date has been restricted to vehicle fleets which, for the most part, are equipped with in-line fuel-injection pumps. Other fuel-injection systems are either unsuitable for operations with the emulsifiers, or no trials have been made using them.



End of Quote

 

[Boondocker]

CUMMINZ,



Have you tried draining your water seperator? BioDiesel is more hydroscopic than #2, so perhaps your startup problems are due to water settling into your fuel pickup when you have bio.



I run B20 regularly and have towed with ratios up to 100% with no problems. B100 makes for a smooth, quiet engine. Also, I continue to run an additive like Stanadyne Performance.



I doubt that the bio itself is causing your problems, more likely that it's the fuel system crud being loosened up by the bio, or water. It's not just the crud in your truck either, it could be crud from your fuel supplier too, which means it may take several fuel filter changes before it's all cleaned out. You might ask your fuel supplier about their filter changing history on their bio pump. Don't ask the clerk at the register, talk to the manager.

 

[Todd T]

I completely agree with Boondocker and would add: We will be digesting the crud from the entire fuel supply chain for a while not just the service stations.

 

[CUMMINZ]

Engine serviced today

I had my engine serviced today and changed my fuel filter. We inspected the filter extremely well and found absolutely no crud in the filter. There were a few spots of what looked like smaller than pepper sized metal (shiney) specs on the bottom plate. I felt them with my finger and they were so small I could not feel them. I still have no idea why my engine ran rough. Since the full fillup of regular diesel that weekend my engine has run flawlessly. Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[bulabula]

I still have no idea why my engine ran rough. Since the full fillup of regular diesel that weekend my engine has run flawlessly. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Probably a lousy batch of fuel - its happened before, especially with diesel fuel.

 

[david1938]

dave

seeing as we are talking about fuel, has any one checked out the newest diesel site? they say they can make good diesel out of garbage at . 50 to . 60

cent per gallon. it is (cleanenergyprojects.com) lets see what you think.

04

1 ton

duel

pull 13500 no problems

thing is stock