Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Fuel System Vehicle Issues and Storage
The oil change interval can be affected by the use of biodiesel fuel. End users are advised to use oil sampling to monitor the engine oil condition and to determine the optimum oil change interval. Pure biodiesel fuel can cause a chemical reaction with lube oil resulting in oil sludging.
Elastomer compatibility with biodiesel is still being monitored. The condition of seals, hoses, gaskets, and wire coatings should be monitored regularly.
Biodiesel fuels contain residual alcohol from the esterification process, which can remove deposits from fuel tanks and lines causing filter plugging during initial testing. The fuel system should be flushed with this fuel before operation, and the fuel filters will need frequent replacement in the early stages of operation in older units.
Biodiesel fuels may pose low ambient temperature problems for both storage and operation. At low ambient temperatures, fuel may need to be stored in a heated building or a heated storage tank. The fuel system may require heated fuel lines, filters, and tanks. Filters may plug and fuel in the tank may solidify at low ambient temperatures if precautions are not taken. Consult your bio diesel supplier for assistance in the blending and attainment of the proper cloud point fuel.
Biodiesel has poor oxidation stability, which can result in long term storage problems. The poor oxidation stability qualities may accelerate fuel oxidation in the fuel system. This is especially true in engines with electronic fuel systems because they operate at higher temperatures. Consult the fuel supplier for oxidation stability additives.
Biodiesel fuel is an excellent medium for microbial growth. Microbes cause fuel system corrosion and premature filter plugging. The effectiveness of conventional anti-microbial additives, when used in biodiesel is not known. Consult your fuel and additive supplier for assistance.
Care must be taken to remove water from fuel tanks. Water accelerates microbial growth. Water is naturally more prevalent in biodiesel fuels than in distillate fuels.
Warranty and the use of Biodiesel Fuel in Cummins Engines
Cummins neither approves or disapproves of the use of biodiesel fuel. Cummins is not in a position to evaluate the many variations of biodiesel fuels or other additives, and their long-term effects on performance, durability or emissions compliance of Cummins products. The use of biodiesel fuel does not affect Cummins Material and Workmanship warranty. Failures caused by the use of biodiesel fuels or other fuel additives are NOT defects of workmanship and/or material as supplied by Cummins Inc. and CANNOT be compensated under the Cummins' warranty.
Bosch states in their Diesel Fuel Quality -- Common Position Paper (03/05/99) that no guarantee on FIE is given so far to any alternative fuel except for Diesel + 5% FAME. There is a major difference between operating on pure (100% concentration) biodiesel fuels and biodiesel/petro diesel fuel blends.
REFER TO CHART IN LINK I PROVIDED ABOVE
*Regional, national, or international regulations may require a lower sulfur content than 0. 5%. Consult all applicable regulations before selecting a fuel for a given engine application. Fuel with sulfur higher than 0. 5% is not allowed without prior approval by Cummins. Fuel system corrosion, heightened emissions, and reduced oil drain intervals are just some of the possible adverse effects of fuels with very high sulfur.
NOTE: Special hardened parts are available for some PT and HPI fuel systems to operate on fuel with lubricity lower than required. Contact Cummins distributors for options.
The oil change interval can be affected by the use of biodiesel fuel. End users are advised to use oil sampling to monitor the engine oil condition and to determine the optimum oil change interval. Pure biodiesel fuel can cause a chemical reaction with lube oil resulting in oil sludging.
Elastomer compatibility with biodiesel is still being monitored. The condition of seals, hoses, gaskets, and wire coatings should be monitored regularly.
Biodiesel fuels contain residual alcohol from the esterification process, which can remove deposits from fuel tanks and lines causing filter plugging during initial testing. The fuel system should be flushed with this fuel before operation, and the fuel filters will need frequent replacement in the early stages of operation in older units.
Biodiesel fuels may pose low ambient temperature problems for both storage and operation. At low ambient temperatures, fuel may need to be stored in a heated building or a heated storage tank. The fuel system may require heated fuel lines, filters, and tanks. Filters may plug and fuel in the tank may solidify at low ambient temperatures if precautions are not taken. Consult your bio diesel supplier for assistance in the blending and attainment of the proper cloud point fuel.
Biodiesel has poor oxidation stability, which can result in long term storage problems. The poor oxidation stability qualities may accelerate fuel oxidation in the fuel system. This is especially true in engines with electronic fuel systems because they operate at higher temperatures. Consult the fuel supplier for oxidation stability additives.
Biodiesel fuel is an excellent medium for microbial growth. Microbes cause fuel system corrosion and premature filter plugging. The effectiveness of conventional anti-microbial additives, when used in biodiesel is not known. Consult your fuel and additive supplier for assistance.
Care must be taken to remove water from fuel tanks. Water accelerates microbial growth. Water is naturally more prevalent in biodiesel fuels than in distillate fuels.
Warranty and the use of Biodiesel Fuel in Cummins Engines
Cummins neither approves or disapproves of the use of biodiesel fuel. Cummins is not in a position to evaluate the many variations of biodiesel fuels or other additives, and their long-term effects on performance, durability or emissions compliance of Cummins products. The use of biodiesel fuel does not affect Cummins Material and Workmanship warranty. Failures caused by the use of biodiesel fuels or other fuel additives are NOT defects of workmanship and/or material as supplied by Cummins Inc. and CANNOT be compensated under the Cummins' warranty.
Bosch states in their Diesel Fuel Quality -- Common Position Paper (03/05/99) that no guarantee on FIE is given so far to any alternative fuel except for Diesel + 5% FAME. There is a major difference between operating on pure (100% concentration) biodiesel fuels and biodiesel/petro diesel fuel blends.
REFER TO CHART IN LINK I PROVIDED ABOVE
*Regional, national, or international regulations may require a lower sulfur content than 0. 5%. Consult all applicable regulations before selecting a fuel for a given engine application. Fuel with sulfur higher than 0. 5% is not allowed without prior approval by Cummins. Fuel system corrosion, heightened emissions, and reduced oil drain intervals are just some of the possible adverse effects of fuels with very high sulfur.
NOTE: Special hardened parts are available for some PT and HPI fuel systems to operate on fuel with lubricity lower than required. Contact Cummins distributors for options.
