What's in your tank?

[Wayne M.]

I was just taking on some fuel at a station I don't normally hit, unless it's 0430 and I'm in need. So since it was daylight, and I wasn't rushing, I noticed this.

This is quite a spread. Could cause trouble for some.

 

[crispyboy]

ok - what is "bio-mass" diesel? What ever it is sounds like a sure fire way to clog a fuel filter.....

 

[Wayne M.]

What ever they blend in. That's the mass. Soy etc. I thought the limit was B10 or 15.

 

[jgillott]

Interesting. I'll have to look, but I think that all the pumps around here say "may contain up to 5% biodiesel ".

I know for sure that the owners manual for my van states not to use anything over 5% biodiesel blend.

 

[Wayne M.]

I know for sure that the owners manual for my van states not to use anything over 5% biodiesel blend.

Exactly. I know the 5.9's were limited to 5 back when. I know spec on my job is B20 and the Fords are and that's what we pump. We clog the 30u Davco's in the big truckslike mad when it drops into single digits.

 

[ScottLewis]

My '06 specifies B05 also but it's becoming harder and harder to find fuel that isn't listed as "up to B20". When I was in the Chicago area last year, I hunted all over before I found Dino-diesel. On this trip I've had to fill several times with Biodiesel that was listed as up to B20. The first couple times I used it my filter plugged up fairly fast. Recently it seems most of the crud has been cleaned from the fuel system and the filters are lasting longer.

Any fuel experts out there have an opinion about the degree of risk I'm taking by using the higher % Bio?

 

[JR]

It's a total crock. In Ohio, if it's B5 or less it doesn't have to be advertised at the pump.

B20 is considered an alternative fuel and must be advertised as such....most people aren't privy to what they're pumping because they see the signage that says "this pump may contain alternative fuels". Doesn't have to say B20 which would be much less confusing to most.

My only experience with B20 was on a road trip to upstate NY delivering a car for my cousin. I had fueled up just inside the NY/PA border (on the NY side). I remember seeing the B20 sticker but it was the only station that sold diesel on that exit. I have the capacity to carry 60 gallons so I filled up and proceeded to head north/north east. It was early winter and we experienced a huge temp swing over the course of 250 miles or so, from low teens to sub zero and the secondary fuel filter plugged solid on my Air Dog. Fortunately we were on a secondary road at that point and there was a farm within a half mile or so of where we broke down. He let us use his shop to thaw out my filter and even had some Power Service that he let me have to dump in my tanks. Drove us back to my truck and sat there until we got going again.

Ever since that incident I always carry a spare filter under my seat and some anti gel during the cold months.

 

[JR]

On the biomass fuel, it's my understanding it is better than biodiesel.

Biomass is refined through conventional methods like traditional diesel fuel. It has a higher energy content than biodiesel and works better in cold weather. I think you'll see it more often in colder climates as it doesn't gel up as quickly as biodiesel.

 

[Wayne M.]

Later next week, I should be able to ask an expert about the difference between biodiesel, and biomass etc.
job has a resident brain man who researches this stuff and has to implement the councils whimsical green wishes.

 

[JR]

Yes, please report the feedback you get.

I would wager most of the time signage does not distinguish between the two. Ya get what ya get.

 

[Jim W]

I fill up at a local grocery store chain; Meijer's. They are big in MI and Northern IL area with their own pumps. None of their pumps list the BIO content on their pumps which means that it is under B5, to me. I will also use Sam's Club in my area since this too does not state the Bio content of the diesel fuel. But what is funny is the local Walmart, 2 miles away states their diesel pumps can contain up to B20 fuel.

I refuse to fill up at BP, Mobil and Shell in my area. All of their diesel fuel pumps state that the fuel content could be between B10 and B20, along with the diesel fuel is not refined by their companies and is locally supplied. But they charge higher fuel prices for the diesel product than Sam's, Walmart and Meijers as much as $0.10 to $0.20 a gallon more.

 

[Wayne M.]

Yes, please report the feedback you get.

I would wager most of the time signage does not distinguish between the two. Ya get what ya get.

I will report but it'll take time.
I think the retailers know what they can get away with. I've never had an issue in my private fueling, but as I mentioned, the city's fuel which is mandated to be B20 is big trouble when the temps drop.

 

[Wayne M.]

I fill up at a local grocery store chain; Meijer's. They are big in MI and Northern IL area with their own pumps. None of their pumps list the BIO content on their pumps which means that it is under B5, to me. I will also use Sam's Club in my area since this too does not state the Bio content of the diesel fuel. But what is funny is the local Walmart, 2 miles away states their diesel pumps can contain up to B20 fuel.

I refuse to fill up at BP, Mobil and Shell in my area. All of their diesel fuel pumps state that the fuel content could be between B10 and B20, along with the diesel fuel is not refined by their companies and is locally supplied. But they charge higher fuel prices for the diesel product than Sam's, Walmart and Meijers as much as $0.10 to $0.20 a gallon more.

This is good to know. The station I pictured above was a Sunoco in NYC. The only other Diesel in my Zip is a BP, I'll have to swing by and look there.
I usually take fuel in NJ. I'll have to start paying attention more.

 

[The patriot]

It's usually cheaper here in NJ.
I'll have to look at the signage when I'm there next time, but I dont remember seeing anything indicating a bio content at the station(s) I regularly frequent.
Hess (when they were still here) used to state a cetane of 45 on their pumps. I'm now seeing 40.
I've been dosing it with diesel Kleen at double the bottle's normal recommendation and I absolutely feel the difference.

 

[The patriot]

This may answer some questions , at least in the NY, NJ area.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfQxoGQvpSs&list=PL5ijoMs00JkcOPOAC5I52OuRcTH6pzf7m&index=5

 

[JR]

So the guy dumps (3) 5 gallon pails of "lubricity additive" into a 100,000 gallon tank and then pumps it off of the barge....I would have thought there was a little more science to the process :-laf

 

[Regcabguy]

Oregon pumps read 5% bio when I was up there.
I occasionally use this:https://propelfuels.com/our_fuels.
I'm going to run a whole tank through the truck next fillup.
I've used a half tank and it definitely doesn't smoke.
I don't know if there is a scouring action like normal biodiesel.

 

[Regcabguy]

Thanks for the information.
Do you have any knowledge of the Propel HPR available on the west coast?
Looking at their website it appears fats and oils are it's source,so I guess it's a no go.

 

[MLee]

Is there a separate build up of the biodiesel additive, or separation, in other words, where they state B5-B20 there could be an accumulation of more than 5% AND THEY COVER THEM SELVES WITH THE B20 STATEMENT. So you do not know what you are really getting. This is all wrong.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Thank goodness we don't have any of this crap in Alaska. We have heating oil and ultra low sulphur diesel.......and it's all the same here. They don't even put dye in it.