Is B20 much of a solvent and cause clogged filters?

jimh425 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-27-2007, 11:02 PM

I've owned my PSD for about 1 1/2 years. It only has about 18K miles though.

I've read that B100 will really free tank deposits and clog fuel filters because of that. I wondered how much of a consideration it should be for B20. B20 is now locally available. I may not fill up with B20 always though so the concentration would be at most B20.

Does it mean that I should expect immediate clogs, should I up my frequency of changing the fuel filter, or will it be indistinguishable from running dino?

adambomb · #2 (**permalink**) 10-27-2007, 11:20 PM

i don't belive that b20 will result in immediate of your fuel filters, it hasn't in my personal experiences and I have run b100 right off the bat. bio diesel does clean out diesel deposits in your fuel system, how fast is determined by blend of bio, quality of previous fuel, amount of miles on the truck, and how recent your fuel filters have been changed. you said you have 18k miles on your truck and if you follow the schedual maitenance you would have changed your fuel filters 3k miles ago so they are fairly new. if i would you i would change my filters out after about 3 tanks of b20 just to be safe. the injectors on our 6.0l are picky about fuel pressure and when your filters get clogged they can starve your injectors for fuel which is not good for them and will shorten their life.
good luck, ejoy supporting american farmers, helping the enviornment, and a smoother running truck !

Talyn · #3 (**permalink**) 10-28-2007, 09:41 AM

It will have the cleaning effects of bio, just not in the concentration of 100% bio.
So checking your fuel filter is still a good idea incase there are lots of build up in your tank and system that it starts cleaning out.

If you went strait to 100% you would probably clog up faster in the filter.
Bio is great stuff, try not to get it on your paint. =)

bigredtruckmi · #4 (**permalink**) 10-28-2007, 06:56 PM

Be aware that anything over a B5 could void engine warranty if a problem arrises. I see your from WA. Here in Michigan my fuel supplier won't deliver B20 past Halloween because of possible jelling. I use B5 year round with no problems.
The 6.0 is very sensitive to fuel pressure and volume. Which if it is off could damage expensive parts. I change my fuel filer at 10K and pull it apart and have had only one partical pluging while on vacation.

jimh425 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-28-2007, 07:58 PM

I read up on the potential warranty issues before I put the B20 in. If you go to all sites out there including the Bio sites and the DOE site, you'll find that Ford or International will not void the warranty based on fuel only. There is also one publicized case of someone burning B100 in a 2008 and Ford ended up offering a replacement truck.

Futhermore, Ford and GM are evaluating, but are expected to follow Dodges lead of certifying B20. One other thing, there are federal standards for B20 at the pump. Part of the issue is that the fuel supplier is on the hook and that is similar to using certified oil. The manufacturer stands behind the consumer. If you mix your own, that goes out the window.

There is also quite a bit of DOE and other docs that compare B20 and less to other products like B100 and how they affect the vehicles.

BTW, I'm not trying to tempt fate, but a reasonable attempt by me to get rid of partial oil dependence is a good idea.

bigredtruckmi · #6 (**permalink**) 10-29-2007, 06:15 PM

I agree with what you say and am for going to B100 but until the warranty issue is cleared up I can't afford to pay legal bills etc to run B100. I just hate to see anyone getting burned by not knowing what the limit on the warranty possiblility is. It was just for information only.