does MPG increase with biodiesel?

KLWdesigns · #1 (**permalink**) 05-22-2009, 02:18 PM

B20 is about the same price as diesel right now at a local station. if I use some B20, say half a tankful, would I expect to see an increase in my feul mileage?
Any advice?

aurgathor · #2 (**permalink**) 05-23-2009, 03:16 AM

Try: http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum168/

I'm not running a diesel, but based on the chemistry, my guess is 'no'.

BPofMD · #3 (**permalink**) 05-23-2009, 11:16 AM

But you sure will clean out your fuel system.......be ready with new fuel filters....

jimandmandy · #4 (**permalink**) 05-26-2009, 09:20 AM

There is a good correlation between density and heat content. So, if the API gravity spec of B20 is the same as straight diesel, the mileage is most likely going to be the same.

Jim

binuya · #5 (**permalink**) 05-30-2009, 04:09 PM

I have been running my homebrew, 100% (B50-60 in the winter) for almost a year now. My own rough estimates show around a 8-10% reduction in MPG. Feels like a corresponding percentage in power reduction. Doesn't matter to me though, knowing that it is better for my engine and its fuel system.

I found a BTU comparison:

-#2 pump petro diesel=140,000 BTU/gal. 48 cetane
-B100 soybean based=130,000 BTU/gal. 55 cetane

binuya · #6 (**permalink**) 05-30-2009, 04:13 PM

BTW, I've found running B20 resulted in no noticeable loss in power, and a negligible change in MPG.

I believe the lubricity gains with that quantity, however, are well worth it.

wiingnut · #7 (**permalink**) 05-30-2009, 05:12 PM

I ran bio in my diesel probably 5-6 times and noticed a mileage decrease of about 10-15% like the other guy above

KLWdesigns · #8 (**permalink**) 06-01-2009, 12:18 PM

Bummer. At 11 mpg I don't want to get worse gas mileage.

jimandmandy · #9 (**permalink**) 06-03-2009, 08:21 AM

There are other biofuels under development that may get better mileage than petroleum distillates (diesel, jet, etc).

"Air New Zealand is coming out in strong support of alternative fuel, saying that more than 3,000 pounds of fuel can be saved on a 12-hour flight if that flight is flown on a jatropha-seed-oil biofuel blend instead of straight Jet A."

Jatropha Oil Biofuel Update

Jim

pancreas · #10 (**permalink**) 06-20-2009, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KLWdesigns

Bummer. At 11 mpg I don't want to get worse gas mileage.

Have you flashed you CPU or anything? I was seeing 14.6 mpg bought a bully dog and was shocked my c/h ave is around 21.1 atm at 3 months of daily driving. I run B20 as often as i can.

KLWdesigns · #11 (**permalink**) 06-22-2009, 05:17 PM

I have recently purchased a DP Tuner. My fuel mileage did go up a couple MPG's. Plus there's a whole lot more ppower!

fuelman · #12 (**permalink**) 04-20-2010, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KLWdesigns

B20 is about the same price as diesel right now at a local station. if I use some B20, say half a tankful, would I expect to see an increase in my feul mileage?
Any advice?

If the vendor is selling the B20 for the same price don't waste your money on it. You will lose MPG -n- power. The vendor is taking large profits due to the tax incentives on bio blending,when it should be cheaper than staight fuel. Many of states have as much as $1.50/gal on the bio sold through there pumps, these include state and federal incentives. Bio is cool if it is cheaper otherwise not really a value. I'm not against it just letting you know that most vendors are selling it only because of the tax incentives that make it profitable for them. Truth is without the government tax credits it wouldn't be around. Which we all pay for.

Red Monkey · #13 (**permalink**) 02-22-2011, 09:15 AM

I've not noticed a drop in mpg using b-20 and I 'hand calculate' my mpg after each fill up. I ran b-20 until the local station raised the price, now B-20 is about .15 cents a gal more than #2 diesel and #2 is WAY to expensive as it is...It don't look like that 'Hope and Change' is working out so well. Or is it?