Biodiesel and lift pumps
 

I am wrestling with a small problem. I am interested in refining my own biodiesel, I would like to run B100 in my '88 F250. I know I need to replace all the hoses and seals and stuff, and I need to set up a processor. I asked my mechanic whos opinion I trust a lot, and he said that while biodiesel is great for the environment it can damage the lifter pump, and once that goes, the injection pump is not far behind. He also said that I can get a sensor for the lift pump and replace it for $500 when it starts to go instead of replacing the whole injector pump at $2,000. But I also wonder if the newer diesels have this problem? Should I run a blend instead? How concerned should I be about this?

With all due respect to your mechanic, he knows nothing about biodiesel.

Biodiesel has better lubricity than regular diesel fuel. It will not damage your lift pump in any way.

There are thousands upon thousands of people running biodiesel in everything from brand new $50K pickup trucks to 1960's farm tractors with no problems.

Sometimes people do find an occasional rubber fuel line or seal that needs to be replaced with something synthetic but the problems like that are minor in nature.