Question about biodiesel
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 156
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From: Northern Illinois
Question about biodiesel
So my favorite station has slapped a new sticker on their diesel pump; "Fuel may contain 5% to 20% biodiesel". Will my 2007 6.0L just gobble that crap up and keep running like a champ or should I be looking for a new "favorite station"? Other then doing a quick search here, I don't no much about biodiesel other then it will gell faster. I already use the Power Service supplement (gray bottle in summer and white in winter), any other words of wisdom?
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Happy Valley, Oregon
Our city (Portland OR) has made a law that all diesel in the city is B-5. Alll I know is in my big trucks and loaders we eat fuel filters now. Crap grows in the tanks and Bio sucks as far as I am concerned. I run it i have no choice. Change your fuel filter a bit more is what I do. These idiot city leaders have no idea the extra cost it puts on us as fleet owners. The added cost of the fuel and the extra fuel filters and dumping additive in our tanks to keep them clean.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Northern Illinois
I typically change the fuel filter every 10,000 miles. How often do you change yours now that you are using the B5?
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 944
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From: Happy Valley, Oregon
Steve what do we do when the city mandates that is all a reatailer can sell? I use an additive now.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Lakewood, Ca.
Short of going somewhere else to fuel I don't know what you could do. You've got a handle on the increased frequency of filter changes, so it shouldn't harm your truck.
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Happy Valley, Oregon
I could change them more I guess. Any additive that you know of that can combat the Bio?
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Lakewood, Ca.
I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing in small concentrations other than having to change the filters more often. According to that additive study (which is floating around here somewhere on the forum) bio gives the best increase in lubricity for the injectors over the other available additives.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
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From personnel experience and knowing several engineers that do all their research in biofuels. The bio diesel will actually help clean a fuel system that has built up. Thats the reason first time users have to change filters so often and its probably the best thing for lubricating your fuel system that u can find. but it is more expensive.
I would suggest putting a additive to retard algae growth if your storing for some time or if your in colder climates.
I would suggest putting a additive to retard algae growth if your storing for some time or if your in colder climates.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 307
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From: central texas
the bio-diesel will clean your fuel system. carry extra fuel filters.....
a newer vehicle won't have any issues.
as soon as the fuel system gets clean, you can go back to your normal filter change schedule.
the bio does lubricate the fuel system components better than straight #2.
i have found that i have no problems with algae, even with long term storage.
bio will absorb moisture. a fuel / water separator added to the fuel system is a good idea.
i'm running a frame mounted 2 micron filter and sep unit. i change them when needed, usually around 15,000 intervals.
with my old truck, the bio seems to keep the injectors clean longer.
cc
a newer vehicle won't have any issues.
as soon as the fuel system gets clean, you can go back to your normal filter change schedule.
the bio does lubricate the fuel system components better than straight #2.
i have found that i have no problems with algae, even with long term storage.
bio will absorb moisture. a fuel / water separator added to the fuel system is a good idea.
i'm running a frame mounted 2 micron filter and sep unit. i change them when needed, usually around 15,000 intervals.
with my old truck, the bio seems to keep the injectors clean longer.
cc
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,626
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From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
Bio also has a higher gel temp as well. If you live in a climate that gets fairly cold(38* now here), you might want to consider something for that as well.
I wouldn't get upset about the fuel filter quicker changes early on. That actually means that the bio is doing it's job.
I wouldn't get upset about the fuel filter quicker changes early on. That actually means that the bio is doing it's job.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Northern Illinois
Thanks for the info guys. So what I am understanding it that other then fouling fuel filters quicker initially, the biodiesel is not all that bad from a lubricity standpoint. I looked over my bottle of Power Service treatment and it didn't say anything about anti algae. What are you using to combat the algae and how often is it needed?
Senior User
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If your just filling your truck up at the station i would not worry about it. But if you were like some of the farmers I know that get a tanker at a time and it was sitting for a few months, then I would treat it. We havent found algae to be a problem, but with that much diesel they'd rather treat it then find they have a few thousand gallons of contaminated diesel. Power Service Bio Kleen is what you can use if you want to spend the money. I like to run something of the sort once or twice a year to keep tank clean.