Is there a kit to convert the 6.4L Diesel Engine to run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)?

My wallet cannot continue to afford +$4.00/gal Diesel.

 

In a word, no

 

BOOOOO.....



How about this followup question. What diesel engine does run on CNG that could be placed into a 2008 F-250? Maybe I could sell my 6.4L for something else that will run on CNG.

 

None. CNG engines are spark engines, not compression (diesel) engines. Why not make biodiesel?

 

I had my taste of 5% BioDiesel and I suspect it caused me more problems
than it was worth. A few years back, I had to have a major fuels system overhaul
because of 2 things which came together to cause my heart ache. That was running
biodiesel and not changing my fuel filter within a reasonable timeframe. The end result
was that all the junk ended up bypassing the filter and clogging the injectors. In the
end, it was an $8000 repair bill, although 50% of that was labor. But I needed all
new injectors, fuel rail, lines, and a good cleaning of the fuel tank. The mechanic
described the issue as jelly-like junk throughout my system. He couldn't put a finger
on it, but I figured the only logical possibility was biodiesel that I always used from a
local station. Lucky for me, the conclusion by the mechanic was "Bad Fuel" and I was able to get the insurance company to cover the whole repair costs.

Ever since then, I've have just decided to avoid biodiesel.


As for CNG and diesels, if they are spark and no compression, then how is it that you have T Boone Pickens hyping that America can get its 18-Wheeler fleet switched over to CNG when they all have Diesel engines?

 

I've been making and using B100 biodiesel for over 7 years now, and have never had any fuel problems at all. Untill I retired a year ago I ran the whole farm with it. I now sell my excess to a logging company and several farms, all with 0 problems. Your local station must of got a bad batch from it's supplier..............

 

....or could it be the 6.4L engine is just super sensitive to its fuel? I don't doubt
that biodiesel works, I've seen it work well when I used it. I'm just wondering if the
6.4L is just so advanced of an engine that anything short of pure ULSD diesel will
cause you issues.

 

That could very well be true. All my diesels are IDI, and I have no experience with the newer diesels. I do know that you do not use it in any diesel with a DPF...........

B100 is the best solvent in the world (I use it in my solvent tanks...) and will clean out a fuel system fast!

I'd have to check, but I think we have members here that do use it in their 6.4's...............

 

I run my vans on propane and have a lot of miles on them. 2 have 351 3 with 5.4l and 1 with a v10 and they work hard 5 days a week and some harder. I tried the diesel thing and gas I've even tried bio but I'm not one to put a lot of work into making something work nor do i have the space to make that much biodiesel to run them 5 days a week the v10 under stress cost me around .15 to .1875

 

your wrong
"CNG, compressed natural gas, is it the answer for the fuel crisis, we review a diesel/cng conversion."http://www.ewsews.com/cngprices.html

 

Diesel-CNG conversions are generally universal in that they are made for a range of engine displacements rather than for specific engines.

DIY CNG systems (like the one in Bseeton1's link) often use some sort of venturi (look for the 3/4" Type M copper pipe) upstream of the turbocharger to drawn natural gas into the engine. Many use the Impco Model J regulator but at least 1 uses (used?) the Model E. Since venturi vacuum increases with the square of air flow (3X the flow means 9X the vacuum), it is easy to overfuel (with meltdown caused by detonation) a diesel engine, which is why these systems usually have a manually-set throttle valve to limit CNG flow at maximum boost.

Commercial CNG systems use electronic fuel injection controlled by a fuel map in the ECU to meter natural gas according to measured parameters like boost pressure, RPM, throttle position, exhaust temperature, etc. This allows more diesel to be safely substituted with CNG and maximizing CNG use is the key to reducing fuel costs. Supplying the fuel post-turbo reduces the lag time and makes these systems much more responsive compared with pre-turbo supply.

Commercial aftermarket Diesel-CNG systems include:

• American Power Group
• Bex Corp
• Engine Control Technology
• Prins Dieselblend System (6-cylinder maximum)
• Technocarb EcoDiesel System

The heavy duty truck use of natural gas promoted by T Boone Pickens is either using a diesel engine converted to natural gas or using a diesel-LNG dual fuel engine.

• Cummins Westport - Spark Ignition Natural Gas Engines
• Westport HD - Diesel-LNG Dual Fuel Engines
• Westport LD - Gasoline-CNG/LPG Bi-Fuel Engines

 

Great info

 

I use Bio in my 6.4, but im tuned and deleted.....I buy B-99 and mix accordingly. I am running B-20 right now and have been for months, not a single problem. I did the same thing in my 6.0 with no issues ( one gelled filter in the winter from running to high a concentration) But my truck runs perfect and I have changed the fuel filters once and they looked great!

I think the key is the fuel you buy, I buy my Biodiesel from a commercial maker ( newport Biodiesel) and its made great!