B20

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Nov 20, 2007 | 12:42 PM

WonderDonkey

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Joined: Aug 2007

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From: Albuquerque, New Mexico

B20

The only Bio we have in our city comes from one station kinda out of the way. There mix is b20, what exactly does that mean. It is 3.39 so about $0
.10 more than ulsd. If I want to run Bio what should i expect. Better/worse mpg, better running/worse runnig. Also can i fill up a full tank with Bio or do i need to mix?

Nov 20, 2007 | 01:52 PM

HKusp

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Joined: Jun 2007

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From: Hampton, Maryland.

B20 means that it is 20% bio 80% dino diesel. You can run it full tank or any blend with regular diesel you want. Mileage is supposed to decrease a bit when running bio. 20% bio probably not much at all. In the beggining I would keep a spare fuel filter on hand because bio has a detergent effect and will dislodge any sludge that has built up in the fuel lines and in the tank which eventually is a good thing, but at first it can be a PIA. The other thing is, the bio has improved lubricity so you don't have to supplement the low sulfer with DK or similar product although, in the winter you still need an antigel if you live anywhere that it gets cold.. Otherwise it will work pretty much like regular diesel.

Nov 20, 2007 | 01:57 PM

F250_

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From: North of Greenville

I would fillup with ULSD, run the tank to about 3/4 full, then top off with B20. The B20 means "no more than 20% biodiesel". I'm not sure what the minimum requirement is.

Before you do this, get two sets of extra fuel filters on hand because the B20 will clean out your system very well, in addition to making your injectors a lot happier and somewhat quieter.

When I did what I recommended above, I had to change my filters within a week, and should probably change them again, but haven't yet.

Be aware, though, that if you have any existing fuel leaks, they will probably get a little worse once you start running biodiesel due to its cleaning capabilities. Fix those leaks first, if you have any.

I spent two tanks working my way up to where I only fillup with B20 now. here in Birmingham, it's running $0.13/gallon cheaper than dinoDiesel.

Nov 20, 2007 | 02:11 PM

Kwikkordead

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Joined: Jun 2004

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From: Rio Rico, AZ.

IMO B20 is the best mix to run with.
Exhaust smells like both dino and bio together, good power and very little smoke.

Nov 20, 2007 | 02:29 PM

gwebel

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Joined: Jan 2007

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I have been running B20 here in Boston for a couple months... engine is a little bit quieter, but mileage has gotten a little worse... I am hoping that its from the fuel filter being full of whatever crap has been inside my engine. I am changing the filter tonight and will keep track of my MPG on my trip to Maine this week for Thanksgiving.

I just like knowing that 20% of my money is not going overseas somewhere...

Nov 20, 2007 | 02:34 PM

monsterbaby

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Joined: Dec 2003

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From: iowa

my mileage always goes up when I am running up to B25 then stays even up to around B80 then a VERY slight drop at B100. I don't know why everyone thinks it gets worse cause I have NEVER seen a drop of more then half a MPG even at 100% bio though, at least not when I hand calculate it, although for some reason the lie-o-meter reads funny when I run it and that one I just can't figure out.

Nov 20, 2007 | 02:38 PM

F250_

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From: North of Greenville

I've seen no really appreciable mpg changes with the B20 I'm running. My personal suspicion about the mpg differences is probably based more on what the base stock is for the bioD. I know that I've seen some comparison charts on bioD fuel characteristics versus base stock, and there can be some significant differences in flash point and btu content based on source.