Biodiesel question
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: Sunny Southern California
Biodiesel question
I know this isn't the biodiesel forum but I wanted a good cross section answer, not a biased one.
What is your EXPERIENCE with biodiesel? I'm interested in hearing as much first hand experience as possible. With all due respect, I'm not as interested in 2nd party stories.
Thanks for your time putting this in guys.
What is your EXPERIENCE with biodiesel? I'm interested in hearing as much first hand experience as possible. With all due respect, I'm not as interested in 2nd party stories.
Thanks for your time putting this in guys.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,293
Likes: 10
From: Parker, CO
I used biodiesel for several years when I lived in South Carolina. Ran everything from B2 to B100. My truck idled noticeably quieter, and for the most part mileage and power remained pretty much unchanged. I think the bio I was getting was pretty good quality.
Now I live in Colorado, and the closest station selling bio is a good 40 minutes away. Not worth my time to drive out that far just to fill up. I kinda miss running it though.
Now I live in Colorado, and the closest station selling bio is a good 40 minutes away. Not worth my time to drive out that far just to fill up. I kinda miss running it though.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Renton, Washington
I have run both bio and straight #2 and have noticed you need to change your fuel filters more often with the bio. Also I had a slight decrease in MPG on the bio. The only other thing I can say is it depends on where you are to what you can get as a blend. Here in Washington I think they can only go to a 5% blend when you go to the pump at the big name places.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,049
Likes: 1
I ran it until the prices of fuel dropped and then I refused to pay the $0.40-0.50 extra for Bio and switched back to dino. Now that things have leveled out, I will switch back when the weather warms up. I didn't really pay attention to how it ran after I switched, so I can't offer any input on that, but I did see a slight mileage drop. Definitely when you start using it you will need to change your filters. Bio has a detergent property and once you get above B5, I believe, it will scrub the sludge out of your tank and dump it in your filters, injectors, etc.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,769
Likes: 8
From: Lubbock
Made my truck run a lot quieter that was the only benifit other than price... Last summer it was 30 cents cheaper for the b100 when I was filling up. I was in ft worth and there isn't much if any bio that I have seen here that is cost effective to run..
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 853
Likes: 0
From: northern,california
I have been using Biodiesel for the last 35K. The motor runs so much smoother at high % of Bio. I use B50 to B80 during the winter and B100 during the summer months. Biodiesel will gel between 40 to 32 deg F depending on the feed stock. It also has less BTU's than dino diesel. So there is a little less power and less mpg. I get around 15.5 mpg overall driving. Biodiesel acts like a cleaning solvent. So it will clean out all the diesel sludge and send it to the fuel filters. So I started slowly around b5 and gradually ended up to B100. I added around 5% more Bio on each tank. I changed my fuel filters after every 4 tanks. So it was around 3 months and 3 filters and the fuel system was good to go. I tend to be on the conservative side. I don't want to screw up this expensive motor. I also keep a spare fuel filter and tools in the truck just in case I need to make an emergency filter change. When the truck feels sluggish and low on power get that fuel filter changed fast or you can damage the injectors and fuel pump. The biggest problem I have had is I get hungry every time I smell the exhaust. It smells like fried chicken.
National Biodiesel Board - www.biodiesel.org - www.nbb.org
National Biodiesel Board - www.biodiesel.org - www.nbb.org
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,370
Likes: 1,858
From: Frederick, MD
I ran one tank of it this last Dec, for the newer trucks with the 6.4 you can only run 5% max. Even then you will have to change filers and oil more often per service manual.
It also had less energy and MPG's go down a lot in the 6.4 with bio. I lost about 5 mpgs when i ran it.
It also had less energy and MPG's go down a lot in the 6.4 with bio. I lost about 5 mpgs when i ran it.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 853
Likes: 0
From: northern,california
There should be no modifications needed. You just need to make sure your fuel system is in good working order. I would also start off with a low % of bio untill the fuel system is all cleaned out. See my post above.
http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/pdfs/43672.pdf
Grab a good cup of coffee and enjoy the reading.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Southwestern Ohio
I ran bio in my 7.3 Excursion for about 30K miles, until I recently sold it. Most of that was b100. I am now using it in a 2002 F250 7.3. I can substantiate most of what was previously mentioned: change your fuel filter after about the first 1000 miles of usage because of bio's cleaning properties, expect about 5-10% lower mpg's, engine will run quieter, use approximately 50/50 (bio/dino) if you live in cold weather climate (if it gets below 20 degrees F I usually run straight dino). There are no mods that need to be made. I cannot speak for the 6.0's or the 6.4's, so if you have a newer engine you need to investigate further.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 853
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From: northern,california