I've gone throught 3/4 of a tank so far of Biodiesel and this AM my truck won't start. It blows lots of white smoke through exhaust.

I'd normally assume that my fuel filter is clogged with the biodielse thing, BUT last night my electrical started acting a little funny and I'm wondering it it might be a battery issue.

SO MY QUESTION is should you be kind enough to answer; White smoke..? Common for clogged fuel filter in a 7.3L Diesel just switched to Biodiesel?

 

No it's common for an engine burning water. Though I guess burning is not an accurate term. The water flashes to steam in the combustion chamber, and then the steam flows out with the exhaust. This leaves me with four guesses.

1.) The head/block is cracked, letting coolent into the intake.

2.) The head gasket is blown, letting coolent into the intake.

3.) If the turbos are water cooled, then one of them can be blown, letting coolent into the intake.

4.) There is water in your biodiesel.

Of the four I think that the fourth is most likely, as that's what you recently changed.

 

Drain your fuel bowl and do a "crackle test" on the fuel. That will tell you in a hurry if there is water in there... (this was a hint from Fabman, can't take the credit)
I had problems with water in the fuel also until I was talked into dry wash w/ Magnesol. 9 batches since w/o any water issues.

 

CAn you elaborate on the "crackle test"?

 

Sorry, put a small ammount in a pan and heat to over the boiling point of water, say 250 or so. any water suspended will crackle and splatter out. (don't have your face over it)

 

...so....heat my fuel on the stove until I hear and or see the water vaporize but make sure....I'm assuming....that I don't hit the 400-500 degree mark where diesel ignites???

 

I just use an empty tin can with just an inch or so of bio in the bottom of it and heat it up outside with a torch slowly until it starts to boil and if it ignites no big deal. If there's any water in there it will crackle and splatter.

 

I think the hot pan test is more accurate if you get the pan hot, and THEN put the bio or veg oil in the pan. Look for bubbles also, not just the crackle sound.