Bio diesel

deere755 · Nov 17, 2006

Is anyone using bio diesel? Are you having any problems with it. We have been using it in our trucks and we have had some real problems with plugged fuel filters. I have used it in my tractor with no problems so far. I have talked to 3 mechanics about the filter issue and they all ask the same question are you using bio diesel. If so stop. They say there is an alge that forms in bio diesel and it plugs filters and everything else for that matter. I looked at one of the filters the other day and there was a grime floating around in the filter. I also cut one open and it was stuck all over the lining. We have had to change filters in the trucks about every 3 to 4 thousand miles. I would really like to see this pan out so we are not so dependent on foreign oil but its not working for us.

Dallas_Lilly · Nov 17, 2006

What percentage of Bio are you running. It seems that anything over 20% seems to cause problems in colder weather. It also seems that the quality of bio is a major factor. http://nbb.grassroots.com/07Releases/advisory/

Even the people that have done their best to promote the use of bio have issued warnings for winter use.

RalphVa · Nov 17, 2006

A guy wrote an article in the Benz Star magazine a while back about his long-time use of bio diesel. He says you have to change out the fuel filter not long after starting to use it because it cleans stuff out of the fuel system that happily lived there with dino diesel. No problems with using more than 20%, even 100% if you don't do it in the winter.

Wish I could get it in the Charlottesville area. It's available over the mountain in Shenandoah Valley and east over near the refinery at West Point but not here.

Ralph

deere755 · Nov 18, 2006

We are using a 10% blend of bio diesel.

DieselPower · Nov 18, 2006

A local International/Navistar truck dealer I worked for at one time has been selling B10 at their pumps for many years now with no ill effect's to speak of. The only real problem you run into when you first start to run BioDiesel is the need to change the fuel filters more often. BioDiesel has a higher solvency than regular diesel and it tends to clean out years worth of junk in the fuel system which leads to filter plugging at first.

I have been making my own BioDiesel for a couple of years now using waste cooking oil. I run it full strength (B100). As long as I properly treat it with pour depresents in the winter I don't have any problems. The only engine I did have any problems with was a older 855 Cummins in a 1982 Peterbilt I have. The full strength BioDiesel destroyed the old rubber o-rings and I had a couple of leaks. Changed all the o-rings over to modern Viton composition o-rings and have not had a problem since.

As far as biological growth I have not seen any difference between regular diesel and BioDiesel. If you start to see the black stringy snot monsters in your fuel filter then you need to give your bulk tank a good shock treatment of biocide to kill them off.

gemini5362 · Nov 27, 2006

I read an article on the new Ultra Low sulfur diesel that is required for on road engines starting this year. One of the problems with the Ultra Low
Sulfur is that sulfur helps to lubricate the cylinders. I have a 2006 duramax diesel. I called my GM dealer and was told that it was made to run on the Ultra Low Sulfur diesel but that some of the older diesels might have to put an additive in their diesel. GM was still researching that. Has anyone else heard anything about this ?

MadReferee · Nov 27, 2006

ULSD meets or exceeds the current American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) specification for lubricity in diesel fuel. This is the same specification that has been in effect since January 2005 for the diesel fuel you have been running up until the introduction of ULSD. BTW the spec is ASTM D975. There should be no issues with lubricity.

According to the Clean Diesel Fuel Alliance, "Engine and vehicle manufacturers expect ULSD fuel to be fully compatible with the existing fleet, including 2006 and earlier model year vehicles. In some instances, the introduction of ULSD fuel to older vehicles may affect fuel system components or loosen deposits in fuel tanks. As part of a good maintenance program, owners and operators of existing cars, trucks and buses are encouraged to monitor their diesel-powered vehicles closely for potential fuel system leaks or premature fuel filter plugging during the change-over to ULSD fuel. "

There are plenty of incorrect rumors and old wives tales going around. Do a little research and you will see that they are all unfounded. If you are still skeptical then add some Power Service and sleep well at night.

Two good sources of information are the Checron Diesel FAQ and the Clean Diesel Fuel Alliance.

TrippleT · Nov 27, 2006

At the risk of being clobbered again, I have used some biodiesel. I was told by the manager of an oil company here that biodiesel would clean the tank, and for a few times might necessitate a new filter. I do know that when I started to remove my filter the oring that the filter slips over was swollen. IF, you have an older tractor with rubber orings it will swell those. How old is old? My tractor is a 2003. Supposedly, this is in the early 1990 era. New Holland, says you can use up to 20%. I went back to the dyed stuff, maybe a little paranoid, I began to wonder what was going on in the injection pump. If anyone wishes to disagree your welcome to do so.

gemini5362 · Nov 30, 2006

MadReferee said:
ULSD meets or exceeds the current American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) specification for lubricity in diesel fuel. This is the same specification that has been in effect since January 2005 for the diesel fuel you have been running up until the introduction of ULSD. BTW the spec is ASTM D975. There should be no issues with lubricity.

MadReferee if I understand what I read those standards are dependent on an additive being added to ULSD. There seemed to be some divsion on when to add it. If it is added to diesel going down the pipleline then there is some concerns about it affecting jet fuel. From what I read they have not decided whether it will be added locally at the local dealership or at the distribution center. Also was not one of the things that was decided was to hold off implementing the new ASTM D975 until 2007 to resolve the above issue ?

MadReferee · Dec 1, 2006

gemini5362 said:
MadReferee if I understand what I read those standards are dependent on an additive being added to ULSD. There seemed to be some divsion on when to add it. If it is added to diesel going down the pipleline then there is some concerns about it affecting jet fuel. From what I read they have not decided whether it will be added locally at the local dealership or at the distribution center. Also was not one of the things that was decided was to hold off implementing the new ASTM D975 until 2007 to resolve the above issue ?

Additives are required of the fuel industry to be added prior to distribution from the bulk distribution facility. I suppose this can be done either at the refinery or at the bulk distribution center at the rack (like it is for gasoline). It's not going to happen at the local dealership as controls are not in place to insure that it is done correctly.

I am not aware of the spec implementation issue you speak of and I can find no documentation that addresses it. The standard went into effect in January 2005. It was done this early to insure that no problems existed when ULSD showed up.