dodgezilla04

there is a local station that just started offering bio. I dont know the price or the blend. What is the max blend that can be safely ran in a 600?

I am tired of giving the middle east and the big companies all of this money. I'd rather pay the farmers to make it for me. If I can only run 5%, that is 5% less being used and less money going to the greedy.

01350banshee

dz04,
Where is it located it? Whats the cost per gallon?

bigblock2stroke

B5 is the max approved by Cummins at this time.

B20 is coming.

Strjock81

The high volume local truck stop I currently fill up at regularly uses eleven percent biodiesel during warm weather. In IL there is a tax break when you go above ten percent so they are taking advantage of that to keep their prices in line with everyone else. I have had no problems running it now either in our TDI Jetta nor in my "600" Cummins for several thousands of miles on each vehicle. The only differences I note have been a somewhat less noisy engine when idling and when cold, less smoke at startup, and *maybe* slightly reduced MPGs. I don't notice it much at all on the Cummins but I think the Jetta has trended roughly 2 MPGs lower with the eleven percent bio. Bear in mind this is only about 4% decrease, so you might see like a half a percent slip with the Dodge maybe. I haven't been running additives for lubricity with the biodiesel because I don't really think it needs it lubricitywise, and I don't have to worry about diesel additives making their way to my oil and attacking my bearings as it is known to do, primarily when engine operation allows for poor fuel combustion, i.e. cold temps, idling, etc. (See bobistheoilguy.com for details on that) So maybe some of the lost MPGs comes from lack of additive use but I am more banking on the lower BTU content of the bio itself contributing.

I have heard that 2% blends may actually see mileage improvements due to added lubricity and cetane, etc. and the lower BTU content is more than offset at this mixture. When you get to eleven percent mixture, lower BTU content then outweighs the added effect of lubricity and cetane on overall mileage resulting in slightly lower MPGs.

To me the added lubricity and supporting the use of an American grown fuel are well worth the slughtly reduced mileage. I farm and despite the prevailing opinion on internet message boards that farmers are rich off subsidies paid with their taxes, I can assure you that with the price of inputs up 35% in the last 3 years and crop prices the same or down, it is not a pretty picture.

silver_goat

There is a station near me that just started offering "Bio Willie". This is the B20 blend marketed by Willie Nelson. Filled my half full tank with this B20 to give it a try. It was about .12 higher than #2 but thought I would give it a shot. Seems to run ok but have only run about 50 miles or so with it. Time will tell.

Have heard of others running B100 but I do not think that B20 should be an issue with the Cummins 610. Going to try it in the wife Liberty CRD at some point.

walt_mink

dodgezilla04 - find out who is making the fuel - I have extensive experience running bio from all over the Puget Sound. I've run up to B100 with no problems other than a clogged fuel filter. I would tell you to keep it under B50 unless you really get into it.

Walt_Mink

dodgezilla04

I heard about a station on bainbridge island near the ferry terminal. I did a google search and came up with this

P.O. Box 10202
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Nick Rohrbach
206) 963-3835
B100
www.imagine-energy.com

the web address tells nothing, I am going to have to call tomorrow.
I'll let you know Jackson.

01350banshee

Thanks.

walt_mink

Looks like he forgot to re-register his domain name - d'oh! I've bought fuel from them before (they're on the right as you exit the ferry), but only five gallons as that's all the room I had left (I try to support Bio whenever I see it). So, I guess I have nothing good or bad to say about them. On the other hand, my truck didn't catch fire, or explode, or anything - so I guess thats good!

Walt_Mink

dodgezilla04

when did you buy it there? had a friend look for it sunday, he said he saw the sign, but where the pumps were, there was a latte stand. tried calling the phone number this morning, got someone's personal home answering machine. I will have to take a ride up there i suppose

01350banshee

Go figure...... Must have gotten run off by the B.I. snobs... latte stand.

walt_mink

It's been about a year now. I drove by on Saturday afternoon, but I didn't pay much attention (had a truck full of in-laws). Biodiesel.org has this listing:

Quality Auto Service
220 Olympic Drive SE
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
mailto:steverecchi@mac.com

You might drop an email to this fellow and see what the deal is.

topless

I've been running a bio additive for about 2 months now. (I think it's just B100, but the container says additive) I mix in 2 quarts per 25 gal and I get 1-2 mpg better even with #1. I think it will do better when I get to use #2.
The engine seems smoother and the exhaust with #1 definately smells better.
There aren't any public stations around here selling bio-diesel, so this is the best I can do, for now. The biggest pain is carrying the stuff with me. 2qts costs $2.50.

dodgezilla04

found them on the net whitepages. (206) 780-8088

it is B99, $3.40 a gallon, no tax. A bit too much to run in a 600 I think, but for you earlier fellas.

dodgezilla04

however, I could always start with 3/4 of a tank and top it off with B99, then slowly add more bio as I get the feel of it. truck is now at 3/4 tank, maybe try it this week.