I have a different truck then in my sig (sold it). Now I have a 03 CTD. I saw a local gas station with 20% biodiesel mix and have heard that running this type of fuel is better since it will lubricrate better than ultra low sulfer diesel. I was wondering if it is safe to run since I dont have any mods done to the fuel system? Thanks

 

I run it off and on (advertised around here as 5-20% bio, so I usually top it off with 3/4 a tank so it dilutes a little with Dino-D). Makes the injectors quieter, must be good for them. Just remember to time your first tank with a fuel filter change, as it scrubs the system out.

 

Be prepared at least for a shut down. The bio WILL clean your fuel system...ANY and ALL dirt WILL be cleaned off and caught in the filter. Expect an additional filter change!!!

 

When I'm down in Houston traveling for work I'll stop in at Houston Biodiesel and top off.
http://www.houstonbiodiesel.com/

They sell Baldwin filters for only $14, so I stock up on those too while I'm there.

The guys there are great and know their stuff (they make their own Biodiesel that they use for their trucks, stuff at the pump is retail so don't worry). With my truck having 211k on it they just told me not to go above 50/50% mix for a few tanks. Every thing has been great, no issues. I've filled up in the past many times from Love's Truck Stops which most have 5% blend at the pump. I keep my filters changed though, about every oil change.

$2.29 gallon at Houston Biodiesel

 

Your not spouse to use it in common rail systems , the factory says not more than 20% .

 

the past few tanks i have been running lucas fuel treatment with the regular ULSD would the bio help more than this? thanks for the fast replies

 

Sal you can use the B20 that is commercially available with no problems. I have run all different amounts of bio in my truck including a few tanks of B99 and never had a fuel filter clog up. It's a good idea to carry a spare filter with you anyway though and I do, but never had to use it. Now Dodge will only warranty up to B5 so that may be a concern for you. I would also stay away from Joe Shmoe down the street that is making it unless you understand how to make it yourself and know that he is performing all the post production tests to assure quality. Commercially available stuff I would run any mix I came across. Last but not least, if you expect temps to fall below 45 degrees I would keep the mix below 20%. Bio will gel up at warmer temps then regular diesel. These are facts not hearsay.

 

I agree with the facts stated above, but I'll add 1 thing:
Bio has way less btu's than no.2

 

The Dodge manual says no more than 5% for warranty coverage. My truck has 211,000+ miles on it. Warranty coverage isn't of concern to me. They also don't condone burning WMO, ATF, Hydraulic fuild,or WVO.... but many do and do so without issue. I'd say biodiesel is by far the safest of these.

The place I go that has B100 pumps I see brand new 6.7 cummins, powerpokes, and dirtymaxs all common rail's. After striking up a conversation with these guys they often tell me they fill up once a week and the only time their trucks see ULSD is on out-of-town road trips.

 

Bio will help out way more than the lucas or about any other additive for that matter. There was a lubricity test done a couple years ago involving many different additives and by far biodiesel beat out everything, and they only tested B2. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=177728

I'm running B20 now and can say it does quieten the engine. My mileage didn't drop much at all. I have an Excel spreadsheet hand calculating the mileage since about the second fillup and honestly its not a large enough difference in mileage for me to attribute solely to the B20 mix having less BTU's. I might be getting about 0.5 miles less per gallon.

 

ok, good info! Perhaps having less btu's is somewhat offset by the greater lubricity, and for the price difference vs. mpg loss, it's probably worth it.

 

Heres link to check out and read. http://www.biodiesel.org I'm running B99 and the truck runs great there is a slight notice in power differance but not really. Now I have notice less mpgs this last tank but it may not be all the bio. Take some time and read this and make your own decision. http://www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/C...iesel_Fuel.pdf
They say B20 is fine with no I'll affect on seals and such. They also give you the chart for BTU's for all fuels Cetane rating for each. It's a great read and will help ease your mind and help you deside what you think is good for your truck.

 

hey thanks guys this is a a lot of helpful info

 

I agree with the above. I make home brew biodiesel and run it in my truck with no problems. I too have not had to change out a filter yet but I'm sure I need too or should do it regardless. My truck runs great on the home brew.

I also had a 2004 that I ran on it with great success. My wife has a 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD (Common Rail Diesel) that loves the stuff as well.

We are good to about 30 degrees and then I have to start mixing with regular diesel to be safe.

 

Cummins picks up the engine warranty on these engines when the Dodge portion warranty runs out. (it's in your owner's manual)

They say up to B20 is safe.
http://www.everytime.cummins.com/eve...iesel_faq.page