realsquash

It came from the site listed on this thread, http://www.cummins.com/sa/pages/en/c...F080C4A8F00000

It's decent reading, this quote is from about the bottom of the "2nd" page, at least in my broswer.

Andy

Lightman

Realsquash, any cummins statement on bio I've read is now reasonably outdated. You must also recognize that these are NOT TECHS writing these articles about biodiesel from Cummins. While it may sound like techs wrote it, the reality is that the lawyers have the final say, and manufacturers' statements about relatively untested alternative fuels or other aftermarket products, are scripted in a cover your a$$ posture. It all comes down to $ and legal liability.

In any case, you say b5 is the same as running crappy #2 to the Cummins, which is not true. Quality ASTM biodiesel even at 5% will greatly increase the fuel's lubricity, reduce emissions, and will also boost cetane. It's interesting to note that every Jeep Liberty CRD comes from the factory with b5 in the tank. I saw my first CRD on the road yesterday, they are pretty darn quiet!

realsquash

Lightman,

I'm with you, I've read enough about it over the past couple years that I'm not worried about running even B100 (in the summer). But that link is to the FAQ on Cummins' site. It's the first place anyone is going to look for bio info on the net, for their Cummins.

Andy

Lightman

I hear ya realsquash - I just hope some of them take manufactuers' statements with a grain of salt.

You are braver than I - I've yet to try b100 in my Cummins and don't see doing it in the near future. I guess it takes a bunch of guys like you that are willing to try it before there's enough of a track record for chicken-shoots like me to try it I did run 35k worth of b100 in my tdi, but was far from the first! Plus the cost of b100 these days makes it totally unrealistic to run, unless it was homebrew..

ckennedy

Lightman

I aggree on the lawyer (BS) ! Anything and everything these days in big business and $$$ has cover my a$$$ lawyers stamped on it!

realsquash

Well the last I read the B100 pump in Batavia, IL was at $2.98/gal. I passed a couple stations today on the way to work where #2 was $2.96/gal so it's time for me to at least try it. Batavia is 2 hours away from me, so it's more of a novelty at this point. There is a station a lot closer, but still not close, that has B11 for $2.56/gal.

Andy

Childofthewind

Everything Lightman said

I did lots of research before I picked up my '05. My 2nd tank was B5, and B20 after that. I am very comfortable running these levels and I will probably run up to B50 at times. Though I don't think B100 would be a problem (all this is temperature dependent) I want to see more history in these engines before I do that.

The Engine Manufactures Association said in Feb '03;

"Based on current understanding of biodiesel fuels and blending with petroleumbased
diesel fuel, EMA members expect that blends up to a maximum of B5 should not
cause engine or fuel system problems, provided the B100 used in the blend meets the
requirements of ASTM D 6751, DIN 51606, or EN 14214. If blends exceeding B5 are
desired, vehicle owners and operators should consult their engine manufacturer
regarding the implications of using such fuel."

I think most of the potential issues that are listed by Cummins were on old vehicles with lower quality bubber components, or with pre ASTM spec fuel.

dhmeltz

Hi all,

Here's some interesting reading about how Berkeley CA ran 100% biodiesel in all their city trucks for two years and then backed away from the program:

http://www.mindfully.org/Energy/2005...ley18mar05.htm

Cheers

realsquash

That is a pretty spiffy article. The gist of it was the city claims it got dirty/moldy fuel from their supplier after a year with no problems, the supplier says they might have water contamination in their tanks, promoting the mold and algae. That was with B100. Interesting.

Andy

ckennedy

everyone

**** check the post I listed on a cummins 04 converted to run SVO (streight Veg. oil)