I run B20 whenever I can get by the semi-local pump. I still add Power Service Diesel Kleen to each tank out of habit. I have noticed a reduction in pump noise when running the B20 but haven't really been keeping track of mpg. There has not been a noticeable drop in mileage.

BTW - HEY, JACK!! The pump is only about 4 miles from your house.

The local municipality runs B20 in all of their firetrucks - every time I go by there to fill up there is a firetruck either leaving or arriving.

 

What's the long term outlook for biodiesel? Anybody know when we might be able to buy it at the pump?

I live in Colorado, and the only place I can buy biodiesel is in Boulder, which is about 300 miles from where I live.

Hope it becomes available in my area soon.

 

Redram - glad to hear you're sticking to it! I remember when we were talking about bio a while back and you were trying your first tank. I knew you'd be hooked on burnin the bean! 8) Good to hear the firetrucks are using it etc. Thats a significant amount of pollution reduction and gallons we didn't have to buy from the middle east.

 

Yep - have to deal with the wife's : whenever I mention it but that's OK - it's better for the P-pump and emissions and I like the idea of paying our farmers for their crop versus enriching some sheik's bottom line that much more.

As soon as I get my Leyland tractor back running again it will be on a B20 diet, too. Grow it, burn it. Full cycle.

 

Call me a skeptic...but i have a funny feeling about things that sound too good to be true. BUT it seems that this stuff is legit...only thing that was never mentioned was price...how much higer is it from regular diesel? Im sold....I called the Dallas distrib. (Peter is his name i think) but he wasnt in. BUT left my number and he should call back....i will post what he said when he does. here is the bad (if you want to call them that) stuff that Bio-D causes....got it off the Dallas web page that was hyperlinked.......

"Are there any problems using BioDiesel?

Biodiesel, over time, will soften and degrade certain types of elastomers and natural rubber compounds used in older fuel hoses and pump seal systems. Precautions are needed when using high percent blends to ensure that the existing fueling system on older engines do not contain elastomer compounds incompatible with Biodiesel. Manufacturers recommend that natural or butyl rubbers not be allowed to come in contact with neat BoDiesel otherwise they turn sticky and fall apart. Most vehicles made after 1994 will have fully synthetic fuel lines and seals so will not suffer from this problem, but older vehicles need to be monitored.

Biodiesel will clean your injectors and fuel lines extremely well as it is such an excellent solvent. If you have an old diesel vehicle, there is a chance that your first tank or two of Biodiesel could free up all the accumulated crud and clog your fuel lines. First time bunkering you need to be aware that Biodiesel has a solvent effect which may release deposits accumulated on tank walls and pipes from previous fuel storage. The release of deposits may clog filters initially and precautions should be taken as the tanks are cleaned out by the Biodiesel.

Biodiesel has a higher gel point. 100% Biodiesel, referred to as B100, gets slushy at 32°F. A blend of 20% Biodiesel, 80% regular diesel, B20, has a gel point of 7°F. Like regular diesel, the gel point can be lowered further with additives such as kerosene, which are blended into winter diesel in cold-weather areas."

Well you know.....Diesels are too good to be true in their own right.....Great power with good milage.......untill they brake!!!hahahahaha

 

I've been running B20 in mine for a few months now. The local pump is about 15 minutes from work. Thankfully, the great state of North Carolina is picking up the cost differential at this pump so the cost is the same as regular diesel (about $1.45 to $1.48 per gallon).

The CTD runs the same with only a modest reduction in mileage (about 0.5 to 1 mpg). Haven't run it in the Mog yet. I need to get a couple of extra fuel filters on hand before I do. 36 yrs of crap is going to break loose.

 

Talked to Peter. He Said the cost here in Dallas is some where in the ballpark of $2.30ish/gal......yeah...ill be mixing it with regualr! None of this b100 Bull :-X! haha....but he did say that people are peeing in the wind when they try to use B100 to clean their system. He said the B20 mix shold do just find...any more is just extra. Also said that you gain some performance at a B20.....but i think he ment B5. Said it has lower BTU's so B100 would lower power and milage output slightly...but other than that...im game. Im going to try to get my 5-10 gallons maybe tom. We will see. ALSO he did say that if any in the Dallas area need Bio....he just got a portable Tank for the back of his....well...er....Jeep

 

[quote author=Mudinford link=board=8;threadid=23770;start=15#msg225438 date=1071710723]
Talked to Peter. He Said the cost here in Dallas is some where in the ballpark of $2.30ish/gal......yeah...ill be mixing it with regualr! None of this b100 Bull :-X! haha....but he did say that people are peeing in the wind when they try to use B100 to clean their system. He said the B20 mix shold do just find...any more is just extra. Also said that you gain some performance at a B20.....but i think he ment B5. Said it has lower BTU's so B100 would lower power and milage output slightly...but other than that...im game. Im going to try to get my 5-10 gallons maybe tom. We will see. ALSO he did say that if any in the Dallas area need Bio....he just got a portable Tank for the back of his....well...er....Jeep
[/quote]

Well, thats a pretty good price. As far as B20 and B100 having the same cleaning abilities, muhahaha x10, peter clearly doesnt have much bio experience. It also doesn't add any power per say. Bio has higher cetane so it burns more completely and will lead to easier starts, but the lower btu in any blend will proportionately lower mileage. At b20 the loss is so minimal it's not really noticeable. When you make your trip, take a bunch of gas cans to fill with b100, and make your trip worthwhile. After your first tank of b20 you'll be hooked..

 

Well dang it all...i am going to get my first few gallons of the stuff tom morn...or prob as most of yall are reading this. Ill post my reactions when noted.

 

[quote author=NC_Mog link=board=8;threadid=23770;start=15#msg225379 date=1071707108]
I've been running B20 in mine for a few months now. The local pump is about 15 minutes from work. Thankfully, the great state of North Carolina is picking up the cost differential at this pump so the cost is the same as regular diesel (about $1.45 to $1.48 per gallon).

The CTD runs the same with only a modest reduction in mileage (about 0.5 to 1 mpg). Haven't run it in the Mog yet. I need to get a couple of extra fuel filters on hand before I do. 36 yrs of crap is going to break loose.
[/quote]




Where around Raleigh is the Bio pump? And what kind of hours do they have? I go through all the time when we go to the OBX and have wanted to try some Bio in the CTD and the wifes TDI.

 

Its a BP station at the intersection of Hwy 70 and 50 in Garner. Get off the beltline going south on hwy 70. A few miles down will be the exit for Hwy 50, turn right and the BP is almost immediately on your left. Only one pump w/ one nozzle.

 

My take on this whole situation.

I am not close to a pump station that has B20, much less any bio!

SO, I could take my 500 gal diesel tank down to the Local Distributor (50-75 miles from me), and get it filled up with B100. And every time I fill up with diesel at the gas station, I could mix it myself. 20 gal diesel, 5 gal b100 = b20.

am I right on here? or off base?
Is this cost effective? Is anyone doing this?

 

Palmetto, tons of people are doing it that way. Most wish they had a 500 gal tank to hold bio in, you can be sure of that!! I have three fifty five gal drums in my garage usually at a time, and do the same thing...dump in a few gallons and then go fill all the way up with reg diesel. Go for it! ALso when you buy in that much bulk, you will get a much cheaper price for the fuel - and also have the option of delivery if you choose.

 

[quote author=Lightman link=board=8;threadid=23770;start=15#msg225792 date=1071762683]
Palmetto, tons of people are doing it that way. Most wish they had a 500 gal tank to hold bio in, you can be sure of that!! I have three fifty five gal drums in my garage usually at a time, and do the same thing...dump in a few gallons and then go fill all the way up with reg diesel. Go for it! ALso when you buy in that much bulk, you will get a much cheaper price for the fuel - and also have the option of delivery if you choose.
[/quote]

Really? I wonder if they will deliver? we have a big tank that we have filled with off road diesel for our tractors, and I wonder if that company we buy from sells bio? IM gonna call and ask.

I wonder if buying in bulk will beat out the price of reg. diesel? I am seriously thinking about this.
Will it hurt the BIO to sit in the tank for awile? I mean, if it takes 5 gals. bio per tank, 500, or even 250 gallons would last awile. wouild it hurt for the bio to sit, say mabye 6 months?

edit: Just got off the phone with my local distributor, and she didnt even know what bio-diesel was. Ill call someone else.

 

Just got my first 17 gals of the stuff. Weird..kinda like Veggie oil. Doesn't foam either. Also am testing the biodegradability of it right in the back of my pickup since some one.....ahem....forgot to put the cotton pick’n lid back on his container........that sucker did some sliding around after that stuff hit the bed! Needless to say it got tied up real quick and the cap was reaffixed.....@ $2.49 a gallon, I gona use all i can milk out of the barrel! If any are interested in the far North Texas area….i go down to Dallas quite often...i would be willing to pick up some on a trip….let me know. Hey Palmetto Kid......It may be worth your while to take a day trip to fill up on the stuff if you are having a hard time finding anything around the Houston area. The guy is real nice and has a 500 gal tank behind his shop. I know he could hook you up. Let me know if you want his direct number. He may know someone around where your at. Im out....