Is it safe to run in the common rail? I have a 03. I was always under the idea that it is safe? But I was reading in the fuel section of this forum and one guy was saying that it is not. Im talking about b80 or b100, when the weather is warm of course. I would like to make my own, but have not done anything about it yet except read a lot about it.

 

Buddy of mine has run b100 in his 03 for several tanks. He was making his own at the time. He has stopped only because he does not drive it enough and was tired of the mess it made while brewing the bio. And he was sick of changing the fuel filters on the side of the road whilt it was cleaning everything out!! He did say if he starts to drive it more (traveling) he would brew more and run b50 or so.

 

I've never had a problem in my 06 when I used to run b100 (ran about 5 or 6 tanks) other than the fuel filters getting clogged fast due to the solvant effect of bio. I wish I could still find b100 in the summer

 

Here is a quote from a Dodge TSB regarding fuel for the 06:

- A maximum blend of 5% biodiesel (B5) is acceptable as long as the biodiesel mixture
meets ASTM specification D-975, D-975 - grade S-15, and ASTM D6751. A biodiesel fuel
blend that is higher than 5% is not acceptable without additional fuel processing because
these higher percentage biodiesel blends contain excess amounts of moisture which exceed
the water stripping capability of the on-engine final fuel filter. Should a higher percentage
biodiesel fuels be used an auxiliary water stripping filter will be required.

- A maximum blend of 20% biodiesel (B20) can be used by government, military, and
commercial fleets who equip their vehicle(s) with an optional water separator, and adhere
to the guidelines in the Department of Defense specification A-A-59693 (in addition to:
ASTM specification D-975, D-975 - grade S-15 and ASTM D6751)

 

I look at it , that especially with newer trucks , both because of the higher value & there is stories about problems with newer fuel system [ common rail ] having issues [ polymerizing bio-diesel less so & WVO/SVO much more so ] .
Its relatively new with the newer fuel systems , let the bugs settle out & proof that there is not a problem , I know some that there jobs are building the commercial plants here & overseas , they are having problems with control/consistency [ new to them also ] .
A few tanks or even a few yrs do not mean much , these engines are spouse to be good for at least 500,000 miles , so if something goes wrong at 200,000 , its to late .
Just a word of caution , better safe than sorry .

 

I'm glad you posted this and think it's a must read if anyone plans on using more then 5% Bio.