I was out for a ride tonight and noticed that a Co-op gas station in the next town caries Soy diesel. It is tha same price as regular fuel everywhere else ($1.85/ gal). I was wondering if there is any benifits to running this or any drawbacks. I wouldent mind running a few tanks threw it to see if it efects milage any but I am not shure if there are any reasons not to. Thanks.

 

yeah. the bio diesel from the station is safe. ive been runnin the home brew in the older dodge for a while (99) kinda thinkin about doing it in the new 600 but not quite sure if im up for that yet.

 

Carry an extra fuel filter with you. Biodiesel blends, even as low as B2 (2%) are excellent solvents, cleaning out the deposits and crud in your fuel system. Biodiesel is also good at deteriorating natural rubber, like older rubber hoses and seals. Your 04.5 would be fine -- the hoses and seals are already upgraded for biodiesel. The lubricity is much better, so your pumps should last much longer, and the injectors too. I say use it if its the same price or even slightly higher, since I hear such good things about it.

 

Is it 100% biodiesel (B100)? Is it a blended diesel (like B2 which is 2% biodiesel)? Who supplies the biodiesel?

If it's 100% then I would be cautious. I've ran 100% in my VW, but it's an older style, lower pressure injection system. If it's 2% then it should not be a problem.

I've been buying straight biodiesel from my local coop and mixing my own blends for the past 3 years. They get their biodiesel from Ralston, IA, which is one of the largest producers of ASTM certified biodiesel in the nation. If the biodiesel is not of good quality it can cause problems even at 2% ratios (of course, poor quality diesel of any origin can cause problems). Check and see who their supplier of biodiesel is and make certain it's a reputable source.

 

Just for the record, it is B20, 20% that get sold at stations, NOT B2 2%.

 

Actually, it can vary. Here in Iowa most places that have pumps with biodiesel available are 2%, or B2 (although there are a few that have B20). Specifically, the Amoco in Vinton off of interstate 380 has B2 at the pump, and the Coop where I buy my bulk B100 has around 1-2% biodiesel as part of their additive package they add to their pump diesel. You can go to www.biodiesel.org and check for availability of biodiesel pumps in your state.

Minnesota is soon mandating that all diesel sold in that state will be B2. I believe they have to wait for there to be enough processing capacity in the state before the law takes affect.

 

Can't wait for Bio to become available in my area!!!!

 

In my 04 Owners manual page 267 under Fuel Specification it states

"organically blended diesel fuels (e.g. Biodiesel, ethanol, and methanol blends) are not recommended or approved for use with the Cummins Diesel equipped Dodge RAM Truck"

So this could impact/negate warranty.

 

I thought about bio as well, however like AaronT the whole not recommended or approved statement changed my mine on Bio.

 

I've read that in the manual as well. It's interesting that the official Cummins positions is that blends up to 5% are OK.

http://www.cummins.com/na/pages/en/c...F080C4A8F00000

"Given the current industry understanding of bio fuels and blending with quality diesel fuel, it would be expected that blending up to a 5% volume concentration should not cause serious problems. For customers intent on blending bio fuels above a 5% volume concentration, the following concerns represent what is currently known in the industry. Concentrations beyond 5% by volume could have an adverse effect on the engine's performance and the fuel system integrity/durability. The affects are more serious with increasing concentration levels. "

Bosch (the company that makes our injectors and injector pump) is also OK with 5% levels.

http://www.arb.ca.gov/fuels/diesel/a...mccormick2.pdf
(see second to the last page)

It's also interesting that most gasoline engine makers are OK with ethanol blends up to only 5%. However, in Iowa we have 10% blends available at virtually all pumps and there are no warranty issues that I'm aware of. States like Minnesotta (and possibly Iowa) will soon be mandating B2 in all diesel.

 

Have you actually run biodiesel? That warning about fuel filter clogging is aimed at those folks with extremely old vehicles, such as trying to run b100 in an old 80's benz diesel, old farm equipment etc. STILL I've never heard of any fuel filter clogging from commercially purchased bio.

I ran 100% biodiesel in my 2002 jetta for 35,000 miles straight (screw foreign oil!) with zero problems or leaks or clogged filters. I have run b20 in my mercedes since 2001 with no problems. I have been running b20 in my Cummins since it was new, now have 24k. Yup, no problems. All are quieter and smoother with the b20. Go for it BKRUKOW!! Great price too. Let us know how you like it.

 

I too run B20 in my '03 exclusively when around town. Have been doing it for around 20k so far with zero problems. Go for it.