Just got a tank of B10 for the first time. Cruising at 60 I typically run about 500 degrees, with the B10 I'm running a solid 900 degrees. Climbing the hill to my house I usually run 800 degress, with the B10 solid 1100 degrees. I've also noticed I smoke alot more, constant thick black both idling and under load. Is this normal or should I be nervous?

 

How's your boost? Is it low? I've run 20-30% bio before, and never noticed any increase in EGT's or smoke, so I'm gonna guess its another issue, just coincidence. First thing I'd guess at would be a boost leak. Maybe your timing slipped? You could drain out your tank and refill it with reg #2, and see if it goes away.

 

It's not the fuel....

If the fuel was that bad, the truck wouldn't run right.

Even B100 won't make that big a difference-- B10 is almost imperceptible because the blend is so weak.

jh

 

I agree...not the B10.
I have run B20 for the last 20,000 miles. I get less smoke, no change in EGT's and a slight drop in mileage with an additive. W/O the additive... a solid 1 mpg less!

RJ

 

Either what you've got isn't proper #2 mixed with proper biodiesel but some kind of junk (I wouldn't know what it should be but nevertheless it is possible) that leads to these problems or you have some other issue like a blown intercooler boot or slipped timing etc.
To rule out the fuel as the source for the troubles I'd empty the tank and try it with straight #2.
I've more than 100 k miles with mostly bio over 80% and I do see slightly lower EGTs when running high bio ratios over #2. Smoke is also a wee bit less with bio, but power is also down a slight bit, and I lose between 5 and 10% on fuel mileage.

AlpineRAM

 

I'm at less than 1/2 tank, other than the EGT's and smoke I haven't noticed anything weird. Runs the same, idles the same, starts the same. With this in mind I'm going to run the tank down below 1/4 (first time ever!) and fill with normal ULSD. The only thing I have been told is that Bio acts as a "solvent" so I need to change the fuel filter after this tank. Wondering if maybe the high EGT's and smoke are the remains of 169,000 miles of buildup getting cleaned out. Just a thought, grasping at straws. I'll need fuel Mon morn so I'll post the results Mon night.

 

Smoke possible (but I doubt it)...EGT's not likely. I started using B20 at 100,000 miles and watch FP to see is filter got loaded up. It hasn't so far. I believe that warning applies more to those using B50 and above.

I would look elsewhere for high egt's. More likely lack of air somewhere. my .02

RJ

 

Very interesting results. Ran into town, 65 miles averaging 75MPH. Smoked like a train for the first 30 miles and smoke abruptly stopped and EGT's dropped from 1000 to 600. No difference in power or RPM's and boost stayed at 14lbs solid. I only noticed it because I had cruise on and was looking around. Back to #2 since B10 is $2.95 gal and #2 is $2.92 gal, no change in EGT's, smoke or boost on the #2. When B10 gets below #2 again I will try it again and see what happens.