bio-deisel question??

[oldrndrt]

i have a f-350 turbo 7.3 dually.. what is so great about bio-deisel fuel?? do i have to do anything to the engine to run it?? is it cheaper in price than deisel fuel?? thanks oldr-n- drt

[Dave Schultz]

You don't have to do anything with the newer diesel engine trucks -- the older engines need to upgrade some lines and hoses.

I've only used it once (many years ago) -- from Willie Nelson's place on I-35. My Ford F350 ran well on it. It cost the same then -- but I don't know if it is more now. You hear less and less about bio-diesel in the last few years. Places like McDonalds and KFC sell their used up frying oil -- and for a while there was a big theft problem of that oil at fast food places.

I think like wind and solar electricity -- there just isn't and economical way to make Bio-Diesel as cheap as the Low Sulfur diesel for $4 a gallon.

[oldrndrt]

dave.. mine is a 1995 model.. does it have to be updated to run it?? any site that will explane it better?? oldr-n-drt

[fastdiesel]

Gotta be very careful about what/where you buy.

Must meet the ASTM 6751-11 spec (good luck when asking if fuel meets a spec, and what spec).

Don't go over B10 (some places start at B12), that's 10% soybean and 90% diesel.

Buy ONLY at a station that has a high turnover. The bio starts breaking down in about a month. Just remember what spoiled grease looks (and smells) like! UGH! Your fuel system and wallet won't like it either.

Change fuel filters after the first tank or so. Bio is a super cleaning agent. Tank, lines, everything gets a cleaning....and it ends up in the filters (filters doing what they are supposed to do).

The old, rubber parts of your fuel system will deteriorate faster with Bio. They will get squishy and soft faster (leak).

I've used some B12 a few times when traveling through IL. State mandates a Bio blend, so their farmers sell more crops (stupid politics!). No ill effects. No noticeable change in performance, economy, smoke, nothing.

This issue is another political issue that is heavily "spun".

Like ethanol, it takes more energy (and pollutes more) to produce bio than it saves when burning as a fuel. Think about how much fuel is consumed from the seed in the warehouse, throughout the entire farming process, energy to convert to oil, then to the tank! It's mind boggling! The only process that takes more energy than producing bio, is the process to make diesel "Ultra Low Sulfur". All for the sake of "lowering" pollution. Need to take into account the whole process. And don't get me started on what it takes to make Urea, Diesel Exhaust Fluid, used in the 2011 trucks. What a waste of energy....HOW STEEEEEEUPID!

Bio actually emits more Oxides of Nitrogen pollution, than Diesel (not much, but more). All other pollutants are reduced (see disclaimer on "production" pollution!).

BTU (energy content) of bio is lower than Diesel. Less power and lower fuel economy than diesel. Reduction in power/economy depends on blend concentration.

Does it make sense to use Bio? From a "reducing dependence of foreign oil" standpoint - YES! (although this would be a moot point, if the stupid democrats would just let us drill more US oil wells!).

Reducing pollution - Pollutes MORE, when figuring "production" pollution.

As far as any other reason to use Bio.... Makes absolutely no sense.

And NEVER use FRENCH FRY OIL!!!!!!!! I'll get slammed from all the "fryers", but I do diesels for a living. I see the down side of using fry oil all the time. It's not pretty or cheap!

My "professional" take....... you asked for it!

[oldrndrt]

thanks fastdiesel...you told me all i needed to know...oldr-n-drt

[fastdiesel]

Up to 10% addition of CLEAN motor oil or trans fluid is OK. MUST be filtered to 10 microns or less and CAN NOT be burned, dirty, contaminated.

I use some from time to time, if I have to go into a fresh engine/trans (changing pans on a fresh rebuild, changing fluid for someone who over services their trans, etc), but only after filtering.

Never use hyd oil, gear lube, etc.