Biodiesel being used
I noticed that the Flying J I visited last week had posted on the pump that it contains 20% biodiesel. I don't think its a problem but has anyone experienced problems such as hard starting or other?
Forum Discussion
GM 2011 truck with LML engine which is the first year that GM says is OK to use B20 as it has a special fuel heater to minimize gelling problems with biodiesel.
This is straight from the GM owners manual for the Duramax:
Biodiesel fuel quality degrades with time and exposure to high temperature much more quickly than conventional diesel fuel. Biodiesel gels sooner than conventional diesel fuel at cold temperature, and biodiesel fuel requires proper blending for winter time operation. Fuels improperly blended for cold temperature operation may result in restricted fuel filters and degraded vehicle performance.
Your vehicle is equipped with a fuel heating system to provide a level of protection against filter plugging from gelling (waxing) of conventional diesel fuel and biodiesel blends. However, the system will not prevent all cases of plugged filters if the operating temperature is far below the temperature at which gelling or waxing of the fuel occurs (cloud point). Use of biodiesel blends greater than B5 (5% blend) should be avoided in cold temperatures.
Vehicles operated for extended periods of time on conventional diesel fuel and then switched to biodiesel blends may experience premature fuel filter clogging and require more frequent fuel filter service.
With long term use of conventional diesel fuel, gum and varnish may be deposited within the tank and fuel system. These deposits, while not problematic with the use of conventional diesel fuel, may become loosened with a sudden switch to biodiesel blends and cause fuel filter plugging.
This vehicle is equipped with a fuel filter restriction monitoring system that will alert you if the fuel filter requires service, but it will not prevent damage caused by poor quality biodiesel.
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After reading that I knew that I was not going to put B20 in my truck's fuel tank.
Fortunately the feds are standing up to the big corn corporations with regard to ethanol which has been increasing in percentage of a gallon of gas over the years as the volume of gas being consumed has gone down with more fuel efficient cars and trucks but the same amount of ethanol was having to be consumed. Not great for cars and terrible for boat engines. One can hope that this will spread to biodiesel as well as their is no environmental benefit to B20.
This is straight from the GM owners manual for the Duramax:
Biodiesel fuel quality degrades with time and exposure to high temperature much more quickly than conventional diesel fuel. Biodiesel gels sooner than conventional diesel fuel at cold temperature, and biodiesel fuel requires proper blending for winter time operation. Fuels improperly blended for cold temperature operation may result in restricted fuel filters and degraded vehicle performance.
Your vehicle is equipped with a fuel heating system to provide a level of protection against filter plugging from gelling (waxing) of conventional diesel fuel and biodiesel blends. However, the system will not prevent all cases of plugged filters if the operating temperature is far below the temperature at which gelling or waxing of the fuel occurs (cloud point). Use of biodiesel blends greater than B5 (5% blend) should be avoided in cold temperatures.
Vehicles operated for extended periods of time on conventional diesel fuel and then switched to biodiesel blends may experience premature fuel filter clogging and require more frequent fuel filter service.
With long term use of conventional diesel fuel, gum and varnish may be deposited within the tank and fuel system. These deposits, while not problematic with the use of conventional diesel fuel, may become loosened with a sudden switch to biodiesel blends and cause fuel filter plugging.
This vehicle is equipped with a fuel filter restriction monitoring system that will alert you if the fuel filter requires service, but it will not prevent damage caused by poor quality biodiesel.
-----
After reading that I knew that I was not going to put B20 in my truck's fuel tank.
Fortunately the feds are standing up to the big corn corporations with regard to ethanol which has been increasing in percentage of a gallon of gas over the years as the volume of gas being consumed has gone down with more fuel efficient cars and trucks but the same amount of ethanol was having to be consumed. Not great for cars and terrible for boat engines. One can hope that this will spread to biodiesel as well as their is no environmental benefit to B20.
