Bio Diesel VS Diesel

[diazr2]

Just finished a 3500 mile trip across some of the most beautiful and rugged roads in the lower 48. Colorado Utah Arizona Idaho California and Oregon. Spent a month and a half on the road and came away with some very interesting data. I have read here about Bio fuels and how they don't have the bang for your buck as does just normal fuels. Well I no longer need to think about it. I did my own study and found that 20% bio Diesel has much less bang for your buck 10%bio Diesel had about the same as 20 and 5% is just as good as 10. Over some of the most grueling roads in the country I got 12.8 miles to the gallon with Diesel. Using Bio Diesel and some what less grueling roads that changed to 9.3. Wow was all I could say. The Diesel with no additives was normally cheaper as well. I have a 2001 7.3 Ford which has no limitations on how much % of Bio fuels I use. Why I do believe I could use kerosene in it and it wouldn't care one bit.I pull a 8000lb fifth wheel. I must admit the Bio fuels have been weighed and measured and have been found wanting, in power and millage. So now I know.

[coolbreeze01]

GoPackGo wrote:
My 2013 F350 seems to run quieter on Biodoesel too. Don't know why.

Me either ..................

[GoPackGo]

My 2013 F350 seems to run quieter on Biodoesel too. Don't know why.

[John___Angela]

We don't notice a difference in power in our smart cars when running bio-diesel but they are considerably quieter...for whatever reason. Not a mechanic.

[12th_Man_Fan]

I too suspect other factors such as wind and incline has had more affect than the bio diesel. I am in the middle of a similar trip to wy,mt,id,ut,and Co. and I have not used any biodiesel that I am aware of and my fuel economy has fluctuated between 9 and 12 mpg. due to climbing, coasting or head winds.

[N-Trouble]

I routinely switch between ULSD and B20 in my 2012 Duramax. Notice no difference in power, mileage or regens. Other than the truck running quieter due to the beneficial lubricating properties of B20 I notice no difference. Cost the same or less than ULSD where I live.

[john_bet]

Locally a lot of school bus owners(private owners) use bio diesel. If it was a mileage killer they would not use it as it would be a money looser for them. They operate on thin margins as it is.

[valhalla360]

As someone else said, the math doesn't work. Something else was going on. You are showing upwards of a 30% loss in efficency with only 20% biodiesel.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

There is only about a 2% difference in BTU's between #2 diesel and 20% bio. That's about 1 1/3 of a mile/ gallon difference.

Your loss in mileage had to do with other things than Bio.

[Cummins12V98]

Read the signs, most say "UP TO" that does NOT mean there is that amount.

[jus2shy]

If you bought any diesel in Oregon and Washington, it's guaranteed to have some degree of Biodiesel in it. Up to B5, they don't have to post the Bio diesel content.

[naturist]

I've used various blends of biodiesel over the years with a couple vehicles, and while I have not noted performance issues like you have, I also haven't been looking for them. It should be noted that it is well known that FAMEs (i.e., the usual biodiesel) have about 10% less energy per gallon than petrodiesel, so a performance hit could be expected at higher blends.

But there is one big benefit to biodiesel: lubricity. There was a Canadian study a few years ago that found that as little as 1/2% biodiesel had a significant reduction in iron wear particles in the engine oil, cutting them by as much as half. This effect seemed to peak in the 1-2% range, however. So if you are concerned about possible wear issues with ULSD, a percent or so of biodiesel is one of the best additives available.

It should also be noted that currently available biodiesels are just the first generation of the fuel. There are other equally renewable alternatives being researched. So stay tuned for further developments.

[edatlanta]

I see a similar situation when using 20% bio in my truck towing or not. I avoid it whenever possible.