Diesel Fuel

[The_Works]

Its late and I don't feel like conducting a web search for an answer so I'm going to ask my fellow diesel owners a fuel question. I purchased a 2011 Chevy Silverado 3500HD 6.6L diesel in South Carolina. Since then I've used the Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel(ULSD) fuel which is clearly marked on the fuel pump. We just drove from SC to Omaha, NE and in several states there is no ULSD fuel but diesel such as Biofuel and D2 diesel. I quickly glanced through the owners manual and it appears using either of these fuels is OK but again I didn't study the owners manual, so my question is, using biofuel, D2 and ULSD and at times mixing between the three during refueling times, will this have any adverse effect on my engine? Do you use any additives with any of the fuels mentioned? I'm going to read the owners manual in the next day or two but I wanted to hear from other diesel owners, this is my first diesel also. Thanks and be safe out there!

[redsb3]

Javi1 wrote:
You'll be hard pressed to find diesel in Texas that ain't got at least 5% Bio in it... and most stations are now selling B10 or more...

Yeah, I just came back from 2 weeks in Texas, all stations were at least 5% Bio. At Loves, Flying J's and the like, the pumps all said between 5% to 20% Bio. Truck ran a little quieter but the mileage sure tanked. Dropped up to a mile per gallon on the 20% stuff, a couple of tenths on the 5%. Sure hope that trend doesn't spread across the country.

[nevadanick]

I have a 2011 GMC with 49,000 miles and it has had plenty of B20 through it.

[Javi1]

You'll be hard pressed to find diesel in Texas that ain't got at least 5% Bio in it... and most stations are now selling B10 or more...

[RAS43]

45Ricochet wrote:
I learned long ago, the stations are color blind.... so I use the "sniff" test :B

X2, and how about that old statement--"read the label"

[campboss222]

wintersun's last comment proved to be true last summer when I got some bad #2 diesel (not biodiesel)in SD. My 2009 GMC Duramax gave no warning that we had a plugged filter and no warning about water in the fuel. My cost to get back on the road was over $9,000. If it's a fuel issue, GM won't cover the cost, regardless of the performance of their filtering system and warning system. I now have a pre-filtering system w/ boost pump (AirDog) because I know that the GMC warning system and filtering system doesn't work and the GM warranty is worthless in that respect.

[45Ricochet]

thomasmnile wrote:

Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:

path1 wrote:
Second on confusing and what to do, at least to me. My state you grab the green handle pump and you get diesel. Some states have #1 and #2 and winter and bio and on and on.

Do that in NW Ohio at a BP station a d you will get gasoline not diesel. Diesel pumps at BP stations are yellow not green, best to look at the pump.

Don

Same w/ BP down here as well. Also, Love's and/or Pilot, yellow pump handles.

I learned long ago, the stations are color blind.... so I use the "sniff" test :B

[thomasmnile]

Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:

path1 wrote:
Second on confusing and what to do, at least to me. My state you grab the green handle pump and you get diesel. Some states have #1 and #2 and winter and bio and on and on.

Do that in NW Ohio at a BP station a d you will get gasoline not diesel. Diesel pumps at BP stations are yellow not green, best to look at the pump.

Don

Same w/ BP down here as well. Also, Love's and/or Pilot, yellow pump handles.

[dave17352]

wintersun wrote:
It has not been legal for the refineries to make and sell anything but ULSD since 2010 in the USA. At the pumps it is always going to be No. 2. ULSD is more of a problem on older engines built before 2010. Engines built after 2009 are designed to handle ULSD diesel.

I avoid biodiesel in any concentration and would never put anything beyond B-5 in my truck's tank.

Here is what is stated in the 2011 GM owners manuals regarding biodiesel:

"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."

That last line is the kicker. Damage caused by burning biodiesel may not be covered by the manufacturer's warranty. One definitely should avoid using biodiesel in the winter but with no benefits I see no reason to use it all.

I guess I feel the same way. I am also one who uses stanadyne with every fill up.

[wintersun]

It has not been legal for the refineries to make and sell anything but ULSD since 2010 in the USA. At the pumps it is always going to be No. 2. ULSD is more of a problem on older engines built before 2010. Engines built after 2009 are designed to handle ULSD diesel.

I avoid biodiesel in any concentration and would never put anything beyond B-5 in my truck's tank.

Here is what is stated in the 2011 GM owners manuals regarding biodiesel:

"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."

That last line is the kicker. Damage caused by burning biodiesel may not be covered by the manufacturer's warranty. One definitely should avoid using biodiesel in the winter but with no benefits I see no reason to use it all.

[kennethwooster]

I always add an additive, usually Standoyne. It's purpose is lubrication, raise the cetane rate, and help with any water you might have in your tank. New fuels really don't have just a lot of lubrication. Use to be sulfer provided the lubrication. Still it will run on all of these fuels, but I don't like what we are being forced to do. Ive missed with diesel since the 50s.

[Perrysburg_Dodg]

path1 wrote:
Second on confusing and what to do, at least to me. My state you grab the green handle pump and you get diesel. Some states have #1 and #2 and winter and bio and on and on.

Do that in NW Ohio at a BP station a d you will get gasoline not diesel. Diesel pumps at BP stations are yellow not green, best to look at the pump.

Don

[Kennedycamper]

cbconway Your VP-44 is a fuel lubricated pump, and will not be hurt by Bio-diesel; in fact, the lubricity of bio is higher than regular #2.

[Norskeman]

I have run bio-diesel in my 2011 - purchased the fuel in the mid-west last year - no issues. The 2011's can run on B20. I think previous models were limited to B5. All of the D2 at the pumps should be the ultra low sulfur diesel - if it is off-road diesel it should be marked as such.

I run Standyne additive in my diesel. Was the only brand approved by GM back in 2005.

You will find allot of good duramax info at:
www.dieselplace.com/forum/index.php
www.duramaxforum.com/forum/

You will find good info about the Allison transmission on the sites too.

Would be good to read the diesel supplement owners manual.

[cbconway]

I was told some years back that my early model Ram 24-valve injection pump (VP44) will not tolerate biodiesel. It has always seemed like a good idea not to challenge that advice. I have never heard such cautions about any other trucks, however.