Diesel Fuel

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.

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

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...

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"

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.

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

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.

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.

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 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.