Dodge vs Biodiesel- what are the real problems

[dezl]

I ran homemade bio in my 05 and it worked great, I also have run it in my 95 CTD and again no problems. The only problems ive had is of course the clogged fuel filter. I would much rather deal with a clogged filter than pay 5 bucks a gallon.

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94 f350 w/ 95 6bt, Nv4500, Valair clutch, 370 Hp Marine Injectors, #4 fuel plate, dodgezilla hybrid turbo, 18* of timing, lazer cuts, 4k GSK, 60lbs springs and a lot more!

[enviroedneck]

I've run B100 90% of the time through my 5.9 07 Cummins since new. I now have around 30k miles on it and haven't had any real problems.

I ran B100 from the second tank onward and still had the nasty clogged filters so I really don't believe those that say bio is like a degreaser and breaks up the sludge left from petrodiesel.

I buy it from a local commercial outfit (LC Biofuels) and it costs about the same as petrodiesel.

I had my truck at the dealer last month for a tranny issue and the mechanic (after seeing my biodiesel bumper sticker) warned me of running B100. He said he has had a few trucks in with injector problems, and one truck that had been running B100 had to have all of the injectors replaced at a cost of around 6k. I've got a pretty good BS detector and I believe the guy both knew what he was talking about, and was telling the truth.

A couple of days later on startup, my truck hiccupped and I immediately drove to the station and filled with petrodiesel. I've since run a mix of B20-B50 and havn't had a hiccup. I don't know if it had anything to do with the biodiesel, but after hearing that from the mechanic, I was a bit paranoid.

Can some one tell me more about having a second filter that removes water as is suggested by cummins?

Thanks,

[ak_cowboy]

i use the racor spin on filters with the aqua bloq filter media. It strips out the suspended water. I have only had two issues running it and it was because it started to clog the filter when cold.

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2006 2500 Mega Limo 5.9 CRD running homebrew Biodiesel
Triple Dogged w/ Outlook,2 inch level kit, Silencer ring.....MIA, AFE Torque tube, Amsoil BHAF 4510

1967 Dodge Polara 500 currently getting a face lift. 383ci .030 Edlebrock 750 carb, 484 lift cam @ 272 duration = 14.5 second land yacht!

[dezl]

[quote=enviroedneck;658281

I had my truck at the dealer last month for a tranny issue and the mechanic (after seeing my biodiesel bumper sticker) warned me of running B100. He said he has had a few trucks in with injector problems, and one truck that had been running B100 had to have all of the injectors replaced at a cost of around 6k. I've got a pretty good BS detector and I believe the guy both knew what he was talking about, and was telling the truth.
[/QUOTE]

6k for some injectors??? Did he have them custom made out of platinum?? I mean come on, if a mechanic told you it was 6k for injectors I would laugh. Obvious BS in my opinion.

I dont have a long term proof but I have spoken with guys who have been running bio for years and have no problems except for the Clogged filters. Which is the same problems I have had, other than that....all good.

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94 f350 w/ 95 6bt, Nv4500, Valair clutch, 370 Hp Marine Injectors, #4 fuel plate, dodgezilla hybrid turbo, 18* of timing, lazer cuts, 4k GSK, 60lbs springs and a lot more!

[the webguy]

where do you get an optional water separator? is it tough to install? seems like a good idea

[ak_cowboy]

I got it on ebay. Easy to install. Cut about 4 inches of the metal line out and splice in some nitrile lined hose and whalla.

__________________
2006 2500 Mega Limo 5.9 CRD running homebrew Biodiesel
Triple Dogged w/ Outlook,2 inch level kit, Silencer ring.....MIA, AFE Torque tube, Amsoil BHAF 4510

1967 Dodge Polara 500 currently getting a face lift. 383ci .030 Edlebrock 750 carb, 484 lift cam @ 272 duration = 14.5 second land yacht!

[rufushusky]

Originally Posted by the webguy

where do you get an optional water separator? is it tough to install? seems like a good idea

I have a cat filter on a baldwin FB1311 base. I just picked up another base and fittings to add a Donaldson water separator to my fuel system. It is a pretty easy install.

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Dennis
04.5 Ram 2500 Reg Cab 4x4 5.9, 48re, AEM, Smarty, TS Ramifier, Banks High Ram,FASS HPFP, Boost/pyro/trans/FP/RP gauges, 5" Exhaust, Cat 2 micron fuel filter, Amsoil Bypass

Check out: Rig of the Month!
http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/rig-month/

[Diesel-Dan]

In HPCR trucks.....its not that the Bio is cleaning out the tank and such...that is a common misconception of bio. The reason that your filters keep clogging is due to what they call Polymerization. When bio is put under the extreme pressure and heat that is associated with these systems...its turns it into a plastic-ish gunk that will clog up filters and injection systems. This is why they don’t recommend high concentrations of bio in the common rail trucks. The 6BTA’s and ISB are not as susceptible due to the lower injection pressure they use.

Fuel quality has a lot to do with it as well…..make sure you have good fuel…….

Do a search on Bio and Polymerization on Google and see what you come up with.

You can run a good while before you see issues....but you will...as the guy that i get my bio from just had this last week.

My truck has no issue (Other than little less power and mileage) running B-100.........

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Dan MacDonald
www.FASSRide.com

2001 2500, 4x4, Con OFEed, TBK, AFE Stage II kit W/ prefilter and 4" cowl mod. , FASS 150/150, Mach 2's, Drag Comp,

Currently running on B-100
'02 Jetta TDI 5 Speed "Mini Me" 45-50 MPG

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Last edited by Diesel-Dan : 06-16-2008 at 05:12 PM.

[Dieselguy8599]

Originally Posted by ak_cowboy

I got it on ebay. Easy to install. Cut about 4 inches of the metal line out and splice in some nitrile lined hose and whalla.

Ak, you think you can snap some pictures of your filter setup and post them for us?

__________________

2006 3500 Laramie H - QC ° LWB ° 4x4 ° 3:73 ° G56

AFE Stage 2 ° Silencer Ring - MIA ° MBRP T-304 4" TBE 5" Tip ° CAT Delete ° TST PMCR R49 ° Smarty SW#5

[ak_cowboy]

Dan, I have read all of the articles on the theory of polimarization and no where does it say that it causes filters to clog. If and only if it does pol that fuel stay at the injector. I have run b100 since I bought this and have clogged 0 filters....because there was no sediment in the tank. after about 30-40k of running on pump fuel that really has not been filtered at the tank farm, there is lots of sediment. That is why they put filters on our car and trucks. If it was filter before it went into the filling station tanks there would be very little use for filters other than water sep. That sediment builds up in our tanks and biodiesel(which is a solvent) breaks the sediment up and clogs the filter. FYI some engine builders are using biodiesel as a solvent for prepping blocks in dip tanks. So I am getting off my soap box. I am not trying to bash anyone just stating what I have researched on my own.

Dieselguy I will get pics posted of my filter. Here is the one I use on ebay eBay Motors: CLEAN Racor 490R2 Diesel Fuel Filter Water Separator (item 300233945601 end time Jun-20-08 09:34:30 PDT)

__________________
2006 2500 Mega Limo 5.9 CRD running homebrew Biodiesel
Triple Dogged w/ Outlook,2 inch level kit, Silencer ring.....MIA, AFE Torque tube, Amsoil BHAF 4510

1967 Dodge Polara 500 currently getting a face lift. 383ci .030 Edlebrock 750 carb, 484 lift cam @ 272 duration = 14.5 second land yacht!

[arcoen]

Its been a few months now- and I prefer Bio over diesel !!
A little loss of power- a little less MPG- but really- not even paying attention. My wife notices now if I put diesel in my truck (not by choice- but for travel when I don't have the bio to store- I let the mililtary pay for my fuel when on travel orders near by)- I upgraded my process- and fine tuned prodution. I have learned a few big lessons-
1. big company bio- is not as good- I pay attention to every 8 gallon batch- and they don't
2. Time is your friend- don't follow the bare min. time for seperation and washing- more is better (even with methanol and lye- a little extra is far better then not enough) - extra will come out in the wash- but not enough makes a batch of jelly
3. Bio is better - fuel system lubrication- and general engine wear

Now that I have been doing this for a little while- I am very pleased with my results. My info i constructed was all from the web- but I would be more then happy to answer questions at boattech1@verizon.net-
I dont even really pay attention to my MPG anymore-
My truck has had 0 problems
and the more I researched- I realized that "diesel" was made to run off of peanut oil (fact) - so even my "questionable cloudy - because i was to lazy to dry completely" batches ran fine. All diesels have water seperators and filters- so at the very least- I would have to replace a filter pre- maturely- but the money I have saved from making bio at about $1 a gallon is just fine by me. PLease feel free to mail me any questions- I hope you keep up the love of your diesels regardles of fuel costs. Bio is the future- just like ethanol is for cars- but we can all make it ourselves- and stick it to the man , lol

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2001 extended cab, full bed 2500 4x4 superchiped, 160,000 miles , Running home brewed bio for 7 months- Hauling butt, smelling like french fries- Navy Cummins tech for 15 years

[Dieselguy8599]

I like sticking it to the man!

__________________

2006 3500 Laramie H - QC ° LWB ° 4x4 ° 3:73 ° G56

AFE Stage 2 ° Silencer Ring - MIA ° MBRP T-304 4" TBE 5" Tip ° CAT Delete ° TST PMCR R49 ° Smarty SW#5