Dodge vs Biodiesel- what are the real problems

[Dave3500]

Originally Posted by jefff929

Hey Camo that isn't really fair to throw that out there. Gezzus, Scott create a little drama. You have a HPCR (03+) and the OP is talking about a 98.5-02. Yes, the HPCR is known to have that happen on the injectors. With a 01, is that an issue? I say no.

I have been running different %s of BioD for the last 4+ (over 60k) years without a problem. I run commercially available B99 that I mix at the recommendation of the local BioD coop with #2 to B50 or less in the winter. I seriously doubt my injector size or flow has changed from running it. Good quality BioD that has been properly washed and given time to settle shouldn't have the water content to erode the injector tips on an 01 era truck. I have run everything from B99 to B20 without issue, currently there is mostly b20 with a little #2 so it is probably about B10 right now.

The fuel filter thing. I really recommend that you get a fp gauge, to each his own. When i see the fp start to drop off I change the filter. with the light thingy you are waiting for the fp to get dangerously low, the Fn light is not set up to come on until you are dangerously low on fp and possibly causing damage to the vp44 IMO. Cary a spare ff under the seat at all times and if that light even flickers change it.

Can you give me a heads up on the fuel pressure gauge thing? Did you buy a kit?
How & where did you install it?

A guy on EBay was selling a kit with enlarged banjo fittings. Is that the way to go? I just installed a new Carter Pump.
the truck I bought came with a low pressure light, but I'd like to know whats really happening

Thanks, Dave

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Red 98.5 24V 3500 dually. K&N filter, low fuel pressure light.
Soon to be added: Fuel Pressure & Trans Temp Gauges.

[jefff929]

Originally Posted by Dave3500

Can you give me a heads up on the fuel pressure gauge thing? Did you buy a kit?
How & where did you install it?

A guy on EBay was selling a kit with enlarged banjo fittings. Is that the way to go? I just installed a new Carter Pump.
the truck I bought came with a low pressure light, but I'd like to know whats really happening

Thanks, Dave

Geno's garage has gauges and a hose that hooks to the VP44 at the test port

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sic-and-Fk'n tired of Trolls, CF included.

Good luck all

[Jetdriver]

My brother who is a contractor is literaly is running the h*ll out of his 03 on bio. I have had NO clogged filters with his fuel. His first contraption (kit) was from freedom fuels now he is running a larger setup and is turning out 100gal batches. (soon to be 300gal) I dont believe he is using wet filtering anymore. I had a rash of filter problems at first but now no problems.

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2006 2500HD 4X4 Auto QC SB 30k bone stock toy hauler.

[ak_cowboy]

Originally Posted by Dieselguy8599

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

I posted a picture on my garage. I just made the bracket out of 1/4 aluminum I bent and mounted to the bed support. Hope this helps.

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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!

[arcoen]

Hey all- figured I put some new info out. For those who are interested in making Bio- I came across a new site that give awesome instructions. It's called Oklahoma based biodiesel production resource.. Great place to start. The 80/20 process they show may be a little different then normal method- but from talking with those guys- great method for bad WVO to help you pass the 27/3 test. As far as my update- still going strong with bio- Making larger batches and truck has had only 1 problem. The aftermarket fuel pressure alarm started to leak into the electical connector. All I got was a low fuel pressure light- changed the filter - still had the light. I found my aftermarket lift pump had broken free from the mount and I figured in my rush to fix it- that it shorted out against the block. Sooo- I replaced my aftermarket lift pump. Well- the light stayed on- but in my new found frustration- as I'm under the hood with the engine running- I see fuel leaking out of the connector on my alarm pressure sensor. Luckily - I don't know why- but the guy I bought the pump from (Pensacola Diesel) included the same sensor and alarm I already had installed- with the pump. So bottom line- I'm an idiot- sensor failed- and have a new pump in my truck and a perfectly good on on my shelf in the garage. I know I should have just tested the pressure- but at least it all worked out in the end.

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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

[Diesel-Dan]

Originally Posted by arcoen

Hey all- figured I put some new info out. For those who are interested in making Bio- I came across a new site that give awesome instructions. It's called Oklahoma based biodiesel production resource.. Great place to start. The 80/20 process they show may be a little different then normal method- but from talking with those guys- great method for bad WVO to help you pass the 27/3 test. As far as my update- still going strong with bio- Making larger batches and truck has had only 1 problem. The aftermarket fuel pressure alarm started to leak into the electical connector. All I got was a low fuel pressure light- changed the filter - still had the light. I found my aftermarket lift pump had broken free from the mount and I figured in my rush to fix it- that it shorted out against the block. Sooo- I replaced my aftermarket lift pump. Well- the light stayed on- but in my new found frustration- as I'm under the hood with the engine running- I see fuel leaking out of the connector on my alarm pressure sensor. Luckily - I don't know why- but the guy I bought the pump from (Pensacola Diesel) included the same sensor and alarm I already had installed- with the pump. So bottom line- I'm an idiot- sensor failed- and have a new pump in my truck and a perfectly good on on my shelf in the garage. I know I should have just tested the pressure- but at least it all worked out in the end.

Brother...i feel your pain.....80% of all my pressure issue phone calls end with gauge issues....

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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

[chefbutthead]

I have heard from my trucker buddies that if you use anything except B20, you take the risk of clogging the whole fuel system of the truck. I use Amsoil diesel additive and a Superchips programmer to get up to 26 mpg on the highway. It is totally dependent on how I place my foot on the accelerator. All the biodiesel around here is CFN and I already had my run in with those idiots. Never again.

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07 Dodge 5.9 Cummins Diesel Superchip and stock until the warranty runs out at 75000 miles

[HotshotTX]

Why are you guys panicking and tossing all your money away converting everything? This fuel crisis mess happen back in the 70's and it all balanced out over time in case a lot of you didn't know that. History has a funny way of repeating itself. Hopefully this time, America will learn it's lesson and lift the drilling ban here. We just need to keep the pressure on the Government. Once they do drill, hammer them on keeping the oil here and the hell with the foreign countries. Take care of home first!

In addition, all this Global Warming that most are falling for is making people go into more debt and spend money that shouldn't be spent. The reality is, no matter what you do, Mother Nature is going to do as she pleases and if she wants to spank our , she will. We can't control this earth nor what God has in store. Drive less and save your money. So just sit back and relax.

[arcoen]

Brother- fuel crisis or not- I started doing bio months ago- before the fuel insanity. Yes cheaper fuel is always good- but were not even mentioning the loss of fuel system lubrication with low sulfer fuels. I see 100 times more info out now on peoplpe trying to do bio- because they love thier trucks- and want to be able to afford to drive them. Nessesity is the mother of invention- but in this case- Bio has been wide spread for decades- just not here. But nessesity has driven us to seek new ways of keeping our trucks running. and some of us here depend on our trucks to support our families.
As far as clogging the fuel system- thats just not correct- jelling the system in cold weather yes- but unless your making vegtable oil chemical goolash instead of bio- you should have no problems. Actually when I started in Feb. this year- on the water in VA- I kept bio from my batches in glass jars outside in the shade- and it never jelled. But if it started to- then I would have added some diesel to it.
Bio has given me the oppertunity to enjoy driving my truck- and not cringe at the thought of how many gallons/ and how much money it would cost to go here or there. The money I spent building 2 different processor systems has already made itself back in not going to the diesel pump. And I am still expanding. I enjoy being in control - and not a slave to oil companies/gov't/ politics/ and the ever declining dollar.
Please- post here what you know to be true- not here say- thats why I started this thread- to get the facts from people before I started making bio- and let others see my real time experiance as it happens. From there everyone should make thier own choice- and do your own research on what you think is best. As far as my 01 dodge 2500- it has had no problems sucking on bio- not even a cold weather hard start when I first began- can't say as much for the after market fuel pressure sensor- don't think it was to fond of bio- but that may have been a faulty part- I guess I'll see with the one I have in now.

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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

[DUO_CORE]

Originally Posted by chefbutthead

I have heard from my trucker buddies that if you use anything except B20, you take the risk of clogging the whole fuel system of the truck. I use Amsoil diesel additive and a Superchips programmer to get up to 26 mpg on the highway. It is totally dependent on how I place my foot on the accelerator. All the biodiesel around here is CFN and I already had my run in with those idiots. Never again.

Yes I heard the same thing from my brothers girl friends ex husbands cousins half brother in laws mother. She read about it on the internet so it must be true.

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06 Silverado CC 4x4 LT3 3500
Duramax LBZ Allison 6 SPD
MBRP 5" TB EFI Live

[jefff929]

Originally Posted by HotshotTX

Why are you guys panicking and tossing all your money away converting everything?
***

Convert? I converted nothing except for my mind.



As arcoen pointed out -I have been doing this for longer than the current hysteria, going on 4 years now. Last year on state income tax I got a, little BONUS, $0.50/gal credit. I buy BioDiesel so I can prove how much I have burned and what percentage.



From where I'm sitting, I'm on the other side of the panic.

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sic-and-Fk'n tired of Trolls, CF included.

Good luck all

[arcoen]

Still going strong- read some posts from some new guys trying home brewed Bio- and they are learning big time- START WITH SMALL BATCHES- Learn the in's and Out's - and ask questions. I have been making awesome batches for 4 months - with no problems- after figuring out the ups and downs in the process.

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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