Notice on my diesel pump - now part biodiesel - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mbzr4ever · #1 04-19-2008, 04:55 AM

Questions for the very knowledgeable diesel heads on this board:

Today when I went to get my 240D topped off (which is not very often) at my favorite gas station, there was a new sign posted on all the highway diesel pumps:

Contains bio-mass-based diesel or biodiesel in quantities between 5% - 20%

And the color was different, it was yellow-tinged!

It's a self-service place and was after hours, no one around to ask any questions.

Does anyone think they posted this sign to explain the obvious change in color or ???

Will I have to worry about the bio-diesel eating my rubber hoses, or any other issues because of this change?

The 240 has only run straight diesel all its life (of 29 years). Please let me know if this is a potential problem so I can start looking for another source of fuel, or if it is no big deal.

#2 04-19-2008, 05:17 AM

There will be no problem. You are just naturally overreacting to change from the norm.

mbzr4ever · #3 04-19-2008, 05:18 AM

OK, thanks for the quick reply.

BTW, it is 11 pm here in Hawaii - isn't really late over there in CO?

#4 04-19-2008, 05:30 AM

3:30am, I work late nights.

mbzr4ever · #5 04-19-2008, 05:45 AM

Well, I'm headed for bed...Good Night!

Alastair · #6 04-19-2008, 05:50 AM

Interesting....

From Wednesday last, 16 April, it is now law that in the UK, all fuel must contain 5% 'Bio' sourced material, Ethanol for gas and BioDiesel for 'diesel'

I dont care, Ive been making and using my own for years!

mbzr4ever · #7 04-19-2008, 06:14 AM

Alastair,

You have been making your own?? Have you posted this in the past - I'll have to look up your previous posts!

I have been reading lately, and confirmed by conversations with regular folk (main street), the unusual increases in food prices to the because of the diversion of crops to ethanol production vs food. We are now seeing huge inflation in rice /flour and related foodstuffs, and it is causing havoc in certain countries. The hunger that is spreading is frightening indeed!

(I have not plowed through the numerous bio-diesel debates/discussions on this board - perhaps this has been rehashed already.)

I have always thought it would be kinda cool to run my 240 on some kind of local tropical oil, but there is really no inexpensive "anything" here in Hawaii.

Jim W. · #8 04-19-2008, 08:58 AM

Biodiesel above 5% will void new MB diesel warranties.

Jim W.

mbzr4ever · #9 04-19-2008, 01:05 PM

Jim W.,

Exactly what I was thinking.

Why mess with a good thing, what was wrong with the basic diesel?

It's not like it's going to save on any air pollution here - we have the volcano spewing out vog in increasing quantities on a daily basis.

BTW, went by the Mercedes dealer to inquire about a part a few weeks ago - they are only offer repair services and parts now. They have stopped selling new Mercedes vehicles altogether.

Alastair · #10 04-19-2008, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbzr4ever

Alastair,

You have been making your own?? Have you posted this in the past - I'll have to look up your previous posts!

......

I have always thought it would be kinda cool to run my 240 on some kind of local tropical oil, but there is really no inexpensive "anything" here in Hawaii.

Yes, I collect used/waste vegetable oil from restaurants etc, and make proper BioDiesel out of it. I haven't posted much info on that here as there are specific forums just for Biofuels like--

http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/eve/ubb.x?a=cfrm&s=447609751&f=498605551

and--

http://biodieselcommunity.org/

I readily admit I do not do this for any so-called 'green' issue, but because the fuel in the UK at the pumps is just SO damned expensive...

I can make my own for less than a quarter the price of std. diesel

--and being proper BioDiesel the vehicle runs just as it does on std. diesel, with no issues associated with straight veggy oil

mbzr4ever · #11 04-19-2008, 03:45 PM

Alastair,

It's really not a major $$$ issue for me, my diesel bill runs around $45 per month(about $4 per gallon), as I really don't go anywhere.

It is a principal/independence thing for me, we are so vulnerable here on an island. I don't like having my diesel formula changed to add bio-diesel on some whim, jacking up the price, etc.

Will definitely check those forums out! Thanks much!

cphilip · #12 04-19-2008, 04:46 PM

As to warranty... this is from the EPA's site specifically their Biodiesel handling and use guide lines (you should read this one pretty completely)

Found here among other good reads...

http://www.epa.gov/region09/waste/biodiesel/resources.html

5. WARRANTY ISSUES
There are a variety of statements about biodiesel use from engine/vehicle manufacturers, including some that make reference to warranty. Engine and vehicle manufacturers provide a material and workmanship warranty on their products. Such warranties do not cover damage caused by some external condition. Thus, if an engine that uses biodiesel experiences a failure unrelated to the biodiesel use, it must be covered by the OEM’s warranty. Federal law prohibits the voiding of a warranty just because biodiesel was used—it has to be the cause of the failure. If an engine experiences a failure caused by biodiesel use (or any other external condition, such as bad diesel fuel), the damage will not be covered by the OEM’s warranty. Many engine OEMs are acknowledging biodiesel use by stating their observations about harmful effects (or the lack of effects) with various blends in their equipment. Most OEMs declare a lack of harmful effects for B5 and lower blends based on a statement by the leading fuel injection equipment suppliers, as long as the biodiesel meets D6751 and/or the European biodiesel specification. Some OEMs recognize higher blend levels. More evaluation is underway in the diesel engine industry related to biodiesel and its effects on diesel engines. Damage directly attributable to biodiesel will not be covered by an engine OEM’s warranty, but should be covered by the fuel supplier’s general liability insurance. New biodiesel users should be sure that their biodiesel suppliers provide liability coverage on the biodiesel and its blends. For an updated list of OEMs and their positional statements, visit the National Biodiesel Board Web page at URL http://www.biodiesel.org/.

bustedbenz · #13 04-19-2008, 04:58 PM

In other words, they are under compulsion to supply a fuel that they are not under compulsion to stand by.

Brilliant.

bgkast · #14 04-19-2008, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbzr4ever

Alastair,

It's really not a major $$$ issue for me, my diesel bill runs around $45 per month(about $4 per gallon), as I really don't go anywhere.

It is a principal/independence thing for me, we are so vulnerable here on an island. I don't like having my diesel formula changed to add bio-diesel on some whim, jacking up the price, etc.

Will definitely check those forums out! Thanks much!

These days it a bio mix should have a lower cost than petrol-diesel.

cphilip · #15 04-19-2008, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bustedbenz

In other words, they are under compulsion to supply a fuel that they are not under compulsion to stand by.

Brilliant.

in a nut shell...

However the risk of harm from B20 is really low. As the percentage goes up from there the risk is real. And in fact some of the benefits of B20 are good. Lubricity... lower emissions... and yet no real solvent effects at that percentage. So few drawbacks at B20 or below.

But remember that if it came to a fight, voiding your warranty would rest on the fact that B20 would have to have CAUSED the damage. Not just something unrelated at all like your AC goes out and they claim its because you used B20. I wouldn't even bring it up really.