Any reason NOT to run B20 on every tank? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 08-02-2006, 01:12 PM

Station less than 2 miles from my office offers dino-Diesel as well as B20 bio.

Is there any downside to running B20 all of the time? Just finishing my first tank of B20 (the car has never had bio in it - this is the first tank after 240,xxx miles of dino-Diesel) and wanting to know any risks to B20.

It's so close and not a problem to get - seems like I should run it all the time.

bgkast · #2 08-02-2006, 01:15 PM

Just make sure to carry some spare fuel filters (both the spin on and in-line) and the tools to change them. Biodiesel has a way of loosening up crud that has been building up in the fuel system for years. Otherwise go for it!

aklim · #3 08-02-2006, 01:19 PM

Price difference?

Also make sure you have some filters and tools handy if you want to run it for the first time. Expect that you may be stranded if not. Also keep watch for the fuel lines leaking. Other than that, I don't see an issue. Run it everyday if you want.

#4 08-02-2006, 01:37 PM

Good news.

I carry spare filters & tools to change in the trunk already as a precaution. I've noticed the car seemed to run a bit better on this first tank of B20, but that may be psychosomatic on my part. Then again, it had never been run on B20 before so it may have cleaned out a bunch of junk out of the fuel system.

Price differential is negligible - maybe $0.10 per gallon, if that much.

B20 it is. Danke.

aklim · #5 08-02-2006, 01:42 PM

B20 is still 80% regular diesel so anything can be up with that. I have dumped B100 into my tank and mixed it with fuel to make a B40 mix and never noticed any difference in running other than the mileage went down a little. When I used fuel at this place, it sucked. Changed and it ran right again, changed back and it sucked. You get the picture. I'd say you are best off if you can test it with your regular fuel then add B100 in it. Some have said it works better and I haven't seen it better so, as they say YMMV.

#6 08-02-2006, 02:02 PM

Last summer I ran my E300 and my 1985 300D over 7,000 miles each on B100. Once some biodiesel has cleaned everything out there should not be any special need for filter changing over using diesel fuel.

I ran the 300D on B20 for several hundred miles and then changed filters and the underhood rubber fuel lines before using B100. No issues.

On the E300 I just used B100, changed filters after a few hundred miles and no worries.

When ever I can I put B20 in both as it is available at a station that I sometimes get to. My experience using biodiesel of any blend has been very positive, but it has also been certified biodiesel. If I could fill up B100 at the pump within 30 cents of petro diesel I would use it nearly year round. There are three biodiesel plants (Defiance, Hicksville, and Paulding) within an hour of me and I would like to help support them, but I know that two of them (and I am sure it is the same for the third) they can not produce nearly enough for the demand.

Old300D · #7 08-02-2006, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrhills0146

Is there any downside to running B20 all of the time? Just finishing my first tank of B20 (the car has never had bio in it - this is the first tank after 240,xxx miles of dino-Diesel) and wanting to know any risks to B20.

It's so close and not a problem to get - seems like I should run it all the time.

Only downside I can come up with is it's 80% diesel fuel. I've run B100 for the last 2 years with some blending in the winter. Kick the fossil habit.

winmutt · #8 08-02-2006, 04:34 PM

Power loss. Be ready for it. Not noticeable in b20 really but b100 its clearly apparent. Especially on NA engines.

Diesel Giant · #9 08-02-2006, 05:05 PM

Properly made bio diesel should make plenty of power. I dont understand the low concentrations for selling bio. Use B100 and kick the diesel habbit.....he says as he fills his tank up with dino fuel.

Old300D · #10 08-02-2006, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel Giant

Properly made bio diesel should make plenty of power. I dont understand the low concentrations for selling bio. Use B100 and kick the diesel habbit.....he says as he fills his tank up with dino fuel.

My B100 makes plenty of power. The mileage drops a little, maybe 1 or 2 mpg, but I've not noticed a power loss. Engine runs quieter and smoother with B100.

Jorn · #11 08-02-2006, 06:40 PM

I'm running B100 (or is it B99) as well, car runs very smooth. changed the fuel
filters twice after 6 fill ups. The last time I changed them the main filter was full with grudge but the pre-filter was still clean. Replaced all the injector lines, started to wheep and the grommet around the fuel filler, eaten away by spilling bio diesel. It took some of the paint of around the filler. Engine runs very smooth and mileage is a little less.

The best thing it's an all American product, non of my money to the sheiks!

F18 · #12 08-02-2006, 08:44 PM

Matt, I think B20 is a good all-weather blend for use anywhere in the US.
I would be careful using B100 in the winter months even down in Atlanta....even you get your fare share of cold and ice which would not be condusive to a high percentage of BioDiesel.
I wish I lived in a climate where I could use B100 year around with confidence.
Cheers

Jeremy5848 · #13 08-03-2006, 02:01 AM

I've noticed no difference in either performance or economy in my 1985 300D Turbo with B100 for the past 5000 miles. Then again, as a California version with the trap oxidizer, the mileage is lousy anyway. But I have had no clogged filters and no leaks. B100 is my small personal contribution towards curing us of the imported oil addiction.

aklim · #14 08-03-2006, 02:25 AM

My mileage went down with B40. I used the same fuel I always use but dumped B100 into the tank.

#15 08-03-2006, 07:52 AM

I need to see if I can get a higher concentration of bio anywhere nearby.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover the closest Diesel-selling station by my office happens to offer B20 at the exact same price as dino-Diesel. If there's a place for me to get a higher concentration then I'll do that, but I can't really drive across town simply for that.

The car does seem to run marginally better on B20 but that's such a low % of bio that it's likely all in my head.

F18 - we get ice in Atlanta about once every 2 years. It does get cold enough to frustrate year-round use of B100.