Follow up: B-20 fuel economy..........

Several weeks ago, I started a thread about my experience with B-20. I had reported that my fuel economy began dropping rapidly upon my first tank full of B-20. Halfway through my second tank full of B-20, at the advise of several posters, I changed both fuel filters and air filter. My third full tank of B-20 delivered me my lowest ever mpg fuel economy at 24 mpg.

Last week I decided to go back to dino and see if there was any difference. Today I filled up again with dino and got 29.627 mpg. Also added to the dino was a minimum amount of Power Services, just as I have always put in before.

Running with the dino, lost power has been restored, and what sounded like "rod knock" (that troubled me for a while) is gone! Aside from the knocking with B-20, it only appeared while accelerating, the B-20 did quiet the engine down, but since I've run dyno, it remains as quiet as it had run on the B-20, about the only benefit I got from the B-20!

Some of you suggested before that I may have gotten bad B-20, and I haven't ruled that out. But at $2.80 a gallon for B-20, I'll stick with $2.39 a gallon dino for the time being!

[phantoms]

Make your own!

[aklim]

Problem with B20 is that it is 80% diesel. The issue is the same as with dino diesel. There was a place where I did lose fuel mileage. That means that not all diesel is equal. 80% of junk diesel could screw up the 20% biodiesel.

[coldwar]

My experience with B20 has been variable. First time there was a noticable power loss, excessive nailing, and a disappointing 22 MPG (Imperial). Ran regular Diesel for several weeks after, waithing for weather to warm up. Then I tried again, and delighted that I went from 25 MPG on dino to 28 with the B20. After several fills of B20, mileage has maintained around 26 to 28, with good power, quieter operation, but still some nailing when cold. I was suspicious after first try with the only BioDiesel station around here having the pumps located on the same pad as their car wash. But subsequent experience, especially with somewhat warmer temperatures has been very promising.

Dave

1976 White 300D W115 "Pearl"
1970 Euro 200 parts car "Earl"

[boneheaddoctor]

I get the same milage on both of my cars with B20 as I get with 100% camel pee the arabs sell us.

[aklim]

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

I get the same milage on both of my cars with B20 as I get with 100% camel pee the arabs sell us.

Most of it is from Venesuela tho so I am not sure what sort of pee it is.

[suliot1]

1984 300sd

[boxscar]

on I 25 and south of ABQ, eat lots of french frys. i love the oil i get...
i've heard the 300D can use fuel that other "lesser" diesels have trouble with (can you spell ford?) with no noticable problems. i think i get the same or better power than the corporate stuff. don't think my mileage is lower but i don't have an accurate way to measure the fuel i'm putting in.

robert
BelenBioDiesel
Fuel Testing Division
Anti Ford Unit

[Wodnek]

I am running B60 (aprox) homebrew. Unwashed, I settle it overnight. Let the glycerine out and pump it in. Ive just been putting it through a paint filter. Milage about 22 to 23. This compares to 24/26 on dino. But at a cost of 75 cents a gallon I can afford the slight loss of milage.

[TomJ]

Since the "evil Bush admin" (the one everyone loves to hate, despite being the first admin to hire minorities to high posts and pass alt fuels legislation) passed the alt fuels tax incentive (mostly for mfg's), Blue Sun B100 (100% virgin soy Biodiesel) is now selling at $2.39 in Denver. So that's the same as most are paying for Dino.

For those making it, using un-washed is probably not the best idea for fuel systems. Not only is there too much free methanol (that's primarily what causes the rubber deterioration), but the soaps can cause all kinds of issues with the flame propagation of the burn and IP's don't like pumping soap.

Those who aren't washing, please find a way to wash your fuel (using KOH instead of NaOH will help with enviro issues of wash water.)

The problem with B20 is the petro diesel stock used in blending. Try some B100 if you can find it. You might not have an increase in mileage, but you'll probably find the other running issues disappear.

[babyjames]

I've been buying drums of "commercial" B-100, and it seems as though my mileage is worse using biodiesel.

[TomJ]

Originally Posted by babyjames

I've been buying drums of "commercial" B-100, and it seems as though my mileage is worse using biodiesel.

It can be since veggie oil has about 8% less BTU's than petroleum diesel, but you probably have to weigh that against the reason you're using it in the first place (probably not for economical reasons.)

[83-240D]

the btu total of a gallon of dino ia about 135,000 btu. the bio d is 121,000 btu. i read that in greg pahls book, biodiesel, growing a new economy, available thru b&n. mileage loss explained. but think how much better your engine looks inside and how much better the world smells.

[boneheaddoctor]

Originally Posted by 83-240D

the btu total of a gallon of dino ia about 135,000 btu. the bio d is 121,000 btu. i read that in greg pahls book, biodiesel, growing a new economy, available thru b&n. mileage loss explained. but think how much better your engine looks inside and how much better the world smells.

I think that would be a greater issue with B100 than B20 however.........but if the price was competitive I would deal with the slight loss in power to not be supporting the middle eastern troublemakers.

[aklim]

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

I think that would be a greater issue with B100 than B20 however.........but if the price was competitive I would deal with the slight loss in power to not be supporting the middle eastern troublemakers.

But if you use any oil products (Grease, Plastics, Asphalt, etc, etc), not just gasoline you still are supporting them. Even if you don't drive, you still support them. Now if you live off the land 100% and live in a cave in the middle of nowheres and get out of society altogether, maybe not. In any case, less than 20% of our oil is of middle eastern origin. Most of your support goes to the venesuealan troublemakers.