Bio diesel vs non bio/mpg and oil change frequency?

[Jerry L]

I have located a station that sells non bio diesel. As I understand while reading the manual... It indicates the oil change frequency is reduced if bio diesel is used? I'm sure this has probably been asked and answered but...

Will the engine oil life reflect the use of non bio, bio or combination?
I believe the manual indicated/required a 5K oil change if using up to 20% bio...

Has anyone noticed a difference in mpg while running non bio #2 diesel?

If I need to relocate these questions please let me know.

Many Thanks!

 

[John]

Oil change interval is the same up to 20% Bio. The Oil Life indicator will not reflect differently depending on the fuel. It would be up to the owner to track mileage.

I have run fuel with only 3% Bio and didn't see any significant difference in MPG's.

The Bio blends offer additional lubricity over non bio fuel.

 

[Jerry L]

Oil change interval is the same up to 20% Bio. The Oil Life indicator will not reflect differently depending on the fuel. It would be up to the owner to track mileage.

I have run fuel with only 3% Bio and didn't see any significant difference in MPG's.

The Bio blends offer additional lubricity over non bio fuel.

Thank you!

 

[John]

You're welcome.

 

[Brokedownbutgood]

I run a B20 blend that is an average of 30 cents a gallon less expensive. Than all the other stations around. I'll list below my averages with both. The statistics are over the last 28k on my truck. 16220 miles on straight diesel the rest is a B20 blend.

Diesel = 17.32 mpg average
Biodiesel B20. = 16.37 mpg average

 

[Jerry L]

I run a B20 blend that is an average of 30 cents a gallon less expensive. Than all the other stations around. I'll list below my averages with both. The statistics are over the last 28k on my truck. 16220 miles on straight diesel the rest is a B20 blend.

Diesel = 17.32 mpg average
Biodiesel B20. = 16.37 mpg average

Thank you!

 

[jdn112011]

I run a B20 blend that is an average of 30 cents a gallon less expensive. Than all the other stations around. I'll list below my averages with both. The statistics are over the last 28k on my truck. 16220 miles on straight diesel the rest is a B20 blend.

Diesel = 17.32 mpg average
Biodiesel B20. = 16.37 mpg average

I don't feel so bad, even with my tires those are the numbers I see on the low end. I think I had one 15MPG tank over the winter but even light towing Merritt's 16-17.

 

[Jerry]

Just for what it is worth. The fuel system needs to stay as clean as possible. I buy my fuel where they sell LOT of fuel. Anytime I pull in there will be at least 2 18 wheelers fueling. It has to be nice fresh clean fuel. If you are trying to run bio diesel or something recycled I think you are in the long run asking to have trouble. I do have their credit card that gives me 10 cents off. It's a Sunoco refueling depot with 6 pumps.

 

[Hevster1]

Do you really see mileage that low? I average 24-25 consistently. The lowest I ever had was 18+ going to Canada last year towing. For over 50 miles I was stuck in stop and go traffic which decreased the average quite considerably. I have over 40K on my truck.
Regarding the Bio usage, it depends on what kind of Bio you're using and what blend. If it's ASTM certified bio or blend, I would say you should be fine with a 10K oil change using the T6. If you're using a home brew or if WVO derived, I would probably sell the truck and look for an old 6.9 or maybe 7.3 if I wanted to use that.

 

[jdn112011]

Do you really see mileage that low? I average 24-25 consistently. The lowest I ever had was 18+ going to Canada last year towing. For over 50 miles I was stuck in stop and go traffic which decreased the average quite considerably. I have over 40K on my truck.
Regarding the Bio usage, it depends on what kind of Bio you're using and what blend. If it's ASTM certified bio or blend, I would say you should be fine with a 10K oil change using the T6. If you're using a home brew or if WVO derived, I would probably sell the truck and look for an old 6.9 or maybe 7.3 if I wanted to use that.

Absolutely, the only times I saw the MPG that you do is when all of my driving was under 65MPH along with factory installed highway tires, realistic speeds and driving habits, winter warm up times, general excessive idling, aggressive tires in my particular case, evic shows lifetime MPG's of 16.8-17.5ish, I can still see 21ish average with mostly 65MPH state highway driving but 18 is entirely realistic.

And in regards to towing MPG, 11-18 mostly dependant on weight and profile

 

[Jerry]

Just for what it is worth. The fuel system needs to stay as clean as possible. I buy my fuel where they sell LOT of fuel. Anytime I pull in there will be at least 2 18 wheelers fueling. It has to be nice fresh clean fuel. If you are trying to run bio diesel or something recycled I think you are in the long run asking to have trouble. I do have their credit card that gives me 10 cents off. It's a Sunoco refueling depot with 6 pumps.

Just another note I get 28 to 30 at steady 70 bare truck. 16 to 18 pulling a 6500 lbs. Travel trailer. I think you've got a real problem with the fuel you're using. Diesel but are everything.

 

[Hevster1]

Absolutely, the only times I saw the MPG that you do is when all of my driving was under 65MPH along with factory installed highway tires, realistic speeds and driving habits, winter warm up times, general excessive idling, aggressive tires in my particular case, evic shows lifetime MPG's of 16.8-17.5ish, I can still see 21ish average with mostly 65MPH state highway driving but 18 is entirely realistic.

And in regards to towing MPG, 11-18 mostly dependant on weight and profile

Wow. Tires wise I am running Nitto Terra Grappler G2's since 25K @ 42PSI. I generally do a 2-3 minute warm up in winter and I set my cruise for 75 on the highway. Most of my travelling is done via secondary roads @ 45-50 mph average. At 75 on the highway, I am averaging about 24-25 as I said before. I don't tow anything heavy, just a pair of ATV's with a 700 lb trailer, 2-3 times a year. I do have a tri fold on the bed. Honestly, if my mileage was that low, I would trade it on a Titan XD or an older 2500 series truck or purchase a Canyon Duramax.

 

[jdn112011]

Wow. Tires wise I am running Nitto Terra Grappler G2's since 25K @ 42PSI. I generally do a 2-3 minute warm up in winter and I set my cruise for 75 on the highway. Most of my travelling is done via secondary roads @ 45-50 mph average. At 75 on the highway, I am averaging about 24-25 as I said before. I don't tow anything heavy, just a pair of ATV's with a 700 lb trailer, 2-3 times a year. I do have a tri fold on the bed. Honestly, if my mileage was that low, I would trade it on a Titan XD or an older 2500 series truck or purchase a Canyon Duramax.

I have 65 series tires and m/t's, that are 60# a piece. And my winter warm up times are 10-25 min with a block heater. I have 1500+ hours on my engine and 1/3 is idle hours. Factor that in and my MPG is entirely fair

 

[cevans]

To answer the OP question:

Biodiesel *may* leave increased contaminants in the engine oil, including contaminants that diesel fuel alone does not have. Engine oil is designed to handle a certain amount of contamination from the byproducts of diesel fuel combustion, but it is not designed to handle Biodiesel contaminants. Therefore, if you are running biodiesel you may want to run reduced oil change intervals.