Bio Diesel

[BillyK]

I would not in my 1990 Hunter because the fuel system was not built for biodiesel use and I really don't want to find out how many filters I would have to change out before all the years of gunk was cleaned out of the system.
For more information on biodiesel go to www.biodiesel.org

this implies that biodiesel will clean out our fuel systems... might be something good to do after 20 years no?

 

[silverbeard]

this implies that biodiesel will clean out our fuel systems... might be something good to do after 20 years no?

Like I said, it will clean out the fuel system, but I'm not sure that would be good for a older fuel system. Also, B100 (100% biodiesel) would much more aggressive than B5 would be.

 

[Bob J.]

Bob - Why do you care if it's died red or green. I'm almost certain it's all ultra low sulfer diesel. The red diesel doesn't have road tax on it & it used to have a higher sulfer content but I think it's ulsd now.

Red dyed fuel up here is general home heating oil & it's also sold at the pump as off-road diesel. Off-road fuel now has a higher sulfer content compared to the diesel at the pumps.

For those that have older engines (MD7A) I was just curious if the diesel at the marinas was dyed fuel & if it isn't what the implications are for an older engine. Off-road fuel was in the tank on our boat when we bought it.

 

[Doug L]

I work as a technical assistance consultant in the diesel engine group of a major American automobile and truck manufacturer. The best advice I have seen here comes from Silverbeard, who stated, in part, "There is a ASTM standard for biodiesel and I would NOT use a biodiesel that did not meet that standard in any diesel engine... Many manufacturers of diesel engines have approved the use of a 5% blend in their new engine." Note that is 5%, and fuel that meets ASTM standards. NOT old fryer grease that has been run through a coffee filter. I have seen diesel engines destroyed by what was claimed to be bio-diesel. I would not run it is a sailboat, for all the reasons stated in other posts.

 

[Witzend]

... we do sell to blenders and do stock the dye. Yup, that's the only difference. There is an DOT spec on the dye, known in the industry as solvent red #26. Don't get caught with red in your truck!

Last time I bought at a roadside station it was green?