Ford 1700- Using biodiesel

[James48843]

OK- I have been using B50 biodiesel this summer so far. The only difference I have seen in anything is that the smoke from the engine is a bit whiter on startup and under very heavy load.

I plan to increase the oil change interval- to 50 hours, due to some writesup I found in the owners manual about using fuel with less sulfer- that you should increase oil changes.

But is there anything else you would do when running biodiesel (B50)?

 

[irvingj]

You might want to check out the TDI (VW) forums-- tdiclub.com--

My PD-engined VW doesn't want anything over 5% biodiesel, but many TDI owners use B100.

One issue that crops up is that biodiesel will clean out your tank, including any sludge that may have accumulated with dino-diesel- check fuel filter(s) often. Some additives may also be a good idea, to prevent things from growing in your fuel. Beyond that, I don't know, but there's a ton of good info on the tdi club's site.

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

I hope you mean you are going to be changing the oil more frequently. I am not a fan of bio. With the loss of power,changing filters more often and replacing injectors more often I just can't see any advantage in bio.
Bill

 

[JC-jetro]

1700 drinks up so little that I'll stick to dino for all the reason Bill had. If we hit "Mad Max" era then I'll cook up my own diesel using any oil I can get my hand on.

JC,

 

[James48843]

I hope you mean you are going to be changing the oil more frequently. I am not a fan of bio. With the loss of power,changing filters more often and replacing injectors more often I just can't see any advantage in bio.
Bill

Yes, I mean changing oil more frequently. The manual says if you use low sulfur diesel, then you are supposed to increase oil changes to every 50 hours. The low-sulfur diesel out there now is low enough, now with biodiesel, I figure I have to do it at 50 hour intervals.

The advantage of using biodiesel is that no foreign nationals are killed, and no American blood has to be jeopardized to get it. I am a retired U.S. Army officer, and I will NEVER again blindly use petroleum products if there is an alternative on the market. Ever. Period. I don't care if it's 50 cents more, or a buck more a gallon. It's still a whole lot cheaper than American solder blood.

I use only E85 in my car, and now burn biodiesel in my Ford 1700. I am using B50 now just to see how well it operates on B50. I may jump up to B100 if the B50 test works out ok- but I want to put some more hours on in for a while first and see how it works out.

 

[RickB]

Get rid of all the rubber hoses in the system and replace them with vinyl. Bio will dissolve rubber fuel line.

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

James I dont know where you are (fill out your bio) But if you are any where that gets below 30 deg you will have problems when it gets cold.How many hrs do you put on your tractor in a year?
Bill

 

[lewkohl]

Yes, I mean changing oil more frequently. The manual says if you use low sulfur diesel, then you are supposed to increase oil changes to every 50 hours. The low-sulfur diesel out there now is low enough, now with biodiesel, I figure I have to do it at 50 hour intervals.

The advantage of using biodiesel is that no foreign nationals are killed, and no American blood has to be jeopardized to get it. I am a retired U.S. Army officer, and I will NEVER again blindly use petroleum products if there is an alternative on the market. Ever. Period. I don't care if it's 50 cents more, or a buck more a gallon. It's still a whole lot cheaper than American solder blood.

I use only E85 in my car, and now burn biodiesel in my Ford 1700. I am using B50 now just to see how well it operates on B50. I may jump up to B100 if the B50 test works out ok- but I want to put some more hours on in for a while first and see how it works out.

James,
I couldn't agree with you more. I'm running B99 in my L39 and my ZD 331. It's only been a few weeks, but I haven't noticed any differences. I'm also using B20 in my new Chevy 2500 pickup. I just can't get any guidance on the compatibility of pure biodiesel in the latest generation diesel.

 

[James48843]

James,
I couldn't agree with you more. I'm running B99 in my L39 and my ZD 331. It's only been a few weeks, but I haven't noticed any differences. I'm also using B20 in my new Chevy 2500 pickup. I just can't get any guidance on the compatibility of pure biodiesel in the latest generation diesel.

Just an FYI - I am now at 3400 hours on my ford 1700, and the last 1,000 has been with b50 to b99. (B99 in the heat if summer- July & August, b50 spring and fall, b20 in winter.


No problem expect for now I am having problems finding blends higher than b20 anywhere.

My old station stopped carrying b99 (and blender pump below that)

Now I can only get b20 - and I have to drive 30 miles to get to that.

Bummer.