It's got a 5.9 liter engine and 150,000 miles and I bought it specifically to start burning biodiesel. I've had the truck for about two weeks and love it. It was well taken care of, but the gas mileage is not as good as I was hoping for - it gets about 14 mpg's. I filled it up today with biodiesel, and practically watched the gas gauge go from full to 3/4 in only 50 miles. Is there a "conversion period" of a tank or two or three for the mileage to level out?!
I have an 07 CTD. I run B20 regularly and have tried B100 a few times. I get 14-15 around town and 17-18 or a little more on road trips.
When I have run the B100, I notice maybe a .5 mpg less difference. My driving habits are too varied to notice much more precise mpg changes.
Although not yet proven, it is being suggested that my supplier may not be providing me with sufficiently dried B100. (Possibly leaving too much emulsified water in the B100 causing my truck to smoke white when cold.) See thread: http://www.biodieselnow.com/forums/t/18175.aspx Until I can figure out this issue, I am staying away from B100. But, want to go back to B100 when I get this determined.
As far as I have ever noticed, there is not really any "leveling out" period. It is what it is when the fuel is changed. I will recommend that you change out the fuel filter after a tank or 2. Biodiesel has a solvent effect. Dinosaur diesel leaves deposits/gunk along the tank walls and fuel lines. Switching to Biodiesel will break loose and clean these deposits which will plug your fuel filter.
Check your fuel filter.
I have a 1997 dodge 2500 4x4 CTD 12 valve and get 16 to 17 around town and 21 to 23 hy on diesel and will be running bio soon.You do have to drive the diesel different that a gas rig.You have to be easy on getting up to speed and let it coast up to lights.If you got your foot in it all the time it will just kill your milage.Check you air pressure if there not full max that can hurt 1 to 2 mpg easy.
Terry
hi,im currently looking at the same truck as youv got,01 dodge 2500 diesel,how did you convert it?what would i have to do to get it runing on bio diesel?or is it only straight veg oil that you need to convert your engine for?please give me some info thanks alot.
tollgirlz,
Typically, the energy content of 100% biodiesel is about 10-15% less than that of regular diesel (D2). Although, some argue that the lubricity of BD offsets it by 2-5%. But for simple math, if you normally get 15 mpgs on D2, you should expect around 13-14 with pure biodiesel (or B99)....if normally 20, then 17-18 with B99.
I have found some of my best mpgs in both my vehicles (05 Dodge Ram & 06 Jetta TDI) when running B20 (20% biodiesel). Most studies show that the energy loss when running 5-20% biodiesel blend is negligable, but the benefit of the added lubricity may put you in the positive direction on mpgs.
The first time you run BD through a vehicle (especially an old one), it will loosen up and build-up of crud in your lines. It's normally recommended to ease into running pure biodiesel so it doesn't jar all the crap up and cause blockage (in the lines or within your fuel filter). You may want to think about changing the fuel filter anyway. BD is a natural solvent (which is normally good), but with 150,000 miles of regular diesel running through it....it may be hindering performance.
It may just be coincedence, but did you fill your tank in the same fashion as previous times with regular diesel? The reason I say that is when I'm patient, I can squeeze 2-3 gallons of fuel in my truck, if I wait for it to 'bubble down'. But if I'm in a hurry (or someone else is pumping), I don't get as much in the tank. So if it was a quick fill-up, you may not have actually 'filled up'....hence the quick retreat to the 3/4 mark on your gauge.
...then again, it could be a combination of all the above (less enegy, dirty fuel filter, short fill).
Hope this helps.
No mods at all its just like plug and play, but just be care full on your first kms it might be addictive, to give you more info of it try read Autopartswarehouse
I would suggest you get a fuel pressure gage installed as soon as you can. The lift pumps go out on these things but not from bd. A bad LP can take out the injection pump and that is a $2,000 bill.
I have at least 30,000 miles on my '01 running B100 full time.