I own a large auto/truck repair shop in Hawaii and lately alot of diesel vehicle owners have been using biodiesel. We are beginning to see a definite correlation between biodiesel usage and increased vehicle repairs and some engine failures. Over the past month we have had six vehicles towed to the shop that were using biodiesel (mostly 100%-I think b20 would be a better idea for these people) costing these owners alot for repairs:

06 Sprinter (13k mi) towed in twice in 2 weeks: $350 to replace fuel filter, scan & clear ck eng light, & flush out fuel rail; $1000 to replace fuel filter, scan & clear ck eng light, completely drain fuel tank & clean out, completely flush out fuel system with diesel cleaner, refill with petrodiesel & get vehicle running.

05 Dodge Ram(25k) towed in: $1000 to replace fuel filter, scan & clear ck eng light, completely drain fuel tank & clean out, completely flush out fuel system with diesel cleaner, refill with petrodiesel & get vehicle running.

98 Dodge Ram(110k) towed in: $1000 for ditto repairs.

06 Jeep Liberty(7k) towed in: $1300 for ditto repairs plus replace leaking fuel separater.

05 VW Jetta Tdi (42k) towed in: $3000 for ditto repairs plus replace turbo assembly . This one had a turbo wastegate failure-apparent heat warpage of wastegate moving parts (and there are alot of moving parts to these Tdi wastegates).

I like the idea of biodiesel, but as you can see it has been a very costly adventure for these people who stuck their necks out and used it. It appears that the use of 100% biodiesel will guarantee excessive repairs to vehicles. All of the above vehicles had poor quality fuel (fuel congealing at temps up to 85F) and the VW had alot of carbon build up and probably excessive exhaust temps causing the turbo wastegate failure. In order  to make biodiesel usage a reality it is imperative that fuel quality be monitored by the refiners and diesel vehicle manufacturers produce engines/fuel systems designed specifically for biodiesel usage.

 

$1000 to:

"replace fuel filter, scan & clear ck eng light, completely drain fuel tank & clean out, completely flush out fuel system with diesel cleaner, refill with petrodiesel & get vehicle running?"

 

Man, I'm in the wrong business.

 

 

 Towing  $125

Petrodiesel @ $4.35    $100

Cleaners  $20

Fuel filter  $50

Labor    6hr @ $105/hr=$630

Tax & Shop supplies     $70

------------------------------------------------------------

Total    $995

After the 6 vehicles, we ended up with 130gal of contaminated fuel which lucky for these 6 owners the biodiesel refiner agreed to pick up free. Otherwise, it costs $700-1000 to dispose of a 55gal drum of waste properly!!

In the cases where you had to replace the fuel filter (all I think), was the problem due to sediment from the fuel tank that had been freed up by the use of BD, or was it clogged with congealed BD?

You seem to be implying that the cause of the problems was the quality of the fuel used, and not necessarily the use of BD in general.  Is that a correct statement?

The reason I ask is that most of the expense was in your labor (except for the TDI turbo), and most of the tasks sound like something I could tackle on my own.  I'm willing to experiment with BD once I get my new Grand Cherokee as long as I am not risking permanent engine damage or costly repairs that I can't tackle myself.

 

Thanks 

 

What you're reporting is unusual. Low-conversion Biodiesel, or otherwise off-spec fuel, can cause some of the issues you've dealt with. Do the owners of these vehicles share a common fuel source?

I completely agree with this statement: 

In order  to make biodiesel usage a reality it is imperative that fuel quality be monitored by the refiners...

I really like the idea of using biodiesel for all the usual reasons, but being a 40yr professional repair shop owner I have seen alot of expensive problems that are occurring that are directly related to either poor quality fuel and engine/fuel system components that have failed prematurely. With a quality, standardized fuel and vehicle manufacturers that produce compatable engines/fuel systems and will honor factory & extended warranties then I would use biodiesel in my own vehicles. Until that time buyer beware!! B20 may be ok to use now, but vehicle manfacturers will not honor their warranties with biodiesel usage. Some are allowing 5-15% biodiesel usage and make sure you get that in writing. Hopefully, the demand for this fuel will get the proper attention that it warrants from oil companies and vehicle manufacturers. I am sure that will happen soon because there are huge amounts of profits available in all alternative fuels and sources.

All use the same fuel source and that refiner is one of the pioneers in commercially produced biodiesel. Supposedly a very reputable refiner.

Like I said ($105/hour!), I'm in the wrong business. 

Ya.  Biodiesel gelling at 85F?  Somethin very wrong with that.  I'd never put that in my tank. 

It only cost me $10 for a fuel filter on my 07 Dodge Megacab, and about 10 minutes to change the filter.  Wow, I just saved myself over $900 according to your wages.

I understand you have tremendous experience in automotive mechanics. Carbon build up in VW TDI's is common, and not due solely to biodiesel usage. 

It looks like a bad batch of biodiesel is to blame for these very costly repairs, not biodiesel in general.   But hey, keep on bashing biodiesel, there will be more of it for me to burn instead!

I am not bashing biodiesel. I really like the idea of this fuel and diesel power. The stark reality right now is that poor quality fuel (from good refiners & especially back yard brewers) and no vehicle manufacturer support means the following: If you intend to purchase a new expensive diesel and use biodiesel you are doing it on an experimental basis with the likelyhood that you will have a fairly large expense in repairs in the future; better to purchase an older diesel out of warranty and experiment with that. In several years I believe these problems will have been solved and biodiesel will be available at your local gas station!!

paulhawaii:

I am not bashing biodiesel. I really like the idea of this fuel and diesel power. The stark reality right now is that poor quality fuel (from good refiners & especially back yard brewers) and no vehicle manufacturer support means the following: If you intend to purchase a new expensive diesel and use biodiesel you are doing it on an experimental basis with the likelyhood that you will have a fairly large expense in repairs in the future; better to purchase an older diesel out of warranty and experiment with that. In several years I believe these problems will have been solved and biodiesel will be available at your local gas station!!

Hey, I take issue with the homebrewer statement.  Unless you care to show it was homebrew that did this, then take it back.  All the homebrewers I know take responsibility for their own fuel and do a better job with it and their vehicles.  I'd put my own fuel against any commercial fuel -- I bet it's better washed and is at least as well converted.

I have never clogged a filter on homebrew biodiesel. 

I bought biodiesel for about 2 years before I started making it.       Quite a few clogged filters.

I was buying it in 55 gallon drums.   I found out , don't use the stuff at the bottom of the drum and always carry extra filters ! ! !

old300D:

paulhawaii:

I am not bashing biodiesel. I really like the idea of this fuel and diesel power. The stark reality right now is that poor quality fuel (from good refiners & especially back yard brewers) and no vehicle manufacturer support means the following: If you intend to purchase a new expensive diesel and use biodiesel you are doing it on an experimental basis with the likelyhood that you will have a fairly large expense in repairs in the future; better to purchase an older diesel out of warranty and experiment with that. In several years I believe these problems will have been solved and biodiesel will be available at your local gas station!!

Hey, I take issue with the homebrewer statement.  Unless you care to show it was homebrew that did this, then take it back.  All the homebrewers I know take responsibility for their own fuel and do a better job with it and their vehicles.  I'd put my own fuel against any commercial fuel -- I bet it's better washed and is at least as well converted.

old300D

Unfortunately there are a lot of homebrewers around the world who don't take the care and or pride in their Biodiesel that you obviously do. I have spoken to a few people and they all start the conversation in a similar way "I have been making and using biodiesel for the last few months and I am having this problem blah blah blah" When you actually ask them to describe their process or do a few simple tests on their fuel you know they are making crappy fuel but still using it in their car.

I have to say I do agree with what paulhawaii is saying bad fuel from both homebrew and commercial sources does no good to the reputation of the industry as a whole and until it is cleaned up the manufacturers will never give warantees on higher percentage blends.

Hi fuzznag,

When I first started doing the 3/27 test I tested biodiesel being sold.   None of it passed the 3/27 test and that was not even at 67F.     Try it some time.  I have never seen commercial biodiesel that would pass the 3/27 test.

I  designed a setup that makes it easy to pass the 3/27 test.   Give it a try !   Then suggest to the people that are making crappy biodiesel to give it a try  !   

http://www.biodieselnow.com/forums/t/19664.aspx

Thanks, Steve

P.S.  girl Mark is all over the glycerin pretreat.    Homebrew is making great advances !   

Hi fuzznag,

I have some  hi-tech biodiesel questions.  Why are they calling it B-99 ?  What else is in there ?  How much do they really put in ?  Should B-99 pass the 3/27 test ?

I tasted a little and it does not taste like homebrew at all ?

Thanks, Steve

stephend:

Hi fuzznag,

I have some  hi-tech biodiesel questions.  Why are they calling it B-99 ?  What else is in there ?  How much do they really put in ?  Should B-99 pass the 3/27 test ?

I tasted a little and it does not taste like homebrew at all ?

Thanks, Steve

I can answer that.  B99 is 1% petroleum diesel added so the blender can claim the tax credit for 1 cent per percentage point of biodiesel and maximize the credit.  B100 is no longer considered it a "fuel additive", but a fuel.  And yes, the 3/27 should still apply.

Hi old300D,

Do they sell it where you are ?  What does it look like ?  It is more of a brown color where I live.  Not the golden color of homebrew. 

Thanks, Steve

stephend:

Hi old300D,

Do they sell it where you are ?  What does it look like ?  It is more of a brown color where I live.  Not the golden color of homebrew. 

Thanks, Steve

I don't who in my area sells it.  All the local vendors are selling B20 or B100.  I would think it would look exactly like B100 with a trace of diesel scent.

Fuzznag hit the nail right on the head: Vehicle manufacturers will never honor warranties with higher % blends because they all know the quality of biodiesel can be very poor and there is no current standardization and proper testing of the fuel that is being used. Most problems are from poor quality and incompatible fuel that can be remedied by replacing fuel lines and cleaning out tanks and fuel systems on a case by case basis. But, we have seen diesel injection pumps that leak due to the usage of biodiesel and this can be a very expensive ($3000-4000) repair. Also, there are many reports of the newer diesels having more carbon buidup, leaner running, and probable early turbo failure-we have seen this here in Hawaii. Oil companies and vehicle manufacturers collaborating to make a real alternative biodiesel fuel and engines that are compatible is the only answer to this. They have the knowlege and financing to make this happen. At $120/barrell for oil this may happen sooner than latter! 

 paulhawaii, please reference these reports of which you speak.  I have my ear to the ground in the Jeep forums regarding B100 use in the Jeep CRD (common rail, similar to Duramax and newer Cummins) and have heard of no problems related to B100 use.  And a fair number of owners are running B100, mostly homebrew, one in particular who has over 65k miles (50k on B100).  I am still using B50, and am going to increase my percentage as soon as can make enough.  If there are real concerns, I'd like to see the documentation -- all I've heard so far is fear-based innuendo and unrealistic, unproven theories.