[Bryan]

DKO. We have avoided “biodiesel” like the plague. We found in that area of the country they blend fuel. In Evanston Ind 2 years ago, needing fuel, we reluctantly added only 50 gallons to “get us” down the road to hopefully find real “Dino” diesel. We had no choice. Where possible, we will not knowingly pour in “biodiesel”

[Archived]

DKO, I once tried a tank of Bio stuff just after we got the bus. Next 800 miles I changed no less than 3 filters (maybe 4, foggy memory). My vintage coach obviously got a good cleaning along with my wallett but of course, i got good at fuel filter change! I don’t think it hurts anything, other than a good cleaning out. Others may chine in , I myself don’t intend to willing use it. Good questions though.

[Archived]

You will have trouble finding anything but biodiesel in many parts of the country. Some states have mandated it (Minnesota is one) and it is nothing more than welfare for corn farmers. It does not improve performance, it degrades it. I too try to use NON-biodiesel, but it is all over the place and unless you stop to check, you likely won’t know if it is or isn’t.

It isn’t as big an issue as it was as far as causing mechanical issues, but still cuts your mileage down. I wish there was a way to tell ahead of time if the fuel stop has it or not, but I have not seen any listings about it.

[Archived]

Ouch! That does not sound good. I added 147 gallons of the stuff as you can see.

I had heard it was mandatory in Minnesota so I avoided buying fuel there when I went through in July.

DKO

[Archived]

I also used the fuel card for the first time today. Loves in West Des Moines, Iowa, I-35 and I-80. With a light rain drizzle we pulled up to the pump.

This part was excellent because with the fuel card there was no need to get wet going inside today.

Entered all the correct info on the first try, pump began fueling. Took 139 gallons. I think the whole fuel stop was about 20 minutes. That is a record fuel stop in 13 years of RVing, for sure.

We have one complaint and that came from Maddie (the wonder dog). Usually she gets to do a pretty good pit stop. With normal fuel stops running about 30 thru 45 minutes we have cut her sniff time in half.

As you suggested recorded the pump number, total gallons, price.

[Archived]

DKO, I’ve been using biodiesel quite regularly for 8 years since that’s what my local truckstop has. Never a problem on the three coaches I’ve had during that time. First was a ’90xl with 8v-92 by Country Coach just like Rodger’s, and it worked fine for me. Next was the 400hp C-9 Cat with 07 emissions controls in my American Revolution, and now in the 12.6 liter Series 60 in my present coach. Note that the placard on the pump indicates the percentage of bio can vary from 5% to 20%. I might be getting the 5% and Rodger got the 20% blend. Just my experience, but I do not fear the bio.

[Archived]

The fuel composition is nothing we can control unless we make it a political issue and get back to only allow the burning of dinosaurs. It was a political issue that jammed biodiesel down the throats of our fuel tanks and it will take a political action to revert back to pure petroleum.

When the fuel formulation started getting significant changes I saw the fuel burn on my 97 XL go from a consistent 8 plus to a consistent 7.5. That was a result of changes in sulfur content as well as ethanol content. At today’s prices that loss of mileage can be compared to a price jump of 3 1/3 cents per mile or about $.28 more per gallon. Follow the money.

[Davy]

Good luck trying to chase down a non bio fuel stop in certain parts of the country. They are not required to identify the amount of bio used and whether is Loves, Petro, Flying J or Mom’s Fuel stop it most likely comes from the same hose pipe at the distribution point.

In 2008, ASTM adopted two separate specifications: (1) for biodiesel blends of B5 or less and (2) for biodiesel blends from B6 to B20.

Blends of B5 or less were incorporated into the diesel fuel standard, ASTM D975. Up to 5% biodiesel can be blended into No. 1 or No. 2 diesel fuel so long as:

• the biodiesel component meets the requirements of ASTM D6751 and
• the final blend meets the requirements of D975.

Labeling of the of the finished blend is not required so that it may not be possible for the purchaser to know whether or not the fuel contains biodiesel unless an analysis is carried out.

Requirements for blends from B6 to B20 are covered by the ASTM D7467 specification.

[Alicia]

Thanks, folks

The Loves website says the truck stop in Palestine, Arkansas has B14. Does that mean 14%?

Do all loves sell only Biodiesel or just in parts of the country where it is mandated?

Obviously for some Biodiesel is a deal breaker and for others it does not bother your bus at all. I know one thing. I do not desire to become an expert at changing fuel filters on the side of the road. It is encouraging to know that some of you have had no problems at all with Biodiesel.

DKO

[Archived]

In the midwest I’ve always noticed the labels. In some cities, Abilene, TX comes to mind, I noticed a big difference in pump prices between pumps with no labelling and those with the Biodiesel labels stating B10, B15, or Up to B20.

BioDiesel or BioMass Diesel containing 5% or less of Bio stuff need not be labelled as no diesel burning system has a warning against its use. If the percentage of bio stuff exceeds 5%, then it must be labelled. This is according to the following and assumes it has not been revised since adopted.

http://www.ftc.gov/os/2008/06/R811005fuelfrn.pdf

So, you can’t tell if the diesel has upto 5% of Bio stuff, but should be warned through labelling if it exceeds 5%.

[Archived]

I had a little time to check the Loves website today and they list the blend of biodiesel for every location. I snapped screenshots of three states as samples. HERE is the link to all locations. The biodiesel blend is the green column next to the diesel price.

Some locations have no blend designation. That might mean they have the real McCoy but I could find no confirmation of that. Browsing through the different states there is a wide variety of blends used.

DKO

[Archived]

I’ve noticed that whenever I get a tank containing bio-diesel, I will usually get a “Water In Fuel” warning light. The first couple of times I would drain the fuel filter with the warning sensor into a jar and visually check for water. Never had water.

I now try to pay attention to the pump labeling and anticipate the WIF warning light so I can ignore it. Maybe I’ll just unplug the sucker if it becomes the norm.

[Jerry]

I run my Foretravel cross country 3-5 times a year. That s one real I am looking at getting a bus soon but some lethal issues sidelined me since the beginning of the year. Anyway, I have used various blends B5 B10 andB 15 for years now with no issues. When I first put in a couple tankful s I changed my primary filter once. I am sitting at 145k miles now in this coach and have had no issues re biodiesel. In fact in my part of the country and areas I travel you can nt get anything but bio.

[Archived]

I would not shy away from a bit of bio diesel. With the move to ultra low sulfur diesel and its lack of lubricity there was some concern about its impact on the longevity of injection systems. Bio diesel adds that lubricity back. No need for expensive fuel additives.

[Archived]

“Lubricity” Is that the proper term to use when Jon’s prunes stop working?