Leah, Richard Ames referred us to their position on biodiesel in a previous thread:
http://catrvclub.org/new_fuel_recommendations[1].pdf This is the CAT side of the question.
Basically, CAT is neither pro nor con on the subject. But they do proffer cautions and commentary on the characteristics of biodiesel. The use of various fuel types they say does not affect the warranty, unless an engine failure is attributable to the fuel :-/, which I take to mean the use of a fuel that doesn't meet technical guidelines. You'll find most blended fuels do meet regulated and prescribed guidelines. If CAT denied a warranty claim on the basis of an unprescribed fuel, then I would assume one would have a basis to sue the fuel supplier for costs, assuming the supplier was legally required to meet such guidelines.
CAT mentions also that blends with biodiesel content over 5% get into the realm of being problematic, from CAT's point of view. So far, Oregon is at 5%, and I don't know which others are also at 5% or higher (refer to Gerald's post above). CAT's cautions revolve around biodiesel's 5-7% worse mileage than diesel, due to less energy content, and its higher attractiveness for water and greater tendency to gel. My take on that is that as long as standard additives are used, either by the supplier or the owner, algae and gelling shouldn't be any more of a problem with 5% blend than pure diesel. The mileage loss is also relatively insignificant when you factor in the 5-7% loss mitigated by the fact that only 2-5% of your fuel is affected; ie, out of a 100 gallon tank full, no more than 5 gallons of it could suffer from the small energy deficit. That's a mileage loss of about 0.25%, an unnoticeable drop from, say, 7mpg to 6.98mpg. But factor in blends of 10-30% as others mention running into in prior posts, the mileage affect could be noticed; one then has to wonder just where the "green" aspect of biodiesel is for our country if we have to buy more fuel more often.
Some car dealers have complained of additional smoking and noticeable mileage loss on their vehicles, such as Ford diesel trucks, etc. Generally, I think the jury is still out overall on biodiesel. But if very many more states mandate blends higher than 5%, I think there will be quite a stink (pun intended
).
-Joel
