Renewable Diesel Use

[David Little]

Has anybody been using the new Renewable Diesel? It is not biodiesel, but a product made with used vegetable oils, and supposedly very similar to petroleum-based Diesel #2. Shell gas stations have all gone to the Renewable diesel. I have a Cummings C-6 8.3 Liter engine in my 37-foot long 1995 Beaver Patriot Trenton. Diesel #2 is very hard to find in my area, so I may be forced to try the Renewable diesel, but only if it has been proven to not damage the fuel system or the engine. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[David T. Richelderfer]

This link to an article seems to well explain the difference between petroleum diesel, biodiesel, and renewable diesel... including ignition properties, fuel origins, manufacturing processes, cold weather gelling properties, costs, and importantly, their compatibility with diesel engines.

Interestingly, the article says, renewable diesel is more compatible with diesel engines than biodiesel.

https://staroilco.net/renewable-diesel-vs-biodiesel/

[Steve Huber]

David,
Suggest you stay away from bio-diesel as there have been a number of reports of it causing deterioration of fuel components in coaches of your age. A search for "bio diesel" on this Forum will provide more info.
Steve

[Zeb Severson]

I've been aware of the issues which have created a stigma around biodiesel, legitimate or not.

After going deeper into R99, renewable (specifically according to Neste and Propel's HPD SDS) has been wonderful in my coach and I like knowing there is less particulate to create soot. There is only one place I can easily get Propel's HPD (in Hemet) otherwise I will use Shell or local fleet. I have significantly less black smoke and it runs smoother and seems to have a little more power. I do use Optilube XPD as well.

You can find HPD on Propel's website and app. Neste isn't easily available at the pump in SoCal.

For anyone on the edge of passing the CA Clean Truck emissions I would strongly recommend running R99 before having the certification test performed.

[David Little]

Thanks for the information! I am aware of the pitfalls with Biodiesel. I will not ever run that. This new Shell R-99 renewable diesel is what I am looking at. Supposedly, it has all of the positives of diesel #2 (a petroleum only product). It is supposed to be stable in Low temperatures, has more Cetanes, will not gel or clog up our fuel filters like the Biodiesels and is chemically identical (almost) to Diesel #2. It is supposed to be able to be mixed with Diesel #2 with no issues. I hope that these claims by the manufactures of R99 are true. Diesel #2 is becoming extinct in Southern California!
One Member said he is running an R99 like product from Hemet, CA. Has anybody tried the Shell R99 diesel? If so, how did it go? Thank you