USE OF B20 DIESEL

[George Gaston]

Can anyone give me some input on the use of B20 diesel in my 2007 Contessa with the CAT C9 engine. The other day I was talking with the owner of my local 76 station and he informed me that some stations in Oregon, including the local Safeway, are now pumping B20 and that I should not use it for my engine. I am not sure whether he is just trying to get all of my business or if there is actually a down side to using the B20.
He told me I could end up with clogged fuel filters and maybe injector problems.
So if anyone can give me any inputs I would appreciate the advise.

[Grant Ralston]

George,

Search this forum for B20 and you will find recent discussions, warnings, and recommendations regarding the use of fuel greater than B10.

Grant

[Edward Buker]

George,

This is a Cat document best I can tell and it would seem without extensive testing B6 through B20 is approved in Cat motors. Table three should be read by all of us because it details the possible issues as the B level rises. I would avoid B20 unless there are no alternatives. In particular if storing the motorhome for a long time B20 could be an issue.

http://www.natbiogroup.com/docs/caterpillar%202010.pdf

Later Ed

[Gerald Farris]

George,
Using a single tank of B20 should not be a problem, but continuous use of B20 can cause injector deposits as well as it may shorten your oil change intervals. Therefore, if you use excessive amounts of B20 or a higher percentage blend, oil analysis is highly recommended, and Cat also recommends the use of the Cat fuel system cleaner (part number 343-6210).

The issue of having to run B20 diesel may be something that Beaver owners may have to get use to if the anti-petroleum lobby gets its way. There are leftwing leaning parts of the country where there is a very high probability that laws are going to or have been passed to require at least B20 fuel or a higher percentage of biofuel.

Gerald      

[Larry Fisk]

I fueled up at a TA travel center in Oregon and they only had a biodiesel. I didn't see anything on the pump stating the concentration so I asked about it in the store before I fueled up. They said it was only 5% bio so I fueled up. It must have been a coincidence but on my drive today from Salem, OR to Red Bluff, CA my "water in fuel" indicator light came on. I stopped at the Pilot in Weed, CA and fueled up. The indicator light went out down the road. Makes me wonder but probably just coincidence.

[Steve Huber]

When I'm in a tree hugger or corn based economy state I try to stop for fuel at about 1/2 tank so I have options if they have only bio diesel. I try to avoid the higher concentrations unless there are no other options.
Steve

[Edward Buker]

I looked at the Aqua Hot site ad could not find any statement regarding the use of B20. It could carbon up the chamber and nozzle a bit more given the concern about diesel injectors at higher B levels. Not sure.

Later Ed

[Larry Fisk]

Steve, that's a great idea. I  was down 1/8th of a tank so I left myself without options. Ended up buying 120 gallons of the bio blend. We're back on our way south and I have not seen the water in fuel indication since my last fill up at pilot

[LEAH DRAPER]

If I read and understood some one saying that Bio-Desiel is all that you can buy in California, I guess that I will NEVER travel to or through California.  I lived there for 30 years and was never so glad to get out of there.
Would seem that both generator and the Aqua Hot could be in for trouble with use of BIO diesel.

What the H... is this country coming to!!
Some times it isn't so bad to be as old as we are...we can get out quicker!
It's a real sad commentary for our good ole USA.

[George H. Wall]

Leah, WELL SAID!!!   Henry

[Chuck Jackson]

If I read and understood some one saying that Bio-Desiel is all that you can buy in California, I guess that I will NEVER travel to or through California.  I lived there for 30 years and was never so glad to get out of there.
Would seem that both generator and the Aqua Hot could be in for trouble with use of BIO diesel.

What the H... is this country coming to!!
Some times it isn't so bad to be as old as we are...we can get out quicker!
It's a real sad commentary for our good ole USA.

This isn't true. You can get non bio-diesel in CA. I buy it all the time for my truck and motor home.

[Bill Schneider]

As long as we are talking about fuel and CA. I left WA on my winter journey to FL last week. My wife and I both have family in northern CA, so we have to make the "Obligatory family visit". I have an RV Plus card from Pilot/Flying J so I try to use them and get 8 cents off the cash price(Good Sam Life Member). I fueled in Dunnigan at the Pilot. Regular diesel(no Biofuel). I might add that I always use the truck lanes for speed and convenience. I fueled again in Bakersfield at a Flying J.
The truck lanes would not accept my card. I went inside and was told that if I wanted to use my RV Plus card and get my  discount that I had to go to the RV lane (only 1 lane). As many of you know, there is hardly a worst place to refuel. As if this wasn't enough, the fuel was B20. Fortunately, I look for fuel at the half tank level, so it ended up being B10 through dilution. I have since left CA and fueled at Pilots in the truck lanes with no problems. I don't know if this is a Flying J issue or just the one in Bakersfield. I try to avoid Flying J's and use Pilots whenever possible and now I have another good reason.
Just a heads up for you fellow Beaver travelers unfortunate enough to have to travel in CA.

[Steve Huber]

Bill,
I suspect it was that particular Flying J. I've used my card in the truck lanes in TX and AZ with no problems. Apparently FJs are managed independently. I ran into a few in WI a couple of years ago that wouldn't accept  a VISA for fuel but would inside for food, etc. Go figure..
Steve

[Joel Ashley]

Many states have now passed mandatory minimums for biodiesel, including Oregon at 5%.   Some municipalities are known to mandate 10% or more.  That doesn't mean a station can't go higher or offer multiple grades above that.  Determining which grade is at which pump often can be challenging.  

This topic was pretty thoroughly vetted here in June of 2011.  Some venues may have further modified their regulations since

[Bill Schneider]

Continuing the Biodiesel saga. I just fueled at the Pilot in Van horn, TX. The pump had the B20 Sticker. Does anyone know if this is throughout TX? I have been fortunate up to now to fuel with regular diesel between the B20 stations. By refueling with half a tank, I can dilute the mix to B10, but that won't work here in TX if the B20 is throughout the state. The state is just to big. I will refuel again east of San Antonio. After that, I can get to Louisiana before needing fuel again. I started using Lucas fuel treatment when they went to ELSD, but not sure if that helps with this problem. If this is a Pilot/Flying J problem only, I will fuel at another station to avoid Biodiesel.
Thanks for any input on this.
Bill