FYI - From California Air Resources Board (CARB) website...

http://www.arb.ca.gov/fuels/diesel/092904biodsl_bosch.pdf

- jeff

That dont look good.

By looking at this report you would expect some drastic performance and operational hits when using B20.

From my usage of B20--almost since new--and 36kmiles---I can say that the truck runs better. Mileage is over 20 consistently for hwy/speed limit. I have three filters that show no signs of sludge or other contaminents/water.

My fuel also meets the D975.

Now there are large variations in the quality of fuel. The report..list one supplier as the source of the fuel....maybe I missed something.

Granted...this is the first attempts by a manufacturer to set some specifications on the fuel and that is a good thing.

I am thinking of posting this on one of the biodiesel forums and have some experts on the fuel comment on what Bosch is asking for.

It could certanly be a bad batch. Would have been nice if they did testing with more than one suppliers fuel.

Ron, where do you get your fuel tested? Is the ASTM D975 test different than the usual BD test? (I dont remember the number)

It seems to be all about stability trouble.....and this is a concern of mine, Ive got a 55g drum for use over the long term. (<6 Months)

Manny,

The stability issue is key....but there was a military study on B20 and found that is what more stable than D#2. I believe it was an Air force study because the military has been told to blend the fuel. I found the report on one of the biodiesel sites.

It all comes down to supplier....but if there are things not in the current spec that Bosch feels should be there to protect the equipment...then good.

There are two different specs...one of D#2 which is D975 and the one For B100....I do not have that number right now.

What is being worked on is a spec for B20---which does not exist. Currently the thought is You start with B100 meeting its Spec and D#2 meeting its spec and the blend should be ok.

I sent my sample to Preventative Maintainence...the B20 sample was tested for the D975..which is kind of pushing it since it really is not D#2.

They also will test B100--per the existing spec. I am going to take a sample of the B100 from Tbrown oil and send it in. They also can do a microbe test(more money) along with an ISO number for the fuel...which is what I am going to do.

I cannot help but question the report when only one supplier is listed and Bosch is probably super sensitive with exposure to liability in the US market when the state of our fuel standards is lacking. Now you add Bio....and well...If I were them...I would be super cautious also.

Search the biodiesel threads on www.tdiclub.com They've discussed the Bosch report + many people's experience - on VWs, which seem to do well with biodiesel here. There's still a lot of unknowns, but also a lot of high mileage cars in reported good shape.