Has anyone here ever used Bio-Diesel for there truck? or considered using it? And if so what was there experience? I was tossing around the idea of purchasing an aux tank for the bed of the truck and possibly using bio diesel. From what I understand it could save me a TON of money on fuel Not that my 06 doesnt get great milage, but if it could be better with no negative effects why not. The initial expense is about 1,000 dollars (for the tank setup) . I'm not sure if there is anything else I would need.

Also what about home heating fuel, I know there are some regulations (state and federal) which frown on this and even can fine someone for using it . But can it be used with no ill effects?

I wouldn't put home heating oil in my truck... there's no guarantee that you'll have enough lubricity to keep the injectors happy.

On Bio, it's only a money saver if you're brewing it yourself. At the pump, from most sources, it's 50% higher than #2.

If you are making it yourself AND can get free WVO, then it'll cost you about $0.70/gallon to make. If you have to pay for your WVO, then you'll have to add that cost to the .70... not sure what the yield from a gallon of WVO is, but I would not agree to pay more than a buck a gallon for waste (but I'm paying $2.90 for #2).

On Bio, it's only a money saver if you're brewing it yourself. At the pump, from most sources, it's 50% higher than #2.

If you are making it yourself AND can get free WVO, then it'll cost you about $0.70/gallon to make. If you have to pay for your WVO, then you'll have to add that cost to the .70... not sure what the yield from a gallon of WVO is, but I would not agree to pay more than a buck a gallon for waste (but I'm paying $2.90 for #2).

Yup, BD pumps in CA are pretty pricey.......If you are willing to go to the drum, you can get B99 for about 3.15-3.25 all taxed up.

Still too much.
At my fuel consumption rates, it's a money-saving issue, and once ULSD kicks in, I'll be dropping in 2 or 3 gallons every tank (52 gallon tank) to help with lubricity.

The environmental and political issues are totally back-burner when I'm burning $100-$150/week in fuel.

When B20 is available at the corner pump and it's either the only thing available or is cheaper than #2, I'll buy it.

Before I bought my dmax I anticipated buying bio but was dissapointed to hear in the threads on DP that it was likely significantly more expensive then #2. Long story short, I was happy to find, in TX anyway, bio is the same price or cheaper then straight #2. More difficult to find though.

One suggestion for you, becareful of bio in the winter. It gells (plugs fuel filter) at a much higher temp then dino. Other then that I love the stuff!

Still too much.
At my fuel consumption rates, it's a money-saving issue, and once ULSD kicks in, I'll be dropping in 2 or 3 gallons every tank (52 gallon tank) to help with lubricity.

The environmental and political issues are totally back-burner when I'm burning $100-$150/week in fuel.

When B20 is available at the corner pump and it's either the only thing available or is cheaper than #2, I'll buy it.

I dont know about you, but diesel is something like 3.10 around here.......so a 20 cent per gallon mark up aint bad at all........That boils down to an extra 10 bucks a week.

But I see what you mean. Drums would be a PITA for you

Saw a station in La Habra that was still $2.89 today. Local "cheapest" station is $2.93
Flying-J up in Lebec (Frazier Park) is $2.75 right now.
I'm going to Sonoma Monday night... I have 20 gallons left now, so I think I can stretch what I have until I head out. Fill up there, get to Sonoma and back, fill up there on the way back and only have 100 miles on the tank when I get home.

Hows that tank treating you?

It'll take me a while to get used to the gauge.
It took about 150 miles for it to drop off of 'F', and now with over 350 miles and the DIC indicating that I've used around 25 gallons (meaning it should be at half, and with the error caused by the programmer I've likely used 27 gallons), it's still closer to 3/4 than it is to 1/2.

When I bought it, there was 10 gallons remaining in the original tank and the new tank installed at just a hair under 1/4, but on the trip home (50 miles) it would swing widely (but not quickly) between just above 'E' and just below 1/4... low fuel light never came on, and it took 43 gallons, so I still had 9 left. With the length of the tank, I don't know how usable that last 3-5 gallons would be, especially on a hill.


I'll probably drive considering 1/4 to be a good refueling point... which is what I did on the stock tank.

I have been using B20 since the end of 2005 and it has been the same cost as petro.

-Wardster

Any of you experience a mileage drop with B100/B99 use? I have a 2005 VW TDI golf, and I experienced a slight drop.

No drop in the truck with B80 use, even when towing.........I think I may have gotten slightly better mileage, but it was only over a tank.....kinda hard to tell with that little of a sample size.

The TDI on the other hand lost about 3 mpg.

I have not used B80, I have used B100, B50 and B20. B50 was about the same, B20 improved my mileage, and I lost about 3 with B100.
I would love to see B20 mandatory in the State of Colorado, but I doubt it will happen. I would like to run B100 all the time, but at this time it is just not cost efficient.

If you go to Biodiesel.org, a map will appear. Click on your state and it will give you info on retail sites for biodiesel. I buy it for my truck in Ft Worth whenever I can. B100 has been .10-.15 cents per gallon less then B-20. My truck engine just runs better on it. My wife is filling up her 2003 Jetta TDI with B100 as I write this.

Dang.. nothing in my area.. I guess I will have to wait....
can you mix regular diesel with bio without any adverse problems?
jason

yup, as long as it does not get cold.......

I need to find a local source.. i live in silver city, nm.... any ideas??
jason