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Biodiesel:  Performance & Warranty

How does using biodiesel affect engine performance?

Neat (100 percent) biodiesel offers similar power and performance to diesel fuel. When using blends of B5 and B20, engine performance and fuel mileage are virtually identical to that of regular diesel. In addition, biodiesel provides a significant lubricity improvement over petroleum diesel fuel (see below). Biodiesel also has a higher cetane number than most diesel fuels resulting in improved combustibility, smoother engine running and quieter operation. In more than 50 million on-road miles and countless marine and off-road applications, biodiesel shows similar fuel consumption, horsepower, torque, and haulage rates as conventional diesel fuel.

Lubricity:
Biodiesel provides superior fuel lubricity, even at very low blend levels. Sufficient fuel lubricity is necessary to reduce equipment wear and premature breakdown. Bench scale testing has shown that 2% biodiesel can improve the lubricity of diesel fuel by 65%, which improves further as more biodiesel is added. Based on this and other testing, Stanadyne - one of largest diesel fuel injection companies in the world - has stated:
1) “Incorporation of 2% biodiesel into conventional fuel will eliminate the concerns we have with fuel lubricity."
2) "Since biodiesel is a fuel, and not just an additive, incorporation of 2% biodiesel ensures adequate fuel lubricity while eliminating over-dosing concerns present with other additives."

Will using Biodiesel void my warranty?
No, not for simply using the fuel. The use of B20 will not void the engine warranty of any major US diesel engine manufacturer. Engine and vehicle manufacturers provide a material and workmanship warranty on their products. OEMs will not and cannot void warranties based solely on the use of biodiesel. If an engine that uses biodiesel experiences a failure unrelated to biodiesel use, it should be covered by the OEM’s warranty. Warranties are only violated if the biodiesel is the cause of the equipment malfunction. This is the same practice as with traditional diesel.

The following excerpts are from statements on biodiesel use made by leading manufactures of diesel engines.

FORD:
“Fuels containing no more than 5% biodiesel may be used in Ford diesel powered vehicles.
Consistent with WWFC (World-Wide Fuel Charter) category 1-3, “Fatty Acid Methyl Esters
(FAME) used in commercial fuel must meet both the EN 14214 and ASTM D 6751 specifications”.”

NEW HOLLAND:
“New Holland … fully approves use of up to B20 blends (20% biodiesel/ 80% petroleum-based diesel) on all equipment currently produced with New Holland engines.”

CUMMINS:
“Cummins neither approves or disapproves of the use of biodiesel fuel. Cummins is not in a position to evaluate the many variations of biodiesel fuels or other additives, and their long-term effects on performance, durability or emissions compliance of Cummins products. The use of biodiesel fuel does not affect Cummins Material and Workmanship warranty. Failures caused by the use of biodiesel fuels or other fuel additives are NOT defects of workmanship and/or material as supplied by Cummins Inc. and CANNOT be compensated under the Cummins' warranty.”

 

INTERNATIONAL:
“All blends up to B5 biodiesel should not cause engine or fuel system problems. International Truck and Engine Corporation will warranty engines using fuels up to and including B5 blend”

JOHN DEERE:
“Biodiesel fuels may be used in John Deere diesel engines only if the fuel meets the provisional ASTM D 6751 (German) specification…”

VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA INC.:
“…the diesel fuel commonly known as “B5 biodiesel” is acceptable for use in all our TDI vehicles.
Volkswagen hopes that by approving B5 biodiesel for usage in our TDI vehicles, we will encourage biodiesel development and increase the biodiesel industry’s role in developing high quality renewable fuels for motor vehicles.”

To view full statements from these and other engine manufacturers, please visit: http://www.biodiesel.org/
 

Are there other precautions I should be aware of?

Biodiesel use in cold weather.
The cloud point is the most widely accepted measure of cold weather operability limits. On average, a B2 blend will warm the cloud point by 1°C to 2°C, and a B5 blend will warm the cloud point by 2°C to 3°C when compared to regular diesel. Generally, a B20 blend will impact the finished fuel’s cold weather operational temperatures by 7°C to 12°C. Depending on the area of Canada in which biodiesel is used, blends of B5 and B2 may be preferential over B20 in severe winter conditions.

Contact Us for more details. We provide seasonal blends to our clients that guarantee no cold flow issues!

Biodiesel is a great solvent.
Biodiesel and biodiesel blends have excellent solvent properties. In some cases the use of petro-diesel, especially #2 petro-diesel, leaves a deposit in the bottom of fuel lines, tanks, and delivery systems over time. The use of biodiesel can dissolve this sediment and result in the need to change filters more frequently when first using biodiesel until the whole system has been cleaned of the deposits left by the petro-diesel. This same phenomenon has been observed when switching from #2 to #1 petro-diesel. Switching to B2 and B5 blends will not cleanse a fuel system as thoroughly as B20 (or higher blends) and generally no fuel filter issues arise. Despite this, it is still advised that operators check and replace fuel filters often, as part of a standard maintenance program.

Content Adapted From: The National Biodiesel Board.

For more information visit the NBB Performance and Warranty section.