Azla

I'm thinking about using some biodiesel for my car(Look in signature) does any of you other diesel owners tried this?

Best Regards

dtrentr

MBUSA only warrants to 5% bio diesel here in the US. I have used the 20% a couple of times and have had no noticeable harm and what I thought was increased mileage. Most folks will say that biodiesel has increased lubricity vs the ultra low sulfur diesel and that stands to reason that you would see an increase in mileage. Most times I just use ULSD at our local Valero cause it's about 40¢ cheaper than the stations that carry bio diesel.

Azla

Ah I see, yeah I've tried the 5 % here in Europe, but you say the 20 % is no problem for the engine?

dtrentr

I didn't know I was using the B20 till after I filled the tank. I didn't have any problems, but will wait to use it regularly till I am out of warranty.

Azla

Yeah, mine's expired, but I understand why you wait - just in case

lkchris

B5 is Mercedes' limit worldwide.

Trust them rather than Internet advice.

mbnj

My brother in law out in Oregon used it- until he broke down and had to get towed in. MB wouldn't cover the repair because it was caused by uncovered use of biodiesel. He stopped using it.

dtrentr

ULSD today was $1.959 at Valero, B20 biodiesel at the local "green" fuel retailer was $2.399. I'll stay with the ULSD and keep my warranty intact.

TMAllison

If you want to take risks why not just go whole hog and dump a bunch of french fry oil in the tank?

Most folks will tell you bio changes combustion timing resulting in a quieter idle. This is often confused with lubricity which bio does increase to some small extent.

FWIW - I see a 10% reduction in economy using commercially B99 as compared to D2.

Note my engine is not a CDI.

MBZ_lover

I had a 99 E300 that I ran B99 pretty much exclusively for a few years with no problems at all. CDI now and I run about B10 now with no problems. It is a confidence thing and understand that. I often lease Prevost buses and run biodiesel in them with the owners consent of course.

TMAllison

I've also had no prob with my 99 using B99, other than probably hastening the failure of fuel line orings and the 10% drop off in power and mpg's.

The CDI I6's and Bluetec V6's don't seem to do as well though.

Goatman

How do they do with MB's synthetic trans fluid?

TMAllison

Ya need something new slappy. The fish recognize your bait.

How about something new like.......Goatman, Leaving lil "pellets of wisdom" behind everywhere he goes.rolf:

Berde

I have used 50% BIO with no problem, but my car has the old engine tech. Despite noticing no problems, I have decided to run 15%-20%. The lubrication is excellent when mixed with regular diesel (low sulfur) nowadays. The sulfur adds to the lubricating properties, which this new LS diesel has less. With that in mind, running a couple of gallons of BIO Diesel per tank is not a bad idea as it will lubricate better. B5 is better than no BIO at all. Interesting that consumers use 10% ethanol gas (mandated by US now), but only MB authorize 5% BIO diesel. I wander what they will think if B10 is mandated by DE or EPA. Here in San Antonio (BIO diesel is $1.70 / Diesel is $2.06 per gal).

Remember that temperature plays a big roll in BIO D, so do not use high concentrations in the winter time or when temperatures are near freezing. However, B5 is safe even during the winter time...

240D 3.0T

Biodiesel cannot handle the extreme pressure of common rail engines, thats why MB does not support more than 5%. What works with old IDI engines does not apply to CDIs.

Goatman

Biodiesel will work on ANY diesel engine. Same as peanut oil will.

TMAllison

Goat Pellets! The first diesel engine was designed to run on peanut oil by Rudolf D.; no manufacturer since then has designed a production engine for THAT fuel.

Your statements would be factually correct with the caveat "For a little while,".

Goatman

As correctly stated by myself, diesel engines will run on peanut oil.