e350bluetec

I have a 2011 e350 and have the option to run bio diesel at one of my fill stations. Can I run it and at what blend? And who on thus site has run this and what if any modifications are needed? I have a co-op in town that also makes it and delivers it to your house cost is about 2.00 delivered USD but I can buy it at the station for 3.29-3.49. Any and all thoughts welcome good or bad.

Brunhilde

If you have the BlueTec version of the e350, you can run B5 in it with no modification. Anything more than B5, will void the warranty. That's not to say it won't run on straight veggie oil--just saying that Mercedes considers that to void the warranty.

If you have the regular version of the e350, then the modification would be a whole new engine.

e350bluetec

B5 is a waste of effort for the mixture, better off at full diesel at that point. Has anyone used b20 mixture?

Brunhilde

I agree wholeheartedly--that's why I have a very elderly 240D that hasn't seen a warranty in 20 years.

lkchris

Just note ... MBUSA has required dealers to purchase VERY sophisticated equipment to determine quality of fuels that have been used in these vehicles. You won't cheat the system.

e350bluetec

Not looking to pull the wool over MBusa, but use a fuel that is friendly and cost effective. We have a co-op here in town where I can get the gas at a good price, and I predict we will see $4.00 a gallon in 3-6 months, as we see a false bottom in the market, and futures are in demand hedging against the cost of crude. So it would be nice to fill up on b20 for under $3.00

harkgar

Why risk losing your warranty on an expensive car? The marginal savings in fuel are not worth the dangers of engine and/or emission equipment damage. If you really want to do the veggie oil thing you should buy a 1980s MB diesel.

harkgar

If I were you I would buy the best petroleum diesel, Shell Gold or Sunoco Gold. Your new car is worth the best diesel. It is not an old 3500 truck.

harkgar

I would not even do it to my 2006 CDi.

dtrentr

That $2.00/gal bio probably doesn't include highway taxes. They frown on running the red stuff here in AR in cars, though you'd probably never get checked in a Mercedes.

Brunhilde

Re: highway taxes, even including highway taxes here, it's something like $2.70/gal delivered. If you can get an old oil tank from someone upgrading their furnace, it does save money and it's super-convenient having a fuel tank right by the garage. I personally like getting that stuff delivered as the one diesel station on my commute always has a line of cars, a horrible traffic pattern and creepy weirdos hanging around.

If you are adventurous, you can always make your own from restaurant grease. Although in my area, you have to beat the college kids to the restaurant--half the MIT kids have the same idea.

But yeah, wouldn't want to void my warranty on a new car. Why not look for an old MB diesel on Craigslist or eBay? A 1980something shouldn't cost more than $5-6,000. The only tricky bit with old cars is finding a real honest old mechanic with lots of gray hair--someone who knows how to diagnose a problem without the aid of a computer. Those are thin on the ground...

Good luck

lkchris

Problem with the old cars is that they are REALLY slow and burn more fuel than the newer ones at the same time. Plus, most of them need repairs to greater than the value of the car.

Brunhilde

The TDs aren't so slow. I drove one on I-95 during rush hour in Boston and lived. True they are not the most efficient vehicle ever, but my 240D gets 34-36mpg on regular diesel. Also true that they need >$5k in repairs, if you are not handy enough to DIY. Still much MUCH cheaper than buying a new car, as the OP mentioned price was a concern. If you are handy, or have a real good honest mechanic who knows old cars, it's by far the cheaper option than buying new.

Also a fun project if you happen to really love classic foreign cars. Just sayin'.

2slowcdi

Bio Diesel and Veggie Oil are very different things.
Bio Diesel is made from organic source and from the start it is made into diesel.
Veggie oil is used in place of diesel and is filtered from deep friers and takes a different fuel tank to put it in most times it replaces the spare tire, kits are sold for this.

I would not use the Veggie oil, I have used Bio Diesel in a older VW and used up to 50%
or B50 and it worked well up until I got a bad tank full.
I my CDI I have used B5 "5% Bio diesel" it was at a filling station and I don't think I will ever use anything stronger.

With Bio diesel you will lose mileage I'm not sure what the % is but it goes up as the % does, and Bio is not good in cold weather so the most people use B20 in the winter or less.
I would check and see what MB states the % you can use I'm sure that it is at least B5 and maybe up to B10 but I would guess no more.

harkgar

Has anyone here used home furnace heating oil (red diesel) for a prolonged period of time, say 3 years? This is a viable alternative for the older, pre-2007 MB cars. Presumably heating fuel has more sulfur than automobile diesel as well? What is the difference in tax between the two fuels in the USA?

lkchris

It's illegal.

240D 3.0T

B5 is the most the engine can run without voiding the engine warranty.
Using raw or waste vegetable oil, often falsely called "biodiesel", cannot be used in any vehicle.

Its not a viable option for ANY vehicle that uses public roads.

harkgar

If laws are changed to legalize red diesel would it be a viable alternative (i.e. will not damage the fuel system or engine) for pre-2007 diesel engines? I would never do anything illegal, of course.

harkgar

I often wonder why diesel CAR AND TRUCK engines are singled out for emission castrations and heating oil furnaces not. After all, most home oil furnaces have lifespans far in excess of diesel vehicles.

On second thoughts, I would not do it either if I were a politician - scumbag. All the home owners would have their knives out to castrate me!

harkgar

In other words do disbelieve anything until you see it on CNN or MSN or until fatso Alfonso (Gore) gets a Nobel "****" prize for lying about Climax Change.

240D 3.0T

Um, red diesel is red for a reason...its to identify thieves stealing taxes. There is no possible way to legalize red diesel except to eliminate it and make everyone pay road taxes and use normal diesel.

Because cars and trucks outnumber furnaces several hundred to 1. On top of that, furnaces are around 75-98% efficient compared to 25-45% for engines.

harkgar

I guess you may be correct - most old building furnaces and pipes were "efficient" because they are lined with this wonderful (but unfortunately also outlawed) white material called asbestos. You know, the same efficient stuff in old brake pads? This is why furnaces are 75-98% "efficient". Most commercial building furnaces last over 20 years, several times the lifespan of most passenger cars.

What I am saying is that politicians pick on the easiest and most defenseless targets. Your tax paying fervour is grossly misguided. You should attend some Tea Party meetings and get educated.

harkgar

There are lots of socialists in Canada if you don't mind joining them and the cold winters in Yellow Knife and Nunavit. Plenty of hunting and fishing if you pay your license fees. There are literally a hundred thousand ways to pay taxes here and you will enjoy them very much! If you do not like moon shine you can also buy taxed alcohol, sometimes paying over 100% tax!

240D 3.0T

No, they pick the most obvious and beneficial to their political career.

Those two words have no connection in your context. Now if you had said Sheep and fed ignorant garbage, then you'd have said something that applies to the real world.