N_Jay

I have read a lot of the discussion and the back and forth between "Be Happy, Don't Worry" and "Run for your life the world is ending", but my question is a little simpler to get an answer for (I hope).

If you live in IL and have to run 5% to 20% Bio (I have heard that 11% is very typical at the pumps), other than filling up out of town as often as possible, what other things should I be doing?

1) Extra oil changes?
2) Extra fuel filter changes?
3) ?
4) ?
5 ?

Carsy

I change my engine oil a little earlier than specified in the manual. ie @ 10,000km which is nearly 12 months anyway .

Make sure you use the MB specified engine oil ie Spec 229.51.Use a MB oil filter.

Change the ATM oil every 39,000 MILES . Use the correct Spec oil. Be sure to drain the Torque convertor.

Flush brake fluid every 2 years.

Fuel & air filter as per book.

Check that coolant is the 250,000km /15 year interval one.

Good luck.

JC

dgiturbo

I change my oil every 5000 miles myself, not because of the biodiesel, but because I want my turbocharger and other engine parts to last over 200000 miles.

I change my fuel filter every 20000 miles because it's MB recommended, also myself, and I have NEVER seen any issues inside the old one when I inspect it. Clean inside and flows fuel freely.

IL gives a LARGE tax break for over B10, that's why B11-B20 is so popular here. And don't think B20 is just an IL thing. Several, if not all States also have this, they just didn't publicized it like IL. Here is a link to the Dept. of Energy web site that you can search to see what percent and tax incentives are given to States and fuel stations if they sell blended biofuels (bio or ethanol).
Since all American brand pickups are rated for B20 now, I seriously doubt these station owners are going to refuse paying less tax so that us small percent of Euro diesel owners on the road can get our B5.
And the BlueTec/TDI owners out there are none the wiser with their B20 fillups, driving thousands of trouble free miles daily.
So save yourself the trips to MO.

Carsy

N Jay ,

Have you decided on a maintenance program ?

N_Jay

Not yet, but close.
I get the car this weekend, but with this particular GL I am less worried, so I will probably take a month to decide.

JimBarnhart

Hi everyone, I've been doing a little research on this topic since Minnesota has a mandate to go to B10 in the summer. It keeps getting delayed, which is a good thing.

I have found a biodiesel specialist with the Minnesota Dept. of Ag. He has provided some useful information to me.

One thing of particular interest to this thread is that Audi and VW have stepped up for Illinois residents and honored the warranty even with higher blend biodiesel. Hopefully MB will follow their lead soon. He is expecting that if/when Minnesota enacts the mandate that they will likely honor warranties here as well.

Here's a copy of a letter from Audi to it's Illinois customers:

Carsy

Jim, Thats good news for North America.

N_Jay

Interesting about watching for a rise in oil level.

Good information.

Nuke

Thats extremely wasteful with synthetic oil.

kurtismayfield

+1

VicLaw

I live in Illinois and drive a 2011 E350 diesel (35K miles).Last car was a BMW 750 so I went from 25 MPG to 36/37 MPG highway while savinga dime per gallon. Think I’m not happy – think again. As we are retired we arelooking to do more driving and see the country. We think that a SUV with 4matic would be better suited for long distance travel especially a planed Alaska trip.

The MB dealers are asking me to sign a Warranty waiver that coversthe engine, fuel system, pollution controls, and exhaust for using biodieselfuels B6 through B100 - over 5%. This for the best engineered $65,000 SUV moneycan buy. This occurred because of “design changes for the 2013 diesels and my2011 is OK”. Across the street Audi sales man said they have no issues with thenew Illinois biodiesel standard ditto for Porsche.

Research: the Mecedes PDF file (if you haven’t seen it http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/service_and_parts/overviewleft column Facts about Biodiesel) is very disconcerting with all the colorphotos.

However, the Porsche site ( http://www.porsche.com/international...ology/biofuel/ ) tells a different story: “… Already, allPorsche engines can be fuelled with a blend of 10 per cent ethanol and, infact, the Cayenne –suitable for driving almost anywhere on the planet – can useup to 25 per cent biofuel (ethanol), depending on the country… ”. And Chryslerworks with B6 through B100 (http://green.autoblog.com/2007/09/25...ounts-and-a-b/)

Last month (after my 30k service) my engine light came onand the oxygen sensor was replaced under warranty. Two weeks later the engine lightcame again intermittently. I missed my Friday appointment and light went off overthe weekend. Week later, yearetday, filled up andthe engine light came on while driving home. Went back to the station and thepump had a sticker that said 5% to 20% biodiesel.

So am I safe or at risk using B6 through B100 in my car? With taxincentives we will not fight the spread the the biodiesel. Wife loves the ML notthe Porsche but I’m thinking dump the warranty issue E350 and go with thefirmer riding Porsche.

Sorry for the rant – not happy. Anyone else see enginelights activating in Illinois? (Going back to the dealer on Monday for thelight)

VicLaw

Update. My engine light is still off dealer was backlogged (80 cars) suggested that best to return when the light is on.

I took a letter of protest to my State Senator Cullerton re the biodiesel. Explained Mercedes official position and provided copy of the warranty waiver they want me to sign. Told him that the blend % of bio were not posted at stations and should be just like gasoline, milk and beer. Around my home only a BP saids they sell only 5% ($4.39 today) Shell ($4.79) pump posted as 5-20% and the guy inside was clueless. The Speedway posted 5-20% ($4.29). A 2nd BP did not know look at the invoice which stated ULSD 2.

If you live in IL please tell you state reps. to modify the law so they post the % of Bio at the CURB. BTW 5-20% was $3.69 in the western suburbs! at Thortons

N_Jay

Can you post a copy of the letter from MB?

VicLaw

The MB "letter" was page 7 of the PDF file Facts about Biodiesel I refereed to earlier. But if you want the waiver I'll have to scan and attach the file.

N_Jay

Yes, it is the waiver I was looking for?

VicLaw

I scanned it but can't seem to find directions on how to attach it. Posting rules (bottom left of this page) says I may post attachments. Searched site but found help for photos only. Need help.

VicLaw

Here is the "Acknowledgement" from MB of Westmont in Illinois:


MB Biodiesel.pdf

Went to the dealer with the engine light on. They found... "fault with EGR position. Had to re-adapt throttle valve stop." My lawyer told me that means they installed it improperly last time.

VicLaw

Engine light came on today. Called dealer going in tommrow. He said it may be the C word.

(Carbon build-up)

VicLaw

Going back to see IL Senate President Cullerton with this new development.

2011 E350 BT, 35,000 miles, saw 37 MPG on highway driving each time going to Florida, the computer shows 24-26 in my mix of city driving.

For 2 weeks had engine light come on. Dealer replaced the EGR valve under warranty. Light on then off. 2 days ago light activated again, dealer adjusted the throttle body. Light back on yesterday. In dealer this AM diagnosed carbon build-up. $560 to clean out.

Tech said should be good for another 35 - 40K that is when this happens but not to "all cars". I figured I just lost almost 1/2 of my savings from fuel cost and better mileage.

VicLaw

Got the car back today final cost $777.12. TheRecirculation Pipe had to be replaced $60 a couple of $20 gaskets and a $10 therest was in labor. Gave me the part as a trophy it’s difficult to photographbecause of the black carbon. Look closely and you’ll see that the holes arealmost completely blocked with carbon.

JimBarnhart

Doesn't sound like MB is thinking they will do like VW and Audi and honor warranties for higher Bio blends.