Is Diesel Fuel sold in USA going to kill our engines?
12-14-2017, 03:12 PM
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Is Diesel Fuel sold in USA going to kill our engines?
This syndicated article appeared in our local paper:
Mercedes says goodbye to diesel in North America Driving
Basically says that diesel fuel currently and in future available in USA will ruin our modern diesels and will void warranties.
Is it true that B5 diesel is not widely available? This is what article claims:
This is what MBUSA says: https://www.mbusa.com/vcm/MB/Digital..._Brochure5.pdf
Mercedes says goodbye to diesel in North America Driving
Basically says that diesel fuel currently and in future available in USA will ruin our modern diesels and will void warranties.
Is it true that B5 diesel is not widely available? This is what article claims:
Most fuel stations in the marketplace sport a blend of diesel fuel and biodiesel, the ‘bio’ being derived from a plant base or recycled oil. Mercedes-Benz requires owners to use diesel with less than 5 per cent biodiesel, called B5. The problem is that many outlets throughout the U.S. offer diesel with up to 20 per cent biodiesel – B20. This higher level wreaks havoc on the engine, leading to expensive issues not covered by warranties because people have used the wrong fuel.
Mercedes-Benz USA approves the use of B5 according to ASTM specification D975 [Ultra-Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD) with
a maximum of up to 5% biodiesel] in all Common Rail Injection (CDI) and BlueTEC® diesel engines.
The only approved processed biodiesel for B5 blending is one that meets the ASTM D6751 specification, to prevent
damage to the engine and fuel system from deposits and/or corrosion.
The use of diesel fuels containing a higher percentage of biodiesel, (B6 to B20) according to ASTM D7467 as well as
straight biodiesel (B100) according to ASTM D6751 may cause severe damage to your engine and fuel system, and are not
approved by Mercedes-Benz.
The Mercedes-Benz New Vehicle Limited Warranty generally does not cover damage caused by the use of fuels that do not
meet Mercedes-Benz approved fuel standards.
a maximum of up to 5% biodiesel] in all Common Rail Injection (CDI) and BlueTEC® diesel engines.
The only approved processed biodiesel for B5 blending is one that meets the ASTM D6751 specification, to prevent
damage to the engine and fuel system from deposits and/or corrosion.
The use of diesel fuels containing a higher percentage of biodiesel, (B6 to B20) according to ASTM D7467 as well as
straight biodiesel (B100) according to ASTM D6751 may cause severe damage to your engine and fuel system, and are not
approved by Mercedes-Benz.
The Mercedes-Benz New Vehicle Limited Warranty generally does not cover damage caused by the use of fuels that do not
meet Mercedes-Benz approved fuel standards.
12-18-2017, 02:00 PM
#2
Super Member
Thread Starter
No comments here? On other forums, the responses indicate that conventional diesel and B5 are labeled the same in USA. They usually just have the ULSD label with no indication of the biodiesel content. Fuel with 6-20% is labeled as B20. Above that is B20+ and has the actual % biodiesel posted.
Main thing for us to watch, is that we don't put B20 or higher into our GLK250s.
Main thing for us to watch, is that we don't put B20 or higher into our GLK250s.
03-12-2018, 02:04 PM
#3
MBWorld Fanatic!
I would wager that it's not the diesel fuel quality which will kill sales; it's the overall repercussions of Dieselgate.
Consumer confidence is being shaken, and with the increases in efficiency of modern gassers, fewer and fewer will want to take the chance on diesels.
Consumer confidence is being shaken, and with the increases in efficiency of modern gassers, fewer and fewer will want to take the chance on diesels.
03-12-2018, 08:29 PM
#4
Member
We own a GLk 250 and see 36 mpg average per tank, but any gains in fuel economy suffer when its time to service or even buy fuel in some places. Unless you drive a lot, gas may be a better financial choice over diesel.
Also consider that diesel isn’t as accepted as it is in Europe. The big German 3 have always struggled to gain wide spread acceptance in the US market.
i will be sad when or if MB and the other euro brands drop diesel as from their offerings here in the US.
OJ
03-14-2018, 10:47 AM
#6
Super Member
Thread Starter
From what I read, they have to post the bio content if over 5%. We have yet to see the % bio posted. We spend 3 months in USA and drove down from Canada with fill ups in NY, Va, NC, SC. Can only assume that pumps here have standard diesel (which can contain up to 5% bio)
03-14-2018, 10:54 AM
#7
Super Member
I wonder what "damage" it is to which they refer. The older diesels, of which I have one, run fine on biodiesel and I've heard of no issues attributed to its use. And what do you do while traveling, need fuel and there's only one or two stations offering diesel?
I use an additive in my old diesel but was advised against them by the techs at MB for the 651 engine. Didn't ask why, just that they were not recommended.
Love my GLK but it looks like they're making it difficult to continue with it. All our fuel pumps in Cali have stamps on them giving the biodiesel info. Guess I have to start reading them!
I use an additive in my old diesel but was advised against them by the techs at MB for the 651 engine. Didn't ask why, just that they were not recommended.
Love my GLK but it looks like they're making it difficult to continue with it. All our fuel pumps in Cali have stamps on them giving the biodiesel info. Guess I have to start reading them!
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03-14-2018, 11:01 AM
#8
Super Member
Thread Starter
Never seen that sort of mileage. Since last reset over a year ago, our car says 32mpg. Some others quote similar. Sometimes in summer on 100% highway at 70mph and flat terrain we see as good as 37mpg, but average much lower. Some gas SUVs like Subaru Outback that uses regular gas are probably more economical in USA where diesel costs more. Not so much so in Canada. EPA rated highway for both cars is 32mpg.
03-14-2018, 11:10 AM
#9
Super Member
I've gotten as high as 39+mpg on several tanks while traveling the wide open spaces out west. I don't use mine around town but even for the short trips here with minimum city driving, I consistently get over 34mpg, calculated from pump and mileage, usually closer to 36±, not on the MB gauge.
07-01-2019, 05:24 PM
#10
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2014 GLK250
Stumbled into a couple of places selling 10% Biodiesel from pumps labeled "Diesel #2". It's not until trying to accelerate, then monitoring economy that it's obvious.
Suggested this morning that it's the same as selling regular from a premium fuel pump.
Is there any additive that will make the engine run properly?
Thanks,
Jim
Suggested this morning that it's the same as selling regular from a premium fuel pump.
Is there any additive that will make the engine run properly?
Thanks,
Jim
07-01-2019, 06:46 PM
#11
Member
Once I was forced to run B20 in our 2008 F250 6.4. I only fueled up enough to comfortably drive to a regular diesel fuel station. It was a 25% mix of B20 and 75% regular ULSD. The effects were minimal, but some visible smoke. It took at least 2 fills @ 3/4 tank to eliminate the affects.
Top off with regular fuel and add some cetane diesel treatment (Power Service, etc). When you get the fuel level down to 1/2, top of again. Go on some long drives and run it into Regen if possible. Bio diesel will clog a DPF if run long enough. Run it until you have run as much of the fuel out of the tank as possible. I would also replace your fuel filters at your next oil change if not already part of your service.
Top off with regular fuel and add some cetane diesel treatment (Power Service, etc). When you get the fuel level down to 1/2, top of again. Go on some long drives and run it into Regen if possible. Bio diesel will clog a DPF if run long enough. Run it until you have run as much of the fuel out of the tank as possible. I would also replace your fuel filters at your next oil change if not already part of your service.
07-02-2019, 11:13 AM
#12
MBWorld Fanatic!
I wouldn’t be alarmist about biodiesel. Sure, MB says don’t use anything above 5% and that’s good advice for many reasons. Biodiesel doesn’t like to be compressed to such pressures as common rail diesels generate. It will gunk up injector tips pretty easily if run too long. It also diluted the oil, making frequent oil changes necessary. There is also less power output, so you may notice a bit of power loss. It is, however, a good lubricant for what some consider “dry” ULSD ever since the sulfur was removed, so if you can find and use B5, I would now and then. But in general, I feel it’s safer to use Power Service or Howe’s diesel treat and skip the risk with bio. Then again, if you’re stuck in illinois you pretty much have no choice except biomass (yuck!) B20 blend.
07-02-2019, 11:22 AM
#13
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2014 GLK250
Have suspected what you're thinking. Power came right back after driving 250 miles and topping off with #2 from a more reliable source.
Previously used Lucas upper cylinder lube/injector cleaner in both diesel and gasoline engines. Will look at the other suggested treatments.
Thanks,
Jim
Previously used Lucas upper cylinder lube/injector cleaner in both diesel and gasoline engines. Will look at the other suggested treatments.
Thanks,
Jim
