Biodiesel Primer Pt. 1: Finding a Standard for Today’s Vehicles
Dec 5, 2007 at 12:03PMBy Dr. Loren Beard
Fuels Specialist, Chrysler LLC
Biodiesel is a renewable fuel currently made from fatty acids in things like soybeans that can be used to an extent in our existing diesel engines today. For now, our diesel engines can safely use what is called B5, or 5 percent biodiesel and conventional diesel blend. But these same trucks can use up to B20, or 20 percent biodiesel blend if the quality of the fuel is up to our standards. This is already happening in large professional fleets, like government or military fleets.
This week, the industry is working on adopting a standard for B20 so that the average consumer can safely put it in their vehicles. If we could get the bulk of our diesel vehicles running on B20, that would be an enormous step toward energy independence for the country. So today, I’m here to talk with you a bit about this technology. Click on any of the audio segments below to learn more. We’ll have more on this topic next week. Pass along any questions in the comments section…
Loren on the next generation of biodiesel…
…on the advantages of biodiesel for the environment…
…on which current Dodge and Jeep diesels can use biodiesel and which blends work.
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6 Comments
when will the 4X4 Sprinter be available in the U.S. ?
It seems to me that if you don\’t have biodiesel that meets the astm 6751 specs, that it will have try and di and monoglycerides in them that will clog up the fuel injectors over time. It also seems like if you use wvo, that the acid content of that will cause pitting on your injector pump as well as to the cylinder and cylinder walls. At the same time, maybe, or so it seems, that wvo doesn’t burn as clean as biodiesel and it can cause an ash residue that will clog up catalytic converters. It seems like some people who are looking for short term fuel need in the renewable, as well as the fossil fuel industry don\’t look at the long term picture.
At the same time, I am going to insulate my fuel lines and fuel tank and get me a heated fuel filter that work when the truck is running and work when I plug in my block heater. I wish that these things came with my truck as standard equipment, or even as optional equipment. The idea is to not have to worry about cold weather gelling of diesel when the temperature drops or I go from one part of the country up to the mountains or to another part where there is a big temperature difference.
Love my o7 Dodge Ram 2500 6.7 Cummings–bought it for the ride———–tried them all over a three year test drive—-worst was a Toyota pickup -felt like it was made of pasta noodles!
Have some concerns over the fuel useage–great at times, over 20 mpg and down to the tens when pulling my camper which is small and light. The fun with the early oil change, 2450 miles, was interesting but hasn’t reoccurred as yet. Finally most supply outlets have the new oil for the 07’s—only a short ten months after release! Ride on!
Mac,
I have a 2001 2500 Ram and it was bubbled at 3 years. All the grills above the bumper are plastic so it does not hold the chrome plating.
I still love my cummins Ram!
I have a 2007 Dodge Ram and would like to know if the chrome on the grill will get bubbles in it? that is what happen to my 1999 Dodge Ram.
looks as the challenger is a natural progression from 1970 to present day. i have a new charger, it runs the risk of gettinf swpped for a new challenger although i am as happy as can be with the car. hope the you guys get another hit.