Biodiesel

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rawidman

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I normally fuel up at marinas and take what I can get but since my marina doesn't sell diesel fuel, I top off my tanks with diesel from roadside stations.

Hess is on my way to the marina but for some strange reason they won't accept credit cards at the diesel pump, I am forced to go inside and wait in line behind the folks buying cigarettes and lottery tickets.

I found a Sunoco station that sells diesel near my marina but when I went to get some, it's "biodiesel" with a sticker saying it may contain up to 5% fuel derived from other than natural petroleum.

I remember once reading a review of fuel additives that rated biodiesel better than aftermarket additives. In any case, I'm mixing less than 20% biodiesel (which is itself only 5% bio derived) in my tanks. The rest is "normal" diesel fuel.

Thoughts or resources on biodiesel in boats?
 
If the biodiesel is 5% or less, and you diluting that down to a mix of 80/20 (pure diesel / biodiesel-pure diesel mix), then you have no more than 1% biodiesel in your tank. Not likely to cause any issues, but check with manufacturer.
 
I work for a company that produces biodiesel. We also have a fairly large fleet of tractor trailers, in the summer we will run 25-30% bio in our diesel fuel, but in the winter we back down to less than 5%. If it is going to stay freezing for more than a couple of days we will back down to a little less than 2%.

The biggest issue with biodiesel is that it will "gel" much easier than normal diesel fuel. I think as long as you don't fill your tanks to 3/4 full of biodiesel just before you winterize, you should be fine.
 
I had a friend that was making his own bio at his home and he was using it in his trucks and heavy equipment. This guy was running straight bio I don't know what he added but he used in the winter he may have had a preheater to keep it from gelling. I have lost touch with him so I don't know if he is still doing this but I do know he had been doing it for at least two years, he even heated his business with bio.
 
I have a friend who uses biodiesel all year round. During the colder months he adds up to about 10% kerosene to keep it from gelling.
 
I'm in coastal South Carolina so I won't have to worry too much about freezing. And I don't have to winterize.

I noticed today that one side of the pump had the biodiesel sticker on it, the other did not. I'm going to assume they both pump from the same tank. I'm going to e-mail Sunoco and see what they have to say.
 
quote:
Originally posted by rawidman

I'm in coastal South Carolina so I won't have to worry too much about freezing. And I don't have to winterize.

I noticed today that one side of the pump had the biodiesel sticker on it, the other did not. I'm going to assume they both pump from the same tank. I'm going to e-mail Sunoco and see what they have to say.

Click to expand...

you may find it easier going forward to have fuel delivered by truck. its generally far cheaper, fresh and way more convenient.
 
This article offers up some interesting points about biodiesel:
http://gas2.org/2008/04/10/biodiesel-mythbuster-20-twenty-two-biodiesel-myths-dispelled/

It does mention bio has ~8.5% less energy per unit than petroleum diesel, but at the ratios you are using ,the difference in performance/economy would be negligible. The only place I've seen it here on the island , bio was considerably more expensive for that less energy. But that was a few years ago so who knows now.... .
 
I have run up to nearly 100% biodiesel in my old 1970s Perkins. It ran fine (and quieter) but tended to smoke more on B100 when cold, so usually I mixed in about 50% road diesel. However my only source no longer sells retail, so I'm back to road diesel.

If I could find another source I'd go back to bio; I like the smell, it's cheaper, and I think it's better for my engine than the new ULSD.
 
quote:
Originally posted by vic33004
[bryou may find it easier going forward to have fuel delivered by truck. its generally far cheaper, fresh and way more convenient.
Click to expand...


Probably not. My boat only holds 90 gallons and the most I've ever taken on at one time is about 60 gallons. Most of my use is multi day cruises so I am at or passing marinas along the way. It's just when I get home I want to top off the tanks to reduce condensation and be ready for my next cruise.
 
The Sunoco pump is also labeled ULSD. I think its an EPA regulation.
 
All road diesel is now ULSD by law. I expect it'll soon be all you can get. Bio diesel is by nature "ultra low sulfur" but is reputed to have better lubricity.

I suspect the oil companies are blending biodiesel in with their ULSD, so we get the advantages of both and they can claim their fuel is "cleaner".
 
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