Power loss with biodiesel?

[ERG80]

Will I lose engine power if I switch to bio?

[DanS HJ-45]

You *should.* But.... it won't be a measurable loss. It should be on the order of a couple percent, maybe.

My truck seems to have more power on it though, and the EGTs are significantly lower on bio.

All in all, you won't notice a change, but you will clog a couple fuel filters. The only change you might notice is that it is a far superior fuel. When you spill it on yourself, it doesn't burn, and your skin doesn't dry out..... And it smells nice when it burns....

Dan

[Tofudebeest]

Been running B100 for about 10 months. I paid close attention to how the truck felt before vs. after switching. Vibration is less at idle, noise is the same, fuel efficiency is imperceptably inferior, though supposed to be ~5% less. Power (acceleration) improved, noticably, and I am not sure what to attribute it to knowing that biodiesel has less energy (slightly) per given volume than dino-diesel. I think it has to do with running smoother, more cleanly, and injector deposits (coking) has been removed due to the increased solvent properties of bio.

Do it, you will not regret it. Three caveats:
1) Make sure your biodiesel is clean and free of water contamination.
I fill a snapple jar before fueling up my vehicle each time I get another delivery of fuel. I have a 210 gallon tank; an old home heating oil tank. I also have a filter on the tank that helps prevent water from getting into the vehicle's tank.
2) Make sure you use your glow plugs to their full extent (you should do this always, but many people don't) when the ambient temperature drops to the point where start-ups are harder. For my vehicle, that's around 60 degrees F.
3) Keep with you an extra fuel filter and the tools to change it out if you are far away from home, just in case you experience what I have not (at least not yet)--a big chunk of sludge getting circulated through the fuel lines all of a sudden.

[Martin White]

I had mine filled with B40 last service. Since then I've had to go back to dyno. Haven't noticed any difference, except it idles better on bio.

[Mountain Goat]

Mine runs just slightly better on dino. The injectors make a lot more noise with bio.

It's worth it. The ability to burn bio is the main reason I made the swap.

[canucksafari]

I am not sure if you loose much power. Bio has a more complete combustion than dino but it does have less energy. Bio also has the added benefit of providing good upper cylinder lubrication and great IP lubrication which you don't get with dino. Bio will also keep your fuel system nice and clean. I am with Martin hoping for the day when we have a bio outlet in Abby.