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What
about
biodiesel
for
my
RV?
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The
US
Department
of
Energy
says:
"Are
you
looking
for
a
domestically
produced,
renewable
fuel
that
you
can
use
in
your
diesel
engine?
If
so,
biodiesel
may
be
the
perfect
fuel
for
you.
When
biodiesel
is
blended
with
petroleum
diesel,
it
produces
a
fuel
that
is
compatible
with
diesel
engines,
displaces
imported
petroleum,
and
reduces
harmful
emissions.
Blends
like
B2
(2%
biodiesel
and
98%
diesel)
and
B5
(5%
biodiesel
and
95%
diesel)
are
becoming
increasingly
common
as
drivers
become
more
aware
of
the
many
benefits.
(Caution
-
check
with
your
engine
builder
before
use
-
Roaming
Times)
Biodiesel
is
manufactured
by
chemically
reacting
vegetable
oils,
recycled
cooking
grease,
or
animal
fats
with
alcohol.
Today's
biodiesel
is
primarily
made
from
domestically
produced
soybean
oil,
which
has
extremely
low
sulfur
content.
Cooking
oil
and
animal
fat
biodiesel
is
also
produced
with
very
low
sulfur
so
today's
biodiesel
already
meets
EPA
2006
regulations
for
ultra-low
sulfur
diesel
fuel."
For
availability
check
Availability
Fuel
Station
Locator
See
also:
Why
don't
we
want
the
diesel?
Motorhomes
NEED
to
be
more
fuel
efficient
By
the
way,
even
the
Mini
Cooper
will
be
available
as
a
diesel
option
this
year
...
The
US
Department
of
Energy
says
energy
efficiency
and
renewable
energy
are
"bringing
you
a
prosperous
future
where
energy
is
clean,
abundant,
reliable
and
affordable."
What
do
you
think?
...
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Readers'
comments:
Latest
first
Jodi
:
I agree totally, not soon enough. What brand do you recommend that is the most environmentally friendly? We will be purchasing one and I was looking for the most environmentally friendly manuf. If you know could you email me @ evansenterprize@yahoo.com Thanks
Sue E
:
I think we need to pressure congress for biofuel to be a bigger priority and more available at a competitive price. RV manufacturers should be looking at their RVs and presuring engine builders and equipment manufacturers to come up with more fuel efficient systems.
Delta Bunny
:
Heres my small amount of knowledge on bio-diesel. Don't use it if you come where the tempertures are low. It will gel more quickly than diesel. Second, there is no real standard on Bio-diesel, so no one really knows what they are getting. In pickup trucks in our area, bio-diesel has caused havoc since it is a high detergent diesel. Expect to have plugged fuel filters if you have never run it before. It could take 2-3 filters if you vehicle has a number of miles. Bacteria really love bio-diesel because of what it is. Possibly may cause problems to injectors and filters. Setting in a meeting with GM folks, they did not oppose the addition of fuel additive. With low sulfur and wax content in the new fuel, seals, injectors and pumps will be more likely to experience wear. Quite honestly, I won't use the Bio-fuel until I have standards and more experience. I have seen too much problem with it if you change from regular diesel and back. The price difference is nothing compared to a tow and new filters. Take this advice for what it is, just advice.
Cosmickt
:
It is absolutely immoral that in the year 2007, I cannot go out and buy a relatively inexpensive RV that is fully equipped with solar, be at least biodiesel powered and totally environmentally safe. There is something terribly wrong with a society that cannot bring this about. WHEN is this going to happen?
Rob James
:
As I read it both Cat and Cummins say biodiesel will not harm their engines. But Caterpillar also says it neither approves nor disapproves of biodiesel but ANY fuel related problems are not covered under warranty. It's also a question of how much is blended, B2 is only 2% biodiesel and 98% diesel so it doesn't make much difference. Cat gives fuel specifications up to 30% biodiesel. Seems to me that they say it's ok for any of their diesels but if the fuel has any contaminents etc that damage the engine it's not covered.
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