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Dsquare · 07-01-2016, 08:02 PM

I have a 2016 Grand Tour with the Mercedes Benz diesel V-6. We have just returned from a cross country trip and noticed that Pilot/Flying J and Loves seem to have converted almost totally to biodiesel, B20 for FJ, and B15 for Loves. The placard on the fuel door advises B5 biodiesel maximum. I notice that mileage with biodiesel seems about 1-2 mpg less. Other Sprinter owners I have met caution me about biodiesel. Name brand stations such as
Shell, Chevron, Mobil etc seem to be straight diesel (for now). Any advice?

SpletKay06 · 07-01-2016, 08:33 PM

Unless its low quality bio diesel there should be no noticeable difference in fuel economy. Im running a B20 blend in my truck whenever I can. Now if your engine is only rated for B5 I wouldn't exceed that. The issue is the seals and o rings in your fuel system can be compromised by the detergent properties in the bio diesel. Also bio diesel dont have the quality control that normal diesel does yet so it can be hit and miss. Ive got one fuel station I use whenever possible. Should also note my engine is rated for B20

Boxster1971 · 07-01-2016, 08:33 PM

Minimize your use of bio-diesel. An occasional partial tank is not a problem but continual use of 20% bio could lead to problems. Here is link to a Mercedes-Benz paper about biodiesel.
https://www.mbusa.com/vcm/MB/Digital..._Brochure5.pdf

- - Mike
2013 Interstate Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

solar-guy · 07-01-2016, 09:02 PM

I ran bio-diesel one time in my 2008 Interstate, and before the tank was fully used up I had the check engine light on and had a fairly expensive repair bill at the Mercedes dealer on a road trip. I have avoided bio-diesel since then....

gmillerok1 · 07-01-2016, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solar-guy

I ran bio-diesel one time in my 2008 Interstate, and before the tank was fully used up I had the check engine light on and had a fairly expensive repair bill at the Mercedes dealer on a road trip. I have avoided bio-diesel since then....

Same here, except mine was under warranty. The service tech said to avoid all bio-fuel at all costs, so when I'm down to about half a tank I start looking around and take advantage of pure diesel wherever I can find it. Haven't had a problem since.

I don't travel to Minnesota and never likely will because of the farming and bio-fuel refineries political power imposed bio mandates of B10 currently, and later B20, on everyone, like it or not, and there will be no where to get anything else, so I have crossed that state off my tourism list. I guess folks there don't like big government telling you what to do, unless it's ok with those who pad their wallets.

If you think there isn't much difference, take some bio, and some regular, and put them in a small glass container. Place both in the freezer. The bio will turn to what looks like pure lard on top. And you're putting that in a very expensive and complicated engine.

xrvr · 07-02-2016, 05:41 AM

I would go by whatever the owner's manual says. You could also go to a sprinter dealer and ask. I avoid those stations you mentioned because it's iffy with my older Cummins. Some Walmart stations are biodiesel. In an emergency I just put in a few gallons which ends up diluted and look for another station.

guskmg · 07-02-2016, 01:26 PM

I don't know about Mercedes, but Biodiesel is hell on Duramax engines. The fuel is great, however it is too good of a fuel system cleaner and clogs up GM filters over a period of time. The only solution is to change the fuel filter, which GM recommends at half the stated book interval. It was areal PITA going to Alaska and back.
guskmg

KJRitchie · 07-02-2016, 01:41 PM

The writing is on the wall, more and more stations will be forced to sell biodiesel up to B20. Why are 2016 Mercedes diesels still only good for B5 in this day and age? I have a 2015 Ram 2500 Cummins and its supposed to be B20 compatible but the 2012 versions aren't. Can't believed the basic engine has changed so why can't all modern diesels handle B20?

Kelvin

wvstreamer · 07-02-2016, 05:23 PM

Watching the thread. This fuel thing is disapointing. Should have the choice based on personal needs.

John Millner · 07-02-2016, 07:19 PM

In Illinois getting "good" diesel fuel is hit and miss. While driving the interstates I've stopped at Shell stations marked with roadside signs as Shell diesel but in small lettering on the pump at these stations it states "not a Shell product" and is the unacceptable bio fuel. Is there a way to find fuel stations that carry the good fuel without stopping and checking each one? This is very frustrating, and according to Mercedes it's risky business putting the bio fuel blend into our Interstates.

UKDUDE · 07-02-2016, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Millner

In Illinois getting "good" diesel fuel is hit and miss. While driving the interstates I've stopped at Shell stations marked with roadside signs as Shell diesel but in small lettering on the pump at these stations it states "not a Shell product" and is the unacceptable bio fuel. Is there a way to find fuel stations that carry the good fuel without stopping and checking each one? This is very frustrating, and according to Mercedes it's risky business putting the bio fuel blend into our Interstates.

I have already asked GasBuddy if they can refine their diesel data to this degree and they told me they are "considering it".

Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

Boxster1971 · 07-02-2016, 09:02 PM

All I can say about this biodiesel mess is write your state and federal representatives and complain. The biodiesel mess is pure politics as a result of lobby efforts by farm industry to support the price of corn. It makes no environmental sense.

- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

guskmg · 07-02-2016, 11:22 PM

Regular use of bio is good. It is the occasional tank the cleans the build up in the system so good that that the filter get prematurely clogged up.
Then when you least expect it "limp home mode" kicks in. That is bad enough with out the trailer, but a real PITA going up and down mountains with it.
guskmg

Protagonist · 07-03-2016, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guskmg

Regular use of bio is good. It is the occasional tank the cleans the build up in the system so good that that the filter get prematurely clogged up.
Then when you least expect it "limp home mode" kicks in. That is bad enough with out the trailer, but a real PITA going up and down mountains with it.

Regular use of biodiesel is not so good in "EPA Tier 3" diesel engines that have common rail fuel injection and use DEF for exhaust treatment— such as 2012 and later Airstream Interstates. In those engines, using more than B5 biodiesel will not just put you into "limp home mode" but will also put you into "you have XX starts remaining" mode.