O-ring failure due to Biodiesel - Diesel Forum

cj8lvr · 11-21-2005, 03:25 PM

I hope this can stay in the 7.3L Powerstroke Engine and Drivetrain Forum so it can get more views and due to the fact that it may not have everything to do with running Biodiesel. My truck started smoking a light blue smoke at startup ever since I ran some B100 Biodiesel through it. I've changed my fuel filter and I'm back to regular diesel but still experiencing smoke at startup and also an increase in fuel consumption as compared to before running it. I bought the Biodiesel in Georgia and ran it within the first two weeks that I had it. A buddy who also got some at the same time just opened up the container it was stored in after sitting stored out of sunlight for almost two months and it had a wax like substance attached to the walls of the container. Could this be in my sytstem and causing this problem? Could I have an o-ring or more failing on my injectors as a result of the cleaning effects of Bio. Any ideas would be accepted. Thanks.

powerboatr · 11-21-2005, 03:31 PM

my first geuss would be the fuel was contamianted with water which caused microbiological growths and this what caused the gelling.
as for one tank of b100 cleaning your injectors to the point of O ring degradation is sort of slim, i would lean towards the leak was already there and the bio may have cleaned the crud blocking the leak.
over in laceys springs the wavaho, i got bad fuel there about a month ago. set off water in fuel lights, plus a clogged filter.

I have a theory that over the past few months fuel getting up to us in north al and ga. may be contaminated fuel, not to the point of being bad bad, but certainly enough to clog filters and set off lights.
it may nation wide but who knows, alot of fuel was turned dirty after katrina and rita and i doubt it was scrubbed as good as needed.

Ford_Forgotton · 11-21-2005, 03:36 PM

A 2000 model truck shouldnt have any natural rubber that would be degraded by 100% bio-d. I would lean toward either bad fuel, unwashed fuel, or some other problem.

Making good bio-d is a bit of an art, and the key is patience. Some dont wait long enough after making it to run it, or they dont wash it, or dont take time doing one step or another and the end result is poor fuel that causes problems and gives the fuel a bad name.

cj8lvr · 11-21-2005, 03:44 PM

Ok, how about this... go to this link: http://www.rocketcityrockcrawlers.co...=1192&PN=1
and look at some pictures of the bad stuff. We bought this at a Biodiesel retailer in Marietta, GA. Should they be held accountable?

Ford_Forgotton · 11-21-2005, 03:58 PM

YUCK!

What was the temperature of the jug when that pic was taken?

I would definately have a talk with the seller. That looks like unsettled, unwashed Bio-D.

Actually, it looks alot like filtered veggie oil and nothing else to be honest.

Way to creamy for my liking, even if it were "cold" out.

444turbodiesel · 11-21-2005, 03:58 PM

Looks like their titration process leaves something to be desired if it is truely biodiesel and not just WVO. I imagine it could be run if it were heated and thoroughly filtered.

powerboatr · 11-21-2005, 04:07 PM

that sure dont look like good fuel
leaning towards somebody may ahve not been on the up and up

wow

is that crisco?
to much wax in there,
i thought you said you got it at a real retialer of b100 in Ga.???

cj8lvr · 11-21-2005, 04:09 PM

This is NOT WVO! It is Biodiesel B100 from S.A. White Oil Company in Marietta, Georgia! You should be able to run this stuff without having to do anyting to it. How do ya'll think we should handle this? Could it have damaged my truck? Should I get a refund and then some? I'll have to hunt for the reciept this evening when I get home from work. It is not my goal to put this place out of business but they should know what they are selling and others should too. It they don't make good on this... then we'll possibly pursue it further.

cj8lvr · 11-21-2005, 06:18 PM

And whatdayaknow... I found the reciept! To the tune of $236.60! I think I may be asking for my money back. What do you guys think. Would that be out of the question or right on? Should I ask for any other reimbursement?

Ford_Forgotton · 11-21-2005, 06:27 PM

I think if its a reputable dealer, then they need to offer you some form of solution. Be it money back, or something.

Ford will not warranty damage from fuel. They want you to go after the fuel manufacturer. Bio-d doesnt have a very well established manufacturing infrastructure, so getting them to pay for damage may be difficult.

I think that is part of the reason Ford only warranties damage up to 5% bio-d. Keep in mind, ford doesnt warranty gasoline damage on gassers either. Its just gassers have BIG fuel companies to go after for reimbursement.

I know you said you PAID for B-100, but that stuff looks like WVO! Thats why I was curious what the temperature was. B-100 doesnt care for temps below about 40 degrees. Depends on the feed oil tho, can be higher or lower.

Spencnaz · 11-21-2005, 06:54 PM

I looked at those pictures. Looks like plaque deposits on the inside of arteries.

I would take a fuel sample not only back to the supplier and demand satisfaction but I would also take the sample to a chemist or analysis business and have that sample analyzed.

That has got to be the most unwashed fuel I have ever seen. It almost looks like they used too much NaOH or KOH when they made it.

Either that or the fuel was stored improperly for a long period of time.

cj8lvr · 11-21-2005, 07:03 PM

Ambient air temp when photo was taken was 45-50 degrees F. Fuel temp was probably colder. Could this actually cause this? The waxy buildup extends about 3-4 inches from inner wall of the container. This is at my friends house and he is going to bring the contaier inside to see if it makes any difference. I may hear something from him by tomorrow afternoon.

rcdallas · 11-21-2005, 07:08 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Ok, how about this... go to this link: http://www.rocketcityrockcrawlers.co...=1192&PN=1
and look at some pictures of the bad stuff. We bought this at a Biodiesel retailer in Marietta, GA. Should they be held accountable?

[/ QUOTE ]

Back in August I bought B100 a few times from S.A. White in Marietta via the pump they have, not by the barrel. I can say I had no problems except for the fueling professional that spewed B100 over my paint, not once, but twice.

In relation to that link... Boy that stuff looked nasty.

cj8lvr · 11-21-2005, 07:08 PM

The fuel was stored in a HDPE 15 gallon used Dr.Pepper Syrup container that was clean when the fuel was put in it. The container was sealed completely. It was stored outside out of direct sunlight for about 2 months. I don't see how it could be this bad from storing it this way.

cj8lvr · 11-21-2005, 07:10 PM

Did you store any of it or put it right in your tank? Yea, the guy filling mine up made a mess too.