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biodiesel vs regular diesel vs Propel and a question on fuel filter routine

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jeffn

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I have read that biodiesel has better lubricating properties than traditional diesel. What is the consensus here?

Also, I filled up with Propel HPR diesel last week and have been reading some conflicting information about the promoted advantages. On paper it looks good but the butt dynamometer isn’t registering anything. More than performance, I would like to settle into a diesel product that offers lubrication and, as a bonus, is cleaner. More MPG would be nice, but I’m resigned to 10-14 MPG as my destiny.

Renewable Fuels | Flex Fuel E85 | Diesel HPR - Propel Fuels

Propel builds, owns & operates a network of American made renewable fuel stations. Propel’s Flex Fuel E85 ethanol and biodiesel fuels provides drivers a fuel choice that both reduces carbon emissions and America's dependency on foreign oil.
propelfuels.com propelfuels.com

When I change my fuel filters, the chassis mounted filter is always a lot dirtier than the engine mounted filter. Which makes me question the utility of changing the front filter in every cycle. Is there merit to changing just one filter every rotation and alternating between the front and back filters? Or would you change the chassis filter every cycle and the front filter every other?
 
jeffn said:
I have read that biodiesel has better lubricating properties than traditional diesel. What is the consensus here?

Also, I filled up with Propel HPR diesel last week and have been reading some conflicting information about the promoted advantages. On paper it looks good but the butt dynamometer isn’t registering anything. More than performance, I would like to settle into a diesel product that offers lubrication and, as a bonus, is cleaner. More MPG would be nice, but I’m resigned to 10-14 MPG as my destiny.

Renewable Fuels | Flex Fuel E85 | Diesel HPR - Propel Fuels

Propel builds, owns & operates a network of American made renewable fuel stations. Propel’s Flex Fuel E85 ethanol and biodiesel fuels provides drivers a fuel choice that both reduces carbon emissions and America's dependency on foreign oil.
propelfuels.com propelfuels.com

When I change my fuel filters, the chassis mounted filter is always a lot dirtier than the engine mounted filter. Which makes me question the utility of changing the front filter in every cycle. Is there merit to changing just one filter every rotation and alternating between the front and back filters? Or would you change the chassis filter every cycle and the front filter every other?
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I’ll be trying the Propel diesel the end of this week. Have yo tried it yet? If so what do you think? Are you in California?
 
Jackb60 said:
I’ll be trying the Propel diesel the end of this week. Have yo tried it yet? If so what do you think? Are you in California?
Click to expand...
I did not notice a difference off the tank of fuel I went through. This is not to say that the claims are not valid but it's hard to say that you notice more power on these diesels when they already pull so hard. I noticed no change in fuel economy. I'd like to try it again with a sustained load in middle of summer to see if it performs better in a more challenging set of conditions.
 
My nearest station is about 70 miles away but want to try it. It’s supposed to have a very high centane 50+ from what I’ve read. Most stations rating doesn’t come near that.
 
From what I’ve read what we get at the pump is nowhere near the 50+ cetane that these trucks really need to run right.
 
Double edge sword. Bio has better lube, more propensity to attract/take on/contain water. That's why they say it can grow algae in your filters.

Regular diesel + a quality lubricity focused additive > Bio in my opinion.

As for filters the chassis catches the brunt of it. It's normal for it to be dirtier. I would absolutely change both though. 1) You're already dirty 2) Diesel's most temperamental system beyond emissions is fueling 3) It's not that expensive considering the cost/interval of change.
 
I do wish the fuel filters were cheaper. Changing all three filters every other month hurts the wallet.
 
SMK Shoe said:
I do wish the fuel filters were cheaper. Changing all three filters every other month hurts the wallet.
Click to expand...

You must be putting some serious miles on that truck. 90k a year? I thought I was bad at 30K a year.


.
 
Averaging between 2,000 and 2,700 a week. and all of that is pulling a 9,600lb, 40' gooseneck trailer with up to 15,000lbs of freight on it. just turned 30,000 miles on the truck and bought it around the end of Nov and didn't start Hotshotting till January. Figure to drive it two years and retire it and get another.
 
The local Flyin J has B20. Back in the day, I ran B100 in my Duramax (smelled like french fries!) with no problems. Will B20 cause any issues with the new Cummins?
 
I believe Cummins states no more than 5% without a heavy duty filtration system. I’m still under warranty so I’m not using it but I’d definitely try when the warranty is up.
 
Dieseldan723 said:
The local Flyin J has B20. Back in the day, I ran B100 in my Duramax (smelled like french fries!) with no problems. Will B20 cause any issues with the new Cummins?
Click to expand...
Check your owners manual but I did a Google search before I bought mine and found b20 was acceptable just like the fords.
 
I filled up today with the Propel diesel! According to the website it’s made from oils and is not plant based. The truck ran significantly better and my mileage was much better. Quiet and smooth. $3.89 outside Sacramento Ca. Priced about the same as petroleum diesel In the area.
 
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