i think what he's getting at is he needs some info on the new 6.7 engine and emission system so he can figure out if b100 is a problem, or if there is something that can be done to keep it from being a problem. lots of us do stuff that isn't approved for our trucks, but if it breaks, we want it fixed...whether it comes out of our pockets, or it's covered by warranty. if the truck owner is having to shell out $1000 to clean out "gunk", i'm sure he's wanting to know if there is a way to prevent it, or if he has to stop using b100. this b100 dealer is no different than the chip/programmer manufacturers...he just needs some info to figure out if his product is compatible with the 6.7 engine, if it can be made compatible with it, or if it just won't work because of the engine/emission design.
yes, the dealers and techs do need some education on how to deal w/ problems associated w/ bio problems. if the customer is paying for it...the dealers should help. dodge doesn't warranty my truck against body damage...but if i get in a wreck and haul it in along with a pile of cash....they will fix it.
lets not rip on the guy because he wants information on a new design...let's try and help him a little, he's providing a product most of us are probably very interested in.

 

Well said, I agree.

There is another tread with a warning about using inferior filters. Fram or whoever it is probably hasliability insurance as do all your regular local fuel suppliers in the event you pump some bad fuel from your localstation and it causes problems. I suspect thatthis bio-fuel providerhas liability insuranceas well.

In addition to wanting to promote and advance the use of his product... hemay betaking apersonal/pro-active interest in the issue so that if repairs are made, they arerequired and caused by the used of his product. (Since he may be liable to the repairs.) I don't think that he had the attitude that he was going to "tell theservice managerlike it is going to be..."

Just like some dealerships look at any performance mods differently than others. If someone brings in a vehicle with a failure and the vehicle has aEdge w/Attituedsome dealerships are quicker than others to jumps on the mod as being the root cause of the failure. Others just see the failure, don't make an issue of it and fix the problem. I realize expensive enginefailures are probably scrutinized a bitmore thoroughly by DC.

Biodiesel probably isn't going awayany time soon.NoUS on-road vehicles that I am aware of are approved by their respectivemanufacturer to use more that B5 (except Dodge has a fleet exception for B20).Personally, I look forward to the day when Dodge approves higher percentages of alternative fuels so that I can say that I am not sending money overseas to support terrorism.

 

My point here is not to attack the dealer for not supporting a fuel that his manufacturer tells him it isn't supported. I'm saying the reality is, people want these alternative fuels. If the dealers are going to turn a blind eye to what the public is clamoring for, clearly the market will eventually sort it out - those manufacturers who support these fuels will someday gain market share over those who won't. My issue is with the mechanic not being willing to work with me and his customer to understand the real issue and do more than say "i'm following orders". This is not the army, we are all individuals, and there is much we can learn from each other.

I will share a story that is the background for this one. Several months ago, I got a call from a frantic customer - she just got a call from the Jeep dealer saying she needed $1000 in repairs to clean the tank, purge her system of "bad fuel" and replace the fuel filter. I called the dealer and they told me that there was "rancid vegetable oil" and "fat globules" in the fuel filter. I rushed down and sat in with the mechanic as he worked on the vehicle - a 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD (since discontinued in favor of a Mercedes-based Jeep Cherokee CRD). The first thing I did was pour out the contents of the fuel filter, and found good clean biodiesel. A nice whiff told me that it was just that - biodiesel made from recycled cooking oil, which smells, to the untrained nose, like "rancid cooking oil". Next, we cut open the fuel filter in an attempt to remove the 'fat globules'. Turns out, it was just the globs of glue holding the filter together. So, we replaced the fuel filter (which had 13,000 miles on it) and it started right up. We took it for a drive and had no issues, and the owner is happily back to B100 (and a definite repeat customer of my business). The mechanic was very cool and we both learned something - as did the service advisor. I know not everyone is as understanding, patient, or even interested in the products they are working on. But cursing at me and being disrespectful is unacceptable under any circumstances, especially when I'm authorized to speak on the customer's behalf.

In Dodge's defense, I had a 2000 Viper and that dealer treated me fantastically - dedicated mechanic for Vipers, VIP treatment, nothing to complain about. I also have a 1993 Dodge 1 ton myself, and it's been running on B100 for over a year. It is the backbone of our business and hauls our fuel around Texas daily. We are big Dodge fans and also look forward to the day we can come out of the closet and use our sustainable, renewable, non-petroleum fuels and not fear reprisal from the dealer.

I do appreciate the differences of opinions and look forward to more discussion about issues like this. As we find our differences, we also find our common ground.

Jason

 

For what ii is worth, I found this on another post.... thanks for everyones opinons.



=================================

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cummins Inc. (NYSE:CMI - News) today announced the approval of biodiesel B20 blends for use in its 2002 and later emissions-compliant ISX, ISM, ISL, ISC and ISB engines. This includes the recently released 2007 products.

Cummins is able to upgrade its previous position on the use of biodiesel fuel, which limited the use to B5 blends only, up to B20 for three key reasons. First, the American Society of Testing Materials specification ASTM D6751 now includes an important stability specification for B100 biodiesel. Second, the availability of quality fuels from BQ-9000 Certified Marketers and Accredited Producers is growing rapidly; and third, Cummins has completed the necessary testing and evaluations to ensure that customers can reliably operate their equipment with confidence using B20 fuel.

"We have completed exhaustive analysis and test evaluations which enable Cummins to provide the necessary guidance and information to our customers for the proper and successful use of this fuel in our engine," said Edward Lyford-Pike, Chief Engineer - Advanced Alternative Fuel Programs. "This will enable our customers to have a choice that includes renewable fuel."
The popularity and use of biodiesel fuel continues to climb. Recent studies predict that, by 2008, 1.2 billion gallons of B100 biodiesel will be produced in the United States. Cummins will continue its efforts to ensure that future products will be compatible with biodiesel fuels, and will continue to participate in industry efforts aimed at the development of consistent quality throughout the biodiesel industry.Further information about the use of biodiesel for both on-highway and off-highway Cummins products can be found on the Web at everytime.cummins.com.




_____________________________

2006 Ram 2500
Big Horn Edition
5.9L CTD
Mineral Gray Met.
Quad Cab 4X4
Auto, 3.73's

2006 Sebring Touring Sedan

 

For what its worth, I drive a 2004.5 5.9l on B99 almost exclusively. There are times when I'm in an unfamiliar area and simply can't find a good bio-fix, but my preference is always for B99. Since I got the truck (used with 75k miles) I've racked up around 6k miles on B99. I haven't even changed the fuel filter yet and I have experienced no significant power loss. One would think that with 75k of petro diesel burned that a couple tanks of B99 would stir up a lot of crap, not so in my case. It was just recently while towing a 13k lb trailer uphill that I thought it was time to change the filter, but haven't yet. I have been problem and worry free and I look forward to years of Bio-fuel driving!

I was told 2 important facts from friends who have used Bio for years;
1) Fuel filters will clog, simply change them
2) When mixing bio and petro diesel you will clog filters faster and have a dirtier fuel system overall.

I purchase my fuel from a distributor up here in WA called Seaport Petroleum. They are pretty good about changing the pump filters, so I am confident that I get good clean fuel. Products. In fact they are launching a completely bio based lubricant line. Hopefully in the near future all of my oils etc can be plant based. I wonder who will be the first manufacturer with 100% recycled content tires, maybe they are already out there...somewhere.


Kudos to you for embracing bio-fuels and your efforts to educate the masses!

PS- I can't believe there hasn't been a conspiracy theorist chime in about Big Oil not wanting Auto Manufacturers to embrace bio-fuels