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RG0403 · 10-13-2019, 06:02 PM

I have read on this forum that Mercedes require biodiesel to be 5% or less. I am a trucker that lives in so cal all the diesel I see for sale in CA is B20. Probably a law knowing CA. So I am asking for CA sprinter owners to enlighten me on fueling in CA. I have made a deal on a new sprinter and am supposed to take delivery soon. Wondering if it may be a bad idea. Especially if it gives Mercedes Benz a way out of warranty obligations.

Winterbagoal · 10-13-2019, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RG0403

I have read on this forum that Mercedes require biodiesel to be 5% or less. I am a trucker that lives in so cal all the diesel I see for sale in CA is B20. Probably a law knowing CA. So I am asking for CA sprinter owners to enlighten me on fueling in CA. I have made a deal on a new sprinter and am supposed to take delivery soon. Wondering if it may be a bad idea. Especially if it gives Mercedes Benz a way out of warranty obligations.

Do any stations near you sell Diesel #2 ? It's supposed to be no more than B5. I also (unconfirmed) saw on one of these forums that the 2020 MB engines were OK'd for B20.

RG0403 · 10-13-2019, 06:45 PM

Most truckstops sell only diesel #2 but in CA everyone I have seen say B20 on the pump. Unfortunately for me if the 2020 engine would be ok on it. The unit I have in the works is on a 2018 chassis and cab. I don’t even think a 2020 chassis is even available with an rv yet. Few are even on 2019.

604eholston · 10-14-2019, 04:10 AM

RG0403
Yes it is difficult to find anything but B20 in CA. Mercedes has modified there position on this, I think. They now say it is OK to use B20 occasionally, check oil levels frequently and change the oil at 10000 instead of 20000 miles. All of this is according to blurbs on this forum.

luvlabs · 10-14-2019, 08:15 AM

Mercedes view of B20 fuel changes with the reality of economic pressure on them. When Minnesota, Illinois, and a couple of other midwestern states decided only to allow B20 in the summer months, Mercedes blinked and came up with some accommodations to assure owners that it was OK to use B20.

As more areas of the country move toward B20 (either by statute or by economic pressure by the farming industry), Mercedes has finally figured out you can use B20 in their engines. Don't forget, Cummins has been B20 compatible since the beginning.

Mercedes' current recommendations are: If you have to use B20 continuously, then 1)restrict your idling; 2) ck your oil more frequently; 3) change your oil at 10,000 miles. Mercedes concern is not with the engine but with the emission system. And using B20 does not affect your warranty. So keep on driving and add dino diesel when you can.

RG0403 · 10-14-2019, 08:24 AM

Thanks for the response everyone. I did download the owners manual online because we have yet to pick up our rv. It does say use B20 only if necessary. I am a trucker and deal with DPF and DEF and have for years. Have diesel APU on semi to eliminate idling and have been pretty successful with emissions. Was mostly concerned of creating a loophole for MB to try to get out of warranty repairs. Here in CA I don’t think you can find anything other then B20 at the pump. Not sure about auto diesel locations but major truckstops that is the case everywhere I fuel.

johninsd · 10-15-2019, 11:52 AM

I live in San Diego and have a 2016 Itasca Navion (2015 Sprinter chassis). I avoid truck stops because of the B20 being the only diesel fuel available there. But the regular gas stations all seem to have B5 or less as there are no labels on the pumps which I understand would be legally required if the fuel being sold is more than B5. So far so good - I do change the oil more often than the 20k miles it says in the manual but I grew up with 3k mile oil changes and 20k just feels like too much of a leap (boy I'm old).

RG0403 · 10-15-2019, 04:32 PM

Thanks for the reply johninsd. I assumed being CA that they would regulate as always and require B20. Being a truck driver all I know is truck stops. I will look at my local gas stations maybe it won't be as hard to find as I assumed.

Knittler · 10-16-2019, 02:57 PM

I have driven thousands of miles in my Sprinters all over California since 2013 and have never once had to use B20 here. But I don’t use truck stops.

- There is no law requiring use of B20 in California.

- My 2019 Sprinters Manual still recommends using B5 or less.

RG0403 · 10-17-2019, 09:48 AM

I have never looked at diesel in my local gas stations. I only know what I see at truck stops because that is my profession. I will certainly look into that and I appreciate your replies. Thank you all.

Hooligan · 11-14-2019, 06:03 PM

Commercial Diesel fuel is either grade #2 or #1. Normal diesel is #2 grade, the #1 grade is thinner and flows better in low temperatures. It is normally blended with #2 as a winter grade fuel. To prevent gelling.
Bio-diesel is normally a blend of bio stock with normal diesel fuel #2, or a #2/#1 blend. Except B-100 is all biodiesel.

Mercedes concern with biodiesel over 5% is fuel filter clogging and since it burns at a lower temp, can lead to unburned fuel getting into the crankcase and diluting the engine oil. They require monitoring oil level to prevent damage. Their brochure is here. https://d3ciwvs59ifrt8.cloudfront.ne...0035e9b7cd.pdf

RVThere · 11-15-2019, 06:20 AM

I have about 60,000 miles on my 2017 View (2016 Sprinter chassis) and I've put B20 in it all the time with no problems.

Just don't let it idle for extended times, check your oil level and throw in a 1/2 a bottle of Diesel Kleen every few fills.

It's great that it has a 20,000 mile oil change interval but also change your fuel filter at the time too.

604eholston · 11-16-2019, 05:12 AM

OK, I understand the special care one must give our engines if we use B 20 fuel. My problem is why? It is more expensive, less efficient, and costs more. Somebody with clout is benefitting from this or it wouldn' be happening in our society.

luvlabs · 11-16-2019, 08:25 AM

Sure, it's a plot by the industrial soybean farmers to increase their income. It really isn't much different than ethanol in gasoline. Lots of rich corn farmers out there.