Community Forums

lapalma-xl · 08-02-2010, 11:30 PM

hello, i am new to diesel and just bought our first class A. what is the different with this fuel? should i use ULSD or Bio? by the way i have a 07 monaco la palma xl with cummins.

Thanks

94-Newmar · 08-03-2010, 07:01 AM

Check with the Chassis Manufacturer to be sure. It will depend upon what emissions equipment they have on the engine. 07 is a year that Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) started showing up on a lot of Diesels in your class. For instance, the early Ford DPF equipped F-series trucks wouldn't allow you to run more than 10% biodiesel since it could potentially plug up their type of DPF. Yours may allow a higher percentage based upon the emissions equip you have.

Gary RVRoamer · 08-03-2010, 10:03 PM

ULSD is the only diesel available in the USA. If you want pure diesel fuel, it will be ULSD.

Bio-diesel is a generic term for any diesel fuel that is all or part made from biologic (organic) sources rather than petroleum. If it is a mix of organic and petroleum, it will have a number such as B10, which means it is 10% bio (organic) and 90% petroleum-based. B20 is 20%, etc. Some people make their own diesel from 100% biologic (organic) sources, e.g. recycled cooking oils, but these have limits on general use.

If bio-diesel is sold at a fuel station, it still must meet the ULSD spec. It is sometimes called Bio-ULSD or Bio-diesel-ULSD.

If the engine in your 2007 coach was produced after 1/1/2007, then it MUST use only ULSD, whether 100% petroleum or Bio-ULSD. If the engne is pre 2007 production, then it can use LSD or ULSD diesel, petroleum or bio. I believe Cummins now approves use of B10 and B20 bio-fuels, but not a greater percentage of biologics in the diesel.

lapalma-xl · 08-04-2010, 10:11 PM

ok thank you guys. i have 2 fuel filters 1 is primary and a secondary filter, is this the DPF that you are talking about?

94-Newmar · 08-04-2010, 10:18 PM

No... the DPF is in the exhaust system. It's a rather large 'oven' that collects and stores diesel soot until enough backpressure is created triggering the system to burn it off.

RJay · 08-04-2010, 10:45 PM

The main draw back of biodiesel is there is a high probability that it contains traces of methanol which is a solvent that aggressively attacks rubber(hoses, seals, gaskets, o-rings, etc.). Unless you can determine that the engine manufacturer uses a synthetic substitute for these parts and specifically authorizes its use I would give it a wide berth.

lapalma-xl · 08-04-2010, 11:08 PM

ok i guess i dont have the DPF. my exhaust is straight from Turbo then Muffler and thats it

94-Newmar · 08-04-2010, 11:27 PM

Excellent if you don't have a DPF model! I'd check with the Cummins to get their opinion on the use of Biodiesel in that particular model year and what percentage you may run according to their recommendations. Have your engine ID/Serial number ready when you call them.. they'll pull your card in their system and can answer your question.