The 11% or greater figure has always made me wonder why (when there is a sticker) it almost always says 'may contain a biodiesel blend between 5%-20%'. That certainly doesn't help differentiate between tax-break qualifying diesel or not. Interestingly, I've never seen a sticker that says 11% or greater. Most of the places serving up bio-blends charge as much or more than Meijer's (one of the last sellers of straight D2 around here).
I agree with you, that is why I asked about the fuel filter (thinking that perhaps bio is more apt to gel in our cold winters - I know it's supposed to meet regional specs but who knows with the constantly varying ratios. But he has made a business decision to avoid bio so there must be something behind the fact that he is willing to go through the hassle of avoiding 95% of the stations around here. The fact that no one ever knows how much bio is in any given tank (a tank truck driver told me it is almost always between 2% and 20%) gives me pause about trusting the bio sources here. I've seen posts from other members stating that they can get 5%, or 2% or some other specific amount. They are lucky to be able to get that information (wherever they are) because it doesn't exist in No IL. I just don't like the crapshoot nature of the way bio-diesel blends are being handled around here so I avoid it (mostly for the crankcase dilution issues and extra contamination risks).
Between 5%-20%' is a generic CYA sticker used everywhere (not just IL) as apposed to the reality of what is in the fuel. Do you actually think the fuel delivery truck has a custom sticker for what is being delivered? What I was eluding to was if the owner wanted to be accurate that is what his sticker should probably say. If his fuel was less than 11% it would not qualify for the tax exemption now would it? No harm no foul. Maybe you could relate this to him if you ever talk to him again.
Find out what that something is, as the Illinois bio blends should not affect his dpfs after 2 tanks. I agree with crankcase dilution but what are the other contamination risks? You talk like bio is poison and you are being forced to drink the kool aid. If what your guy says is true all the fleet owners would be having the same problem and they would not be able to purchase all their fuel needs from a select number (5%) of fuel suppliers. They also would be replacing or servicing their dpf's after every 2 tanks. Just because he made a business decision that does not qualify it as a good one. Many people where I have worked tried to blame failures of equipment on an issue where they did not fully understand the underling cause just shot from the hip and said "Yep that's it" in the end many of them were wrong.
The contamination risk I was alluding to was described in some post I read a year or so ago which relayed a detailed research report done for VW which found excess levels of contamination (algae/water etc) in over 40% of Diesel storage facility tanks. There was an extremely high correlation between bio content and contamination level. Not that it's the same science at all but the hassles remind me somewhat of issues with ethanol. I have to drive to Elkhorn WI just to get non-ethanol gas for my Alfa Romeo as the ethanol (which is in ALL NE IL gas) dissolves the natural rubber in the lines and gaskets of the fuel supply system.
I know the sticker is generic. I also note that compliance, enforcement and accuracy seems rather lax. I'm not sure how they regulate the tax break situation for the station owner other than paperwork associated with each individual tank purchase.
I never understood why VW only sent the waivers to Illinois residents. If they are willing to honor warranty claims due to B20 fuel usage for Illinois residents, why not everyone? I live in NWI but work at O'Hare. The fuel range of the TDI usually means I don't have to worry about fueling in Illinois but it kinda stinks that I basically have to avoid 95+% of gas stations in Illinois. I have found a few gas stations off the toll road I use if in Illinois but I still think VW should at least extend the waiver to neighboring states.
Strange piece of research here: I constantly monitor EGTs via digital dash gauge and it seems that I regen more frequently when I fill with D2, vs B11. When I fill with D2, my pressure differentials drop between the pre DPF sensor and the post DPF sensor, triggering a regen. Sometimes twice a day (60 miles round trip) When I run Bio, it's consistently every other day and much more predictable. I'm pretty confused here because this contradicts all my understanding of how these fuels affect the DPF. I do run power service when I fill with D2, I wonder if that has anything to do with the more frequent regens. More experimenting to come. .......
You have the perfect spot. Delta Sonic has awesome diesel in Downers Grove (or any of their locations that have diesel). It's the same Citgo Premium Diesel that you can get at only 1 Citgo station in downtown Westmont (the locally famous Jimmy's Premium Diesel).
There is no need to list verified B11 stations. 99% of stations are B11 now. When this thread was started it was the time period when stations were converting from D2. We now only highlight stations verified as straight diesel.
If that is the case why is Mobil on the Toll at the Lake Forest Oasis selling 5% Bio content Diesel? Why wouldn't they just sell the premium?
I stopped in there and asked the owner who wasn't sure so he asked the station manager and he said it was B5. Note that I didn't fill up there as I am trying to only use Pure Petro with lubricity additive. I filled up in Salem Wisconsin BP and was impressed got 52/MPG first ever usually around 47.
