[Biofuel] 1999 dodge 2500 diesel fuel mileage and misc.
Felipe, Here is the link in the archives that says what I have done to my 2000 Dodge 4X4 (with 295 x 16 tires) to improve mileage and performance: http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/msg55293.html . The mileages may be truly better (the numbers quotes were form the read-out on the console) as the speedometer reads 3 MPH slower than I am really traveling due to the taller tires. There is lots of other info on the Dodge Cummins engine in the archives as well; you just have to see what applies to you. Michele, stated in his reply about the automatic (which I have) having lots of issues. When I had the Banks kit installed I also had the following gages installed: Boost, exhaust temp, and transmission temp. I could not believe how hot the transmission ran when we started up hills or was in town. I went back and installed a drop Tranny pan which added 3 more qt.s to the transmission fluid capacity. The new pan was made of a thick aluminum with cooling fins all around it. This dropped the transmission temp. quite a bit and now it never gets over 250 F with the camper on and trailer in tow while pulling the hills here in Arizona in the summer (with outside air temps up to 118 F). Without the drop pan I had transmission temps up to or just over the 300 F range in the summer, which starts to boil the transmission fluid. I could see why a stock transmission would go out more frequently due to this excess heat. I would suggest that if you will be pulling loads / driving in town a lot, and / or will be in an area with high outside temps (like the southwest deserts of the US) invest in this transmission pan. As for the issue with the Anti-lock light being on, that happened to mine last year. But for me it was the antilock computer that was acting up. It was under the extended warranty we purchased, so the dealership replaced it and the problem went away. Ed ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Debatable statement?
Chuck, FYI, If you look back in the archives on this thread (Hurley, Edward R Tue, 13 Sep 2005 11:56:50 -0700)you will see what I did to make my 3/4 ton Dodge 4X4 move from ~17 mpg @ 70 mph to ~23 mpg @ the same speed. It included a gear vendor out-drive and a mild banks kit. We took a trip the past July through northern Arizona / New Mexico, southern Colorado / Utah / Nevada with the camper on the truck (camper has a GVW of about 2200 lbs) and averaged 21 mpg. for the whole trip. This included driving at high altitudes (many Mountains still had snow on them), head winds, wind resistance caused by the camper, etc. What I learned was to match the gearing with the performance that the engine can provide and you will increase both overall mpg's and performance. Ed -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Chris Chuck McGuire Sent: Friday, September 16, 2005 9:45 AM To: Biofuel@sustainablelists.org Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Debatable statement? I would be inclined to think that turbocharging, or possibly supercharging the engine would be a better alternative. Of course you will have to fabricate all of the parts, and I would wager that the injector pump won't be able to deliver the extra fuel that significant boost would require for full power. Where I live in SW Montana,USA, my 1994 IDI Diesel Ford truck (not my daily driver) could use a wastgated turbocharger just so that I could reach sea level power. My home is at 6400 feet, and as such, my power is down about 22 percent right from the get go. If I could fund a new turbocharger and exhaust system, and get boost to 20 pounds absolute manifold pressure, performance would increase, and less fuel would leave the tailpipe as black smoke. As an aside, I have noticed that when I run my truck on B-20 commercial fuel, when it smokes, the smoke is gray, rather than black, which I take to be a GOOD THING. Thanks for listening, Chuck ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.or g Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Was Debatable statement? [Now] Metro in crash
Not very fuel efficient and when the little car pulls out in front of you, you probably will not notice it. The ride in those trucks is pretty rough (rode in them for over 10 years) and you will just think you hit another bump in the road. Don't let Arnold see it or we will have something similar to the Hummer craze start all over again!!! Ed -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Zeke Yewdall Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 10:12 AM To: Biofuel@sustainablelists.org Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Was Debatable statement? [Now] Metro in crash Then again, it would be fun to commute to work in one of these http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/images/m-939-dvic3 59.jpg On 9/14/05, Zeke Yewdall [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: According to the laws of physics, in a inelastic collision between two objects, the one with more mass will contribute more momentum to the resulting system. If you run a 4000lb vehical head on into a 2000lb vehical, both traveling at the same speed, the lighter vehical will decelerate faster than the heavier one, and the lighter one will be driven backwards. This what everyone thinks about. But real cars don't behave like point masses, and they also have difference vector speeds. If you are hitting something else, a smaller car is probably just as good as a bigger one. If someone else is hitting you, then a bigger one may or may not be better. Other factors can also affect acceleration of the passenger compartment (crumple zones for example) besides sheer mass. And intrusion into the passenger compartment can be as big an issue as acceleration. Smaller and more rigid sides can be as good a big squishy easily punctured sides. And then, if we get into the better handling of many small cars vs the large SUV's that tend to flip during evasive manuvers, or ability to come out of skids easier, etc If I was going to park in front of an oncoming out of control ford excursion, I might like a bigger car. But then again, if a more nimble smaller car helped me get out of the way I might like that even better. On 9/14/05, Aidan Wilkins [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hello, As a note a Metro does just fine in a head on crash. I don't understand this concept that bigger is better in a crash. My sister hit a car that failed to stop at an intersection with her Metro. She was cruising at 55 mph. The car was of course totaled, but she was just fine, other than a seat belt mark. Aidan Greg H. wrote: True or False Underpowered vehicles can be just as inefficient as overpowered vehicles. Why or why not? All US models: 2000 Geo/Chevy Metro (1.3L 3cyl gasoline, 5 Spd Manual) EPA MPG: City 39 Highway 46 2000 Ferrari 550 (5.5L V-12 gasoline, 6 Spd Manual) EPA MPG: City 8 Highway 10 2000 Toyota Corolla (1.8L 4cyl gasoline, 5 Spd Manual) EPA MPG: City 31 Highway 38 The Geo is the definition of under-powered, but effecient (just don't run into anything)...you could gun it at every start and still get ~40 MPG. The ferrari is unbelievably over-powered.. IMHO the Toyota is just about right. Am I understanding your question correctly? -- Thanks, Paul He's the kind of a guy who lights up a room just by flicking a switch -- ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.or g Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.or g Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Debatable statement?
Agreed. As also stated by another list member the right tool for the right job. Case in point: I have a 2000 Dodge 2500 4X4 with the Cummings 24 valve diesel. It has the avg. and real time mpg readout in the overhead console. Going by that, the stock truck would get its best mpg / performance between 1700 and 1900 RPMs. This equated to 17- 18 mpg @ 70 mph while on flat ground in factory OD. Above that I would get more performance (pulling power), but less mpg. I installed a Gear Vendors split out-drive and at 70 mph my RPM was only ~ 1450. I thought that this would be great and I would be getting better mpg. But when I checked the real time mpg gage I was actually getting less (~15 mpg ). I then installed a mild Banks kit (accessory computer, 4 SS exhaust, KN air filter and we changed the fitting from the turbo to the waste gate with one that had a smaller center hole (this increased boost from ~22lbs to 26 lbs before the waste gate would open). What this did was open up the sweet spot that the engine gave its best mpg / performance ratio from the original 1700- 1900 RPMs to 1500 1900 RPMs. The result was that I can now be in the 4th over gear (factory OD + gear vendor OD) doing 70 mph and I get 22- 23 mpg. @ 80 mph I get 20 21 mpg @ 1800 RPMs. Not bad for this size truck. With the extra gears I can also match the gear to engine speed while climbing the mountains around here and get much better mpg while maintaining the highway speeds on the freeway. The example would be with the camper on the truck and towing a trailer, the factory OD is too high a gear to get up the long hills, yet the factory 3rd gear is too low a gear and although I get the power, the engine RPMs are too high to get any mileage. But using the Gear vendor I can select 3rd over which is between the factory 3rd and OD gears and this gear gives the best of both worlds. In other words, less RPM doesnt necessarily mean more mpg. If you are below the engines performance zone you start to lug the engine and get less performance / mpg. The goal is to open up the engines peak performance / mpg zone and to provide the gearing to make the best of it. I now have acquired several gals. of WVO from the cafeteria here at work and I will be learning the process of making my own Biodiesel to run in the truck. Speaking of that, I was told by my neighbor that one of the local cities who is running Biodiesel in their vehicles (busses, heavy trucks, etc.) is having problems with the Biodiesel and the Cummings engines. I did not have time to get the specifics from him, but from by readings of the discussion site, I could see not changing the fuel filter enough (after switching from D#2 to Bio as the Bio will clean the system out) to maybe having a bad supplier of the Biodiesel. Does anyone else know of issues with running Biodiesel in the Dodge Cummings engine? Ed From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Kirk McLoren Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2005 9:22 AM To: Biofuel@sustainablelists.org Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Debatable statement? The fuel efficiency of an engine is not a constant. At high throttle settings economy is sacrificed for power. ie the grams of fuel used per horsepower hour increases. That is why infinite ratio transmissions would be worthwhile. And ideally - lossless. At low loads the fixed burden of the engine becomes significant. Most diesels look best around 70% of design max. Kirk Greg and April [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: True or False Underpowered vehicles can be just as inefficient as overpowered vehicles. Why or why not? Greg H. ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ Yahoo! for Good Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
[Biofuel] BioDiesel becoming Main Stream?
Hi all, I stumbled across the Jtf web site while doing searches on Biodiesel. I had not really heard about the fuel other than occasional mentions; usually said by someone who said they heard it from a friend who heard it from a friend, etc. When I asked automotive mechanics about it, I would get strange looks and told that they had heard about it (usually the same way I did) and you would not get much power out of it, followed by do not use it because it will ruin your engine. Well the reading I have done in this discussion group has long since blown those comments away, and now I am the one telling people about the advantages of the fuel. The problem was not many would believe me. Well last week a TV show called Trucks!, which focuses on improving horsepower and performance on trucks did a spot on Biodiesel. I missed the show but went to their WEB site and saw this http://www.truckstv.com/default.aspx Episode #: 2005-13R. Digging into the system they used to make the fuel, I found out it was the one from a kit supplier called Biodiesel Solutions http://www.biodieselsolutions.com/home/home.asp. The system is high priced, etc. but my point here is this; here is a weekly hot rod TV show that is doing a spot on Biodiesel, and showing their Dodge truck doing burn-outs on the fuel. Hopefully this (along with all the discussion topics I save from the Jtf site) will help dispense some of those negative rumors around here about the Biodiesel. Ed ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
[Biofuel] Looking for someone in Phoenix AZ. (USA) area making Biodiesel
List, I wish to set-up a processor at my home for personal use making ~ 36 gals. a week. I am looking for someone in the Phoenix Arizona (USA) area who has been successfully making Biodiesel (preferably WVO) and is willing to let me see their set-up to talk about the construction / process dos and donts. I have read quite a bit in the Jtf archives and am learning more each day. (Thanks Keith!!!) I would like to see a system in person now to exchange ideas so I can start building mine with fewer construction and process errors. Thanks all, Ed Edward R. Hurley (Ed) TRES Engineering Team Intel Corporation CH5-165 5000 W. Chandler Blvd. Chandler, AZ. 85226-3699 (480)554-9980 wk / (602)591-7219 pgr. ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
[Biofuel] Looking for feedback on Biodiesel system
List, I was exposed to Biodiesel just a few days ago and have been searching the internet since trying to learn what I could. I have found several homemade systems and a few commercially available systems. I was looking for open honest feedback on the systems available at this web site: http://www.biodieselsolutions.com/home/home.asp . The price is very high compared to the homemade systems, but the point asked is would it work or is it a bad system. We have 4 people in my neighborhood who all use diesel trucks to tow campers or horse trailers and we are very interested the systems available. I was voted the one to find out what I could about how to make it and the systems available. Thanks, Ed ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
