What do the manufacturers say about biofuels?
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lveco says its models are able to run on a 7% blend of biodiesel. but it warns that operators (running an Iveco) risk losing their OE warranty if that limit is exceeded.
Similarly, Mercedes-Benz says that a 7% blend is acceptable for its Vito and Sprinter ranges, while its heavy trucks, including the Atego, Econic, Axor and Actros, are capable of running on 100% pure biodiesel.
It adds that those wishing to run their Mercs on B100 should be aware service intervals will decrease and engine performance will drop by between 5% and 7%. Paul Beasley, Castrol brand manager commercial vehicle oils for Europe and Africa, says: "To ensure our customers' vehicles operate effectively, we have ensured all of CastroIs heavy-duty engine oil can be used with biodiesel providing it meets the EN 14214 specification. The boiling point of biodiesel is higher than regular diesel, meaning that when it gets into the engine oil, it doesn't evaporate readily. This leads to a build-up of biodiesel in the engine oil, which can cause oxidation and corrosion problems in extreme cases leading to severe engine damage."