Are there any warranty implications associated with the use of biodiesel as a low level blending component in diesel fuel?
Biodiesel enjoys the support of the Fuel Injection Equipment industry as an option to solve the lubricity problem with petrodiesel. Stanadyne Automotive Corp., the leading independent US manufacturer of diesel fuel injection equipment, supports the inclusion of low levels of biodiesel in diesel fuel for two reasons. First, it would eliminate the inherent variability associated with the use of other additives and whether sufficient additive was used to make the fuel fully lubricious. Second, Stanadyne considers biodiesel a fuel or a fuel component – not an additive. It is possible to burn pure biodiesel in conventional diesel engines.
Manufacturer warranties cover defects in material and workmanship, and those warranties extend to engines burning biodiesel. These warranties do not cover engine problems related to fuel of any kind. Tests and demonstrations, however, have shown that biodiesel is no different from petroleum diesel in terms of engine performance and wear. Original engine manufacturers (OEMs) that have approved the use of biodiesel include Case, Caterpillar, Cummins, Detroit Diesel, Ford, GM Motors, International, John Deere, Mercedez Benz, New Holland, Nissan, UD Trucks, Volkswagon, and Volvo.
