Biodiesel and Engine Warranties
Download the Biodiesel for Business Engines: Fuel & Warranty Issues PDF
Download NWBA's joint letter with the Oregon Auto Dealers regarding biodiesel and warranties
Engine manufacturers explain that fuel is a not a warranty issue.
Still, they typically define what fuel the engine was designed for and
recommend which fuel to use. As biodiesel has gained in popularity,
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have been testing their diesel
equipment with different blends of biodiesel. OEMs
have agreed that a blend of 5% biodiesel and 95% petroleum diesel (B5)
is approved as a recommended fuel, provided that the biodiesel fully
adheres to the quality standards specified by the American Society of
Testing and Materials (ASTM) D 6751. Note that all biodiesel sold in
the Portland area has been rigorously tested to assure that it meets ASTM standards.
While all major engine companies have approved B5, a number have taken the next step and have accepted B20 as
a recommended fuel for their engines. These include Cummins Power
Systems, Detroit Diesel, International Truck and Engine Corporation and
others.
About Warranties
Whether or not a biodiesel blend is “recommended” is separate from the
question of whether the use of biodiesel affects engine warranty
coverage. Manufacturer warranties do not cover fuel, whether it’s
regular diesel, ultra low sulfur diesel or biodiesel. Warranties only
cover the manufacturers’ own workmanship and materials.
According
to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, “OEMs provide a material
and workmanship warranty on their products. In general, use of a
particular fuel should have no effect on the materials and workmanship
warranty. Such warranties do not cover damage caused by external
conditions, such as fuel. Thus, if an engine using biodiesel
experiences a failure unrelated to the biodiesel use, it must be
covered by the OEM’s warranty. Federal law
prohibits the voiding of a warranty just because biodiesel was used –
it has to be the cause of the failure.2 If an engine experiences a
failure caused by biodiesel (or any other external condition, such as
bad petroleum diesel fuel), it will not be covered by the OEM’s warranty.”
Just
as with petroleum diesel, reputable biodiesel suppliers stand behind
their product. If a problem is caused by defective biodiesel, the fuel
supplier will generally support the user in correcting the problem. Be
sure to check with your supplier about their product guarantee
policies. Also, since biodiesel is new to many mechanics and repair
shops, it is occasionally blamed for problems that have nothing to do
with the fuel. Again, your fuel supplier can be of assistance in
working through these issues.
Manufacturer Positions
The following are excerpts from some manufacturer’s recent position statements on biodiesel:
Engine Manufacturers Association - Up to 5% biodiesel, must meet ASTM D 6751
New Holland - B100. Must meet ASTM D 6751
Caterpillar - Many engines approved for multiple blends up to B100, others limited to B5. Must meet ASTM D 6751
Cummins Power Systems - All engines approved for up to 5% biodiesel, must meet ASTM D6751 Approved B20 for
a wide range of on-highway vehicles including medium and heavy duty
trucks, motor homes, school buses, fire and emergency vehicles, and
urban buses and shuttles. Formal, written warranty support for B20 for 2002 and later emissions-compliant ISX, ISM, ISL, ISC and ISB engines, including recently released 2007 products.
Detroit Diesel - Approve up to 20% biodiesel. Must meet DDC specific diesel fuel specification
International Truck & Engine Corporation - Approve up to 20% biodiesel, must meet ASTM D 6751
Fuel Injection Equipment
Bosch - Up to 5% biodiesel, must meet EN 14214
Delphi - Up to 5% biodiesel, must meet ASTM D6751
Stanadyne - Up to 20% biodiesel, must meet ASTM D6751
For
more information, go to the National Biodiesel Board’s Standards and
Warranties webpage,
http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/fuelfactsheets/standards_and_warranties.shtm
[1]
Iowa Department of Agriculture, Office of Renewable Fuels and
Co-products. National Biodiesel Board website,
http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/fuelfactsheets/standards_and_warranties.shtm
[2] Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/buspubs/warranty.shtm
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