Hawkeye
Veteran Member
Refilled tanks at my usual marina. A couple of weeks later, I learned that the marina had recently changed, with no notice to customers, not only its diesel suppliers but the fundamental nature of the diesel fuel itself. They now sell a plant-based fuel supplied by an unknown company with the advertised name of MY Neste (and I put 250 gals of this stuff on top of 200 gals of conventional diesel.) I searched and found a seemingly large (global) Finnish refinery and plant-based diesel fuel supplier named Neste MY (go figure.) I've asked them to send me the info I need to feel confident that my 30-year old Cat 3208s can run on their plant-based fuel and that seals etc. wouldn't be compromised. No reply after two weeks.
I called my well-regarded local Cat representative, found a technical guy said to be steeped in diesel fuel knowledge. He didn't know anything about plant-based marine diesel fuel compromising marine systems but eased my worry by saying that 3208s are known to be tolerant of fuels, and said that they have proven to run well for years on drain oil!
I've been using plant-based diesel in my 10-year old MBZ diesel SUV with no known damage, but this after doing a fair amount of research. So far, so good but it is a "newer technology car", and certainly not ancient 3208 powered.
What can we all expect with our 3208s (and other older marine diesel engines) with these alternative fuels? (Beware of marina's changing to such alternative fuels without warning) Anyone have relevant experience or technical knowledge to contribute to the Forum?
I called my well-regarded local Cat representative, found a technical guy said to be steeped in diesel fuel knowledge. He didn't know anything about plant-based marine diesel fuel compromising marine systems but eased my worry by saying that 3208s are known to be tolerant of fuels, and said that they have proven to run well for years on drain oil!
I've been using plant-based diesel in my 10-year old MBZ diesel SUV with no known damage, but this after doing a fair amount of research. So far, so good but it is a "newer technology car", and certainly not ancient 3208 powered.
What can we all expect with our 3208s (and other older marine diesel engines) with these alternative fuels? (Beware of marina's changing to such alternative fuels without warning) Anyone have relevant experience or technical knowledge to contribute to the Forum?