Engine Oil Analysis of Biodiesel-Fueled Engines

The University of Missouri-Columbia and the University of Idaho monitored 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, and 1999 Dodge pickup trucks equipped with 5.9-L (360-in.3) Cummins diesel engines from 1991 through 2001. These pickups have been fueled with 0, 1%, 3%, 20%, 50%, and 100% blends of methyl-esters and ethyl-esters of soybean, canola, and rapeseed oil (biodiesel). Analysis of engine lubricating oil, taken when the oil was changed on the vehicles, was compared to the analysis of oil samples taken from 100% petroleum-fueled diesel engines. The findings indicated that the biodiesel and biodiesel blend-fueled engines were wearing at a normal rate.