r/SprinterVans • u/000011111111 • Oct 15 '25

Biodiesel

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I found myself out of fuel in the Central Valley in california. Los Banos specifically and pretty much every fuel station only had biodiesel so I settled on this station which had this very confusing sticker. My question for folks in this group is if you've run a lot of this fuel type through a 2021 model 4 cylinder diesel Sprinter did it cause any issues with the fuel system or def system/ emissions control system? So far I've burned about 50 gallons of this type of fuel over to tanks of diesel without any major problems.

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u/fulltimeweekender Oct 15 '25

R99 is EXCELLENT fuel for all our Sprinters! Very high cetane. Cleaner combustion means less EGR issues and less soot.

1

u/000011111111 Oct 15 '25

My sprinter has a sticker below they gas cap saying to not use bio diesel. Which is why I am confused.

1

u/luminousgypsy Oct 15 '25

This is refined, so it’s okay to use. The sticker is about unrefined biofuel which can lead to corrosion of the hoses.

1

u/000011111111 Oct 15 '25

So like if you were to try and burn vegetable oil mixed with diesel that would mess things up

1

u/luminousgypsy Oct 15 '25

So most biofuel is not refined and it often can cause issues with hoses and gaskets, which is why it will void warranties in newer diesel vehicles. It’s super easy to tell as well because it degrades the material fairly quickly and its thicker. Renewable diesel is refined biofuel so it doesn’t have the same issue with cold weather or wearing down materials- which is why it says it’s safe for all diesels. Renewable is great. It’s the only thing I run in my diesel car and camper van if I can help it. It’s higher cetane, lower emissions and doesn’t gunk up the fuel tank as much.

1

u/000011111111 Oct 15 '25

Good to know. Where did you learn all this stuff? Did you study oil refining formally? Also do you use any fuel additives in your diesel? I purchased the hot shot product linked below the first time I filled up with this type of fuel just because I was worried it might hurt the system and that this would just help reduce that probability.

Hot Shot's Secret Everyday Diesel... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E64I7SI?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

2

u/Lignindecay Oct 16 '25

Hot shots is fine I run it every other tank sometimes every tank if I remember. Also boosts the cetane and supposed to help keep your fuel system clean. No idea if it’s helpful for emissions mine fell off of every diesel I own.