Biodiesel truck driving

Driving your biodiesel journey forwards

If you power your fleet with biodiesel, or fuel blends with higher biodiesel content, it’s important to use high-quality engine oils which have been tested for biodiesel compatibility.
Whether you work in road transport, construction, mining, or agriculture, or use biodiesel to power your business, the right lubricants can help keep your engines protected.

For biodiesel-compatible lubricants, choose Mobil Delvac

It’s important to invest in high-quality lubricants that have been extensively tested with biodiesel. Why? Because they not only help extend engine life, they can also contribute towards reduced maintenance costs.

We ran oxidation stability, low temperature pumpability and piston cleanliness tests on a series of Mobil Delvac™ oils in the presence of biodiesel to investigate the effect fuels with biodiesel content can have on oil properties. Our tests established that our lubricants can still perform consistently throughout their drain interval.

Our biodiesel-compatible range:

Our biodiesel-compatible Mobil Delvac oils can help deliver better fuel economy without sacrificing wear protection*. They can also go a long way towards extending engine life and oil drain intervals**.

Our long-standing relationships with, and endorsements from, engine manufacturers provide you with the added assurance that you’re using the right products for your equipment.

*Applies to Mobil Delvac 1 LE 5W-30 and Mobil Delvac XHP Ultra LE 5W-30. Fuel economy improvement is dependent on vehicle/equipment type, outside temperature, driving conditions and your current fluid viscosity.

**Results can vary depending upon the type of equipment used and its maintenance, operating conditions and environment, and any prior lubricant used.


Tips for switching to biodiesel

1.Source your biodiesel from a trusted supplier

Biodiesel can be produced from a variety of sources which can impact its properties and quality.
Ensure your biodiesel comes from a reputable fuel supplier, such as Esso, to ensure both quality and reliability.

2.Protect your engine with a biodiesel-compatible oil

Higher biodiesel content can increase the risk of fuel dilution, resulting in engine oil degradation and potentially component wear.
You can protect your engines with Mobil Delvac lubricants that have been tested in the presence of biodiesel and offer proven consistent performance.

3.Monitor your engine health with regular oil analysis

Once you have secured a quality biodiesel and compatible engine oil, it’s important to monitor your engine’s health in operation.
Mobil℠ Lubricant Analysis has been designed for this purpose.


What does increased use of biodiesel mean for your business?

Depending on the engine design, equipment builders may allow biodiesel to be used either alone or when blended with traditional diesel in various quantities.

In low concentrations, such as 7% used in the commercially available B7 diesel, the effects of the fuel’s different chemistry are typically negligible, but in higher amounts, it can impact the functioning of an engine oil. This can lead to:

  • accelerated oxidation yellow icon

    Accelerated oil oxidation

  • Piston deposits red icon

    Piston deposits

  • Cold flow temperature icon

    Altered cold flow properties

  • Viscosity icon

    Viscosity thinning

These factors can cause increased risk of component wear, unless a biodiesel-compatible lubricant is used. Fortunately, Mobil Delvac has you covered.

What is fuel dilution?

Fuel dilution occurs when fuel leaks into the engine oil in the crankcase. The presence of fuel reduces oil viscosity and can compromise its wear protection, interfering with optimal oil performance.

Whilst this process occurs in every engine, biodiesel usage can lead to greater fuel dilution, and – if left unchecked – increased wear.

Potential warning signs:

  • Viscosity hazard triangle icon

    Changes to the oil’s viscosity

  • Degradation hazard triangle icon

    Accelerated oil degradation

  • Corrosion hazard triangle icon

    Increased corrosion and wear

  • Sludge hazard triangle icon

    Formation of deposits and sludge

If you notice any of the above, it’s time to use Mobil℠ Lubricant Analysis to help check the health of your engine and quickly decide on what action to take.