Engine performance and crankcase lubricant viscosity were followed with 1:2 and 1:1 fuel mixtures of degummed soybean oil in No. 2 diesel fuel in tests with a John Deere 6-cylinder, 404 cubic in. displacement, direct-injection, turbocharged engine for a total of 600 running hours. A crankcase oil contamination problem resulting in an unacceptable thickening and a potential for gelling did exist with a 50/50 blend or a greater concentration of soybean oil, but it did not occur with the 1:2 blend. The data accumulated during the initial 600 hr running time indicates that a fuel blend of one-third degurnmed soybean oil and two-thirds No. 2 diesel (1:2 blend) may be a suitable fuel for agricultural equipment during periods of diesel fuel shortages or allocations. Additional data are being accumulated and will be analyzed in the future.

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