running on bio diesel

kincaid

hi all,

just wondering if these 3 vehicles of ours can be run on bio diesel.
they are 2003 vectra 2.0 dti, 2002 passat tdi and 2006 vw caddy van tdi

thanks

jimgoose

kincaid wrote: »

hi all,

just wondering if these 3 vehicles of ours can be run on bio diesel.
they are 2003 vectra 2.0 dti, 2002 passat tdi and 2006 vw caddy van tdi

thanks

Sure. Just be aware that it typically has lower resistance to gelling at low temperatures than its mineral cousin. That shouldn't be a huge problem in Ireland, though.

kincaid

OK THANKS, but could I fill the tank totally with bio diesel or am I better to mix with ordinary diesel

jimgoose

kincaid wrote: »

OK THANKS, but could I fill the tank totally with bio diesel or am I better to mix with ordinary diesel

You can do either.

Matt Simis

kincaid wrote: »

OK THANKS, but could I fill the tank totally with bio diesel or am I better to mix with ordinary diesel

You should start by mixing it then increase the mix pending how well or not its running over a period of time. The big question mark is how well its made, proper stuff is excellent and a viable total replacement for diesel. Where are you getting it and what price?

Also be warned, on cold startups Biodiesel smells exactly like burning hair. Quite a treat if you cannot visualise that smell. :pac:

dr.fuzzenstein

Matt Simis wrote: »

Also be warned, on cold startups Biodiesel smells exactly like burning hair. Quite a treat if you cannot visualise that smell. :pac:

Having once burnt my nostril hair whilst re-lighting a very short fag-end, one sympathises.
Question is, where does one obtain bio diesel in Ireland?
Just out of curiosity, I don't think my TDCI will like it.

kincaid

Well i filled my car with bio diesel but only got approx half the miles out of it compared to ordinary diesel... surely that cant be right

Chimaera

Avoid biodiesel in anything with a DPF - the different combustion characteristics of biodiesel screw up the regeneration system and can lead to DPF failure and an expensive repair bill.

Well i filled my car with bio diesel but only got approx half the miles out of it compared to ordinary diesel... surely that cant be right

Where did you buy the fuel? Is it proper FAME biodiesel or veg oil?

With any biodiesel, you can expect a few percent hit in economy due to the lower calorific value of biodiesel. Some of this might be cancelled out by the higher cetane rating of biodiesel, but this is minimal unless the car is retuned for it.

Sounds like you got a batch of really bad fuel there. I'd avoid using it again if you don't want to see expensive repair bills in future.

MugMugs

Point to note. Get a spare fuel filter if you're using Biodiesel. It has a tendency of dragging up all the crud in your tank and depositing it onto the filter. Consequence of that being a failed start on the 3rd fill onward....