Vegetable oil for TD4

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RichM

RichM

Well-Known Member
Posts
1,840
Location
UK
Hi,

Firstly, I searched for this assuming there would be loads on this topic, but oddly the search feature isn't returning many results for "vegetable oil" in the Freelander forum. Maybe the admins need to re-index the posts?

Land Rover Zone - Search Results

Anyway, how does the TD4 cope with vegetable oil? I've read conflicting views on various websites. Not sure if it's worth the risk, but it is something I'm interested in.

Thoughts?

Rich
 
general consensus of opinion is:

DON'T DO IT

there are multitude of reasons, but from what I can gather, it's not kind to the pump and injector seals on the TD4. there is quite a lot about it on here, search for vegetable oil in the general section rather than the freelander section.
 
Hi Rich,

I have just signed - on as a new member and saw your thread. I am looking for a Series 111 engine or to completely overhaul my current one (and the CAV Fuel pump), because I tried the vegetable oil trick. Admittedly i did not use the recommended 13rd 2/3rds rule when I last filled up with the stuff, but the effect was catastrophic. I have stripped my engine down, and found that the Fuel pump is seized, and I suspect that the oil galleries are blocked aswell.

I have heard that the old CAV pumps are particularly susceptable to blockage - but...

My advice would be that if you are keen to save 50p a litre on fuel, you make sure that the mixture ratio with diesel is right. That said, I won't be trying it again.

Cheers,

AJPS
 
Thanks for the advice. I will give that a miss I think.

What about biodiesel though? Same story? Ofc I am referring to proper biodiesel that's sold at proper fuel stations as opposed to unrefined, raw vegetable oil.
 
RichM said:
Thanks for the advice. I will give that a miss I think.

What about biodiesel though? Same story? Ofc I am referring to proper biodiesel that's sold at proper fuel stations as opposed to unrefined, raw vegetable oil.
Click to expand...

there is a specific paragraph in the owners manual that says again:

"DON'T DO IT"

I'll try and find it tonight when I get in. I was inclined to believe this, I couldn't see that there would be an axe to grind between LR and the fuel companies, why would they say this if it didn't cause a problem ? If it didn't cause a problem, LR wouldn't give a toss what fuel you used.
 
From what I understand, its worthwhile staying away from Veggie oil in any engine that has an ECU management system.

Used it fine in my Disco 300TDi but wouldnt risk it in the TD4 :suspicious:
 
RichM said:
Thanks for the advice. I will give that a miss I think.

What about biodiesel though? Same story? Ofc I am referring to proper biodiesel that's sold at proper fuel stations as opposed to unrefined, raw vegetable oil.
Click to expand...


Don't use biodiesel as that's what damages the seals. I was told you could use straight veg oil up to 25% & decided to give it a go when the warmer weather started coming in earlier this year. I got rapeseed oil as it's the thinnest & added less than 25%, took the car out for a 4 mile run & all seemed ok. Next morning I got up & the weather had turned cold again, end result being the car refused to start for three days. Had to wait till the weather warmed up again a bit before the car would start & I spent 3 - 4 hours driving about aimlessly trying to burn of fuel so I could top up with diesel. I do believe it will work ok with a lower concentrate but it's not really worth it as you won't really save much.
 
There are two main problems with veggie oil.
Firstly it has a higher viscosity than deisel so to deliver the same flow rate the pressure required is higher, thus creating a higher load on the pump bearings.
Secondly these oils lack the lubricity of mineral based fluids so that they do not protect the mechanicals from wear.
 
Hello
Different answer for you.
We run 2/3rd shell diesel with 1/3rd bio-diesel plus millers at normal dose, been doing this for about 10 months and it runs like a dream. Don't recomend all bio as it's too thick and you will have problems starting up.

Ours is a 2002 td4, and after various diesel mix's we find this the best. Others may disagree and everybodies use's are different.

Hope you find what works for you.
 
Skinny Mike said:
Hello
Different answer for you.
We run 2/3rd shell diesel with 1/3rd bio-diesel plus millers at normal dose, been doing this for about 10 months and it runs like a dream. Don't recomend all bio as it's too thick and you will have problems starting up.

Ours is a 2002 td4, and after various diesel mix's we find this the best. Others may disagree and everybodies use's are different.

Hope you find what works for you.
Click to expand...


Problem with biodiesel is that the some of the chemicals they use to process it remain in the fuel & they are the ones responsible for attacking the seals in the fuel systems of the BMW engines. This is why BMW & Landrover specifically state that you shouldn't use biodiesel with these engines. It's also why regular mineral pump diesel contains less than 10% biodiesel, some companies use only 5% as they don't want to be sued for damaging peoples cars. Some makes will happily run biodiesel but the BMW/Landrover M47 engine isn't one of them.
 
been running my 02 td4 on biofuel now for 2years and np at all 50/50 mix its fine to use as long as you buy properly made bio fuel not some think some one making in there garage
 
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