Dom-300tdi · Dec 10, 2009

Biodiesels can cause more problems than theyre worth as the chemicals used to produce it can eat away at seals in the engine/fuel system. Also theyre not *that* much cheaper and from an environmental standpoint, seems a bit silly to go using a 'biofuel' which has had a load of toxic chemcials added which are not only harmful to you and the environment in themselves, but also produce loads of carbon emmisions during manufacture. Stick with pure veggie: better for your wallet, your car and the environment.

The only thing I would say is that using veg oil on any direct injection engine is risky business. You can probably get away with it up to about 50/50 with diesel but if you want to go beyond that or run on 100% the best way is to go for a twin tank setup. That way you start the engine on diesel to get it warm and also use the heat from the engine to thin the oil close to to viscosity of diesel. Then before turning off you change back to diesel to flush everything out to stop fatty oil deposits from gumming up the injectors/injector pump.

PASTMASTER · Dec 10, 2009

MR D. said:
I cant recall ever seeing Bio fuel for sale, who sells it?
Do you have to mix it? sounds a lot of faff or is it straight forward.

List of suppliers at Welcome to Biodiesel Filling Stations

Some have pumps, some only sell by the container. I have used Pure Fuels Ltd - London's Biodiesel Company in North London, who make 100% recycled diesel and sell it through a normal pump. We also have a station near London Bridge, but they are within the Congestion Charging zone. Morrisons sell 30% bio but it's probably not recycled and it's the same price as normal diesel. All diesel you buy now contains 5-10% bio by law.

MR D. · Dec 10, 2009

Dom-300tdi said:
Biodiesels can cause more problems than theyre worth as the chemicals used to produce it can eat away at seals in the engine/fuel system. Also theyre not *that* much cheaper and from an environmental standpoint, seems a bit silly to go using a 'biofuel' which has had a load of toxic chemcials added which are not only harmful to you and the environment in themselves, but also produce loads of carbon emmisions during manufacture. Stick with pure veggie: better for your wallet, your car and the environment.

The only thing I would say is that using veg oil on any direct injection engine is risky business. You can probably get away with it up to about 50/50 with diesel but if you want to go beyond that or run on 100% the best way is to go for a twin tank setup. That way you start the engine on diesel to get it warm and also use the heat from the engine to thin the oil close to to viscosity of diesel. Then before turning off you change back to diesel to flush everything out to stop fatty oil deposits from gumming up the injectors/injector pump.

Thanks for that, when you say use veg oil I assume you mean vegetable cooking oil?
Will this damage a TD5 engine? How much is veg oil and where do you get it from in enough bulk to run a vehicle on.

PASTMASTER · Dec 10, 2009

MR D. said:
Thanks for that, when you say use veg oil I assume you mean vegetable cooking oil?
Will this damage a TD5 engine? How much is veg oil and where do you get it from in enough bulk to run a vehicle on.

As said above, the consensus over MANY threads like this is - don't put cooking oil in your TD5. The fuel system is high pressure and doesn't like it. Saving a few pence is quite likely to cost you a very expensive engine repair. Bio-diesel is, or should be, to the same spec as normal diesel or better. Cooking oil isn't. Older diesels like the TDi can deal with it.

MR D. · Dec 10, 2009

Think I'll stick with the normal pump fuel to be on the safe side especially as the saving appears to be minimal.

Thanks for all the advice.

Dom-300tdi · Dec 10, 2009

If you can get it used from your local pub or chip shop you'll be paying anything from 0p to a few pence per litre. All you have to do then is filter out the crap. TD5 is a common rail engine and common rails are a lot more fussy when it comes to veg oil. I wouldnt like to say it cant be done, but you have to be a bit more careful; twin tank setup as a bare minimum but you may need an uprated intank lift pump and the ecu may need to be tweaked too. Also the type of injectors and injector pump would need to be taken into consideration. I've not done any research on the TD5 but some makes of pump are more tollerant than others.

PASTMASTER · Dec 10, 2009

Dom-300tdi said:
. TD5 is a common rail engine and common rails are a lot more fussy when it comes to veg oil. I've not done any research on the TD5 but some makes of pump are more tollerant than others.

I think I'm right in saying the TD5 is NOT a common rail engine. Although it does run on much higher fuel pressure than the TDi.
CharlesY has just posted that he puts veg oil in his TD5, so maybe it's OK after all? See http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f8/petrol-diesel-disco-3-a-91228.html#post927363

Dom-300tdi · Dec 10, 2009

I've always been told the td5 is common rail, you might be right though. Just cause you can put veg in a td5 doesnt mean it wont harm it long term. Again, might be fine but i just dont know. What little I do know is about the 300's. If you to try it with your td5 let us know how you get on!

MR D. · Dec 10, 2009

Thanks guys, TBH I dont do massive miles so savings would be very minimal and I'd rather not take the chance of buggering the engine.
Its an interesting subject though and as fuel cost continue to rise it will become a serious option for some people.

Years ago people used to brew ther own beer down the bottom of the garden (and still do) to save a few quid I guess some will be trying the same with fuel

Dom-300tdi · Dec 11, 2009

We did that in our student house at uni. It was actually surprisingly good!

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