DJM

Greg thanks - I know about Bio - its been on B100 for at least 4 years & 60k so it isn't the 'bio cleaning out the crud' problem... I suspect that switching back to petro diesel might have dropped muck out of the system - I have used it in the interim when I couldn't get bio... It wasn't a planned switch back more 'oh the suppliers shut down'.... AFAIK according to the service schedule the fuel filter should be changed every time if using bio... Anyway motor much happier now & so am I

New filter and return valve (for good measure) fitted - fuel line is now 'clean' (apart from the 'usual' odd air bubble). Not road tested but feel confident it will be OK! Peeved as it was serviced (112k) not long ago & they obviously didn't change the filter, although it may not have been on the list! I have just switched FROM using Biodiesel (B100) (for several years) as my supplier shut down - I wonder if that has had any effect on the filter... & perhaps I should have told the garage to service it as though I was using Bio as they would have changed the filter then.... Ho hum... D

Duh...! Thanks guys - the question about how many wires made me realise that it was just the level sensor in the delivery unit... I have had the pipes off the filter & can suck through from the tank relatively easily (and couldn't blow back so assume there is a non-return valve in there somewhere!), but couldn't get anything through from the filter outlet pipe (difficult to tell as couldn't get onto it very well) also filter is full if I take the return valve off. Anyway have new filter & return valve to go in tomorrow & we'll see.... Re- Smoke - difficult to assess colour as only happened when on my own, if there is enough vacuum being generated by the mechanical pump might it suck some oil from itself? Car runs as long as I keep the instant MPG>33 so driving like a granny at present! D:(

I had the same problem & never got to the bottom of it, pulls up to 2500-3k then dies & turbo (audibly) spins down, worse under load - also no power persists even at lower revs until you shut off & restart. When it happens & you look at the (clear) fuel hose there seems to be lots of air getting in... Seems to cure with a filter change so my theory is the filter is blocking & collapsing at high flow rates??

My Manual lists fuse 16 as 'Air con / electric water pump' - worth checking?

2 .... I assume it is the pump as they are quite thin but I could be barking up the wrong tree here! Plus I didn't reverse the fusebox layout so am not sure which fuse I checked - but the fuel pump is number 28 and there isn't anything in that one!!! D

^&%&^%%(& took it to the dealer.. Explained EXACTLY what the problem was - no power to lift pump. "I'll put it on the tester..." ... Later "Doesn't show anything wrong, 2 temporary faults now cleared"... Grrr Still pipe full of foam (And I mean foam not bubbles!) and no go.... Anyone got a schematic for the Octy (or can point me at where to gt one - other threads suggest the Elsawin stuff is no good for the mk1, is the golf / other VW stuff useful?) - at least that shows me what is connected between the 15A Fuel pump fuse and the 2 wires on the top of the tank.... I'm sure its going to be something trivial & stupid & I don't fancy paying MD rates given their lack of interest.... D

Belated thanks guys - I now have an 04 plate 1.4Tdi BUT my Bio place has shut up shop grrr...... Still debating whether to go down the homebrew route - some nice processor designs on the veg oil forums (Graham Lamming designs) but would rather pay someone else to do the messing about as I have little enough time as it is! Still saving around 2k a year on fuel is worth doing! Anyone know of a bio producer in York / Thirsk / Boroughbridge area? Thanks David

2 New bulbs in thismorning & all OK... Didn't notice a bulb out warning - but it is a basic model, I agree that often the first bulb out isn't noticed & then when the 2nd goes it gets very dark!... I did look at the bulbs initially but they /looked/ OK - there was the slightest break in the filament, usually there is a decent sized bit missing! David now if I can just get my octy sorted....

My octy started playing up in the snow last week... Under acceleration in 2nd gear it will get to about 2500 rpm, really hesitate & then struggle up to 3000 when it then feels better. Lots of blue smoke out the back when doing this! Also ASR light came on... Symptoms same with ASR turned off, but it does feel like the ASR cutting in big time! Looking under the bonnet the clear fuel delivery line looks like it's full of foam there is so much air in there, so I check the Fuel lift pump fuse - OK (Swapped it with the ECU one to prove it!). I pulled the plug off at the pump with the engine running - no change in symptoms & no volts at pump plug... So does anyone know if there is anything else in 'the way' between the fuse and the pump (EG crash sensor , cutout relay etc) & where it is located so I can hit it one? Booked into dealer for a check tomorrow but would like to get it sorted... Thanks David Edit: 51 plate 1.9Tdi Elegance

Duh Yep 12v on bulb socket & no cct through bulb, not even a single turn of filament missing so very difficult to see!! Check the obvious, Check the obvious, Check the obvious, Check the obvious, Check the obvious, Check the obvious, Check the obvious, Check the obvious, Check the obvious, Check the obvious,

Anyone in here able to help? My wife's 04 furby (1.4Tdi) has lost dipped beam on BOTH sides... Checked fuses OK, checked bulbs & look OK, dash pilot light comes on so assume switch is OK.. Is there a Relay anywhere in the circuit, I've had a good look round & can't see anything without starting to pull panels off... Just back out with the meter to see if there is any volts at the bulb terminals... brrrr David

Duh having looked at all the threads now I'm now totally confused.... It seems that some manuals say B100 OK other say not a chance... even those that say not it will work OK in some & it's just skoda covering their a**e What seems to be sure us that having a DPF will probably cause problems, but which models have one (someone said no furby I has a DPF so what date did the II come out?) Decron seems to run PD engines on some proportion of Bio (or WVO?) but not necessarily 100%, big dave seems to use B100 or straight veg oil? FWIW the octy is on 112K & has run B100 for probably 80K of those (trouble is the world and his dog have found my garage & they run out by the middle of the week...) Only problem is cold starts (but we haven't had a proper winter yet...) - But I know that isn't a PD engine... Stuff the warranty - anything I buy will be out of warranty anyway - I just don't want to trash it in a major way! (Edit - I suppose the worst case is a new set of PDs/injectors, any idea what that will set me back? Fitted?) Can anyone confirm if all the furbys are PD engines from intro or are some non-PD? Tia DM

Thanks guys - Hey that sounds like an excuse for a VRs!! I thought all the fabs were PD's from intro? The octy takes a few churns to start on a cold morning & lots of white smoke... I tend to do 2 preheat cycles which seems to help & sometimes remember to put the winterising agent in when I fill up! DM

HELP We ware looking for a new used car to replace a decrepit astra.. Tax runs out end of month & it won't pass an MOT... I run a 51 plate Octy 1.9Tdi on B100 (most of the time) & want to run the new car on it as well. I get conflicting stories about whether I can run a fabia on it or not - one story says 'anything up to mid 2006' is OK, another says 'not in PD engines' (which all the fabs seem to have)... Another says not if it has a DPF... Anyone in here using B100 - or can you check what your Handbook says - I suspect VAG have changed their story over time and may originally have said yes & then said no for the exact same model!! I want a Vrs or 1.9Tdi, the wife wants a 1.4Tdi ho hum... (but not a 1.9 Sdi - 0-60 'eventually'!) Anyone selling one in the York area? Thanks David