Skodas and Biodiesel?

[P20]

I thought that octavias couldn't run biodiesel, but noticed a greenline Taxi this morning claiming to be on the green stuff. I know pd has a big no bio on the fuel filler door.

[skippy41]

There is a daft mk1 owner here in the borders running his on chip oil, he is even running a vito on it

[pueseso]

Well, almost all current diesel cars can use bio-diesel without any problem at all.

The only reason not to use bio-diesel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiesel) is because it destroys natural rubber so some inner joins built of this component may be affected. However most cars starting from 1992 have changed natural rubber with KTM (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FKM) so it is completely safe to feed them with this bio-diesel.

May be there are other reasons (political and or economical) but afaik this was the only drawback of bio-diesel. If anyone has any other info about this it would be great to hear about it.

[psycholist]

I'm pretty sure emissions regulations are the reason most diesels now can't use biodiesel. The problem is though that because biodiesel is no longer considered in the design of the engine I'd be surprised if a few biodiesel sensitive rubbers haven't been added again. Also if the biodiesel leaks into the engine oil they react chemically, ruining the oil, which ruins the engine, so it's a big risk in modern diesels, especially with the high standards the oil is required to reach in both PD and CR engines before it's suitable for use in the engine at all.

[Obadiah]

So what is the liekly effect of rhw 10% bio that the EU mandates?

[juan27]

Here's a link with some explanation:

http://www.biodieselfillingstations.co.uk/approvals.htm

[pueseso]

I remember one Golf III GT-TDI 110cv that I had some time ago stated very clearly in the manual that it could run with bio-diesel, but later in my Audi A4 B5 (TDI-115cv) it does not say anything about it.... strange.

[P20]

I just saw it advertised on the back of the car. Their website www.600600.co.uk also lists they use mercs, seemingly also on bio.

[camraman]

Found this on the Skoda website if it's any help;

Can I use Bio-Diesel in my vehicle?

Standard Forecourt Fuel – BS EN 590 Volkswagen Group does approve the use of diesel fuel containing up to 7% Biodiesel in all of their diesel vehicles. The change to legislation on 1st April 2010, insists that fuel suppliers must use at least 3.5% Biofuel in diesel production. In accordance with European legislation (Directive 2003/30/EC) the Biofuel content in forecourt fuel will gradually increase over the next few years, to meet the objective to reduce the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions produced by road transport. Filling station forecourts supply diesel (to the standard BS EN590), which can now contain up to 7% Biodiesel with at least 93% Fossil fuel. The use of this fuel requires no modifications to the vehicle or changes to the vehicles’ maintenance schedule. Important: BS EN 590 is approved for vehicles fitted with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). B30 Biodiesel Volkswagen Group does not approve the use of B30 Biodiesel in any of its vehicles. B30 Biodiesel is a blend of 70% Fossil fuel and 30% Biofuel, derived from Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME). The use of this fuel in Volkswagen Group vehicles may invalidate the engine and exhaust system warranty. 100% Biodiesel Certain Volkswagen Group vehicle models are approved to run on 100% Rapeseed Methyl Ester (RME) Biodiesel. 100% RME Biodiesel compatible parts fitted during manufacture of the vehicle is denoted by the vehicle PR code 2G0, which is found on the data sticker; however some of the older vehicles may not have this PR code. Always refer to the Owner’s Handbook and factory information regarding the vehicle’s compliance with Biodiesel before using this fuel type. In vehicles that are 100% Biodiesel compatible, Volkswagen Group has only approved the use of Rapeseed Methyl Ester (RME) to standard DIN EN 14214. No other Biodiesel can be used. For further information owners and drivers are requested to contact their local retailer or refer to their owner’s handbook.