Hi guys, 

I've just purchased an 02 plate Octavia SDI hatchback. Wanted to ask two things. Firstly what mpg should I expect? (I'll be keeping the car properly serviced and abiding by speed limits!)  Secondly, I understand that with a conversion kit, the SDI can be run on straight veg oil and/or biodiesel?

Thanks,

Schwartzwalder

Hi,

 

Is that the 1.9 engine? 

 

Mine is a 2004 non pdi 1.9TDi 110 and didn't need any conversion to run on veg/bio. I think the 130's only run on bio

Hi,

 

Yes, mine is the 1.9 too. 68bhp, non turbo. Do you run it on veg/bio in the winter too?

I don't know for sure on that engine as it's not the same as mine.

 

Yes, ran it for almost a year now on veg and bio. Winter I add 10% petrol to thin it down and keep from any waxing.

Thanks for the info. I've heard people talk about adding petrol - do you have to mix it up with the oil in a jerry or something, or do you just check it in on top of the veg/

What oil are you planning on using, used or new?

Both - There's a fuel station up the road from me that offers 100% biodiesel from the pump, made from waste for 90p a litre. I was also hoping to use fresh oil from the supermarket occasionally too. 

First thing to do is sign up to this brilliant place for the most knowledgeable people about all things veg/bio http://www.vegetableoildiesel.co.uk/mybbforum/index.php.  Find out for certain if you can use straight veg, if you can, do you have access to Costco? New oil works out to about 76p a litre.

 

A lot of use collect and filter oil as that works out the cheapest

 

In regards to bio stations, as AFAIK, it's very hit and miss depending on the process. Some people found their supplier hadn't settle out/washed/filtered properly, so crap settled out into filters in their cars. That was a few years ago though

Thanks for the link - I'll be going on that forum for sure! No Costco out here unfortunately, but we have a Booker it seems, so maybe the prices will be similar (hopefully). 

 

I didn't realise that about bio stations - def don't want to damage anything mechanical, so might just stick with the new oil. Thanks!

If its got a bosch pump on, it might be OK on SVO, but most SDIs have a lucas pump, which won't be. 

 

Edited 6 October, 20196 yr by StevesTruck

Steve is absolutely spot on if it's a Lucas pump 😞

Is it at all possible to change a Lucas pump for a Bosch one? Assuming the rest of the engine is the same?

Absolutely no clue on that one 😞

I ran a Fabia mk1 SDI (same engine as the Octavia) on new sunflower oil for about 5 years with no problems at all. In the winter I mixed it in the tank with about 50% diesel and had no trouble with waxing. I live in Northamptonshire so no really low temperatures. No idea what pump it had.

Edited 6 October, 20196 yr by peter3197

Northampton will probably have similar weather to where I am, on the coast, so that's good to know - thanks. As for the pump, really hoping its a BOSCH now.