My car was built in early 05. It has a sticker on the fuel flap saying 'not for biodiesel'. Can anybody shed any light on why this is?

According to page 3 of this...

http://ws.skoda-auto.com/download/ENG/other/environment/environment/DPF.pdf

... they have only just started offering particulate filters on the car and this is what makes the car incompatible with biodiesel. Therefore, why do I have that sticker?

I think its to do with the changed service schedule applicable from VAG 2006MY cars (many of which will have been built in the second half of 2005) which has extended fuel filter change intervals. I have the same sticker on my Passat Sport TDI built April '06. However, IIRC somewhere in the owner documentation there is a reference to the necessity of changing the fuel filter more frequently if biodiesel is used.

If the type of particulate filter used is the sole reason for preventing biodiesel use, I'd remove the filter and use biodiesel; it's not only a renewable resource, it makes 1/10th of the soot that mineral diesel does so there is less need for any type of particulate filter.

I heard that PD injectors had problems with the water content of biodiesel. That's a red herring because biodiesel made to the appropriate standards contains less water than ordinary mineral diesel.

I have a PD105 Octy that was manufactured in April 05. Can i run this on bio ? No paticulate filter and I do my own servicing so can keep an eye on the fuel filter.

You'll be able to run any diesel with 5% bio because that's what comes out of the pumps in France, and manufacturers aren't going to produce a car that can't be used in one particular country.

I've known PD engines run on up to 30% bio, and I've heard of them run on 100% (but that needs confirmation). So the short answer is yes, but don't put too much in to start with - concentrations higher than 5% can flush cr@p out of the system and block the fuel filter. Also the fuel filter will need attention twice as frequently as for a car that doesn't use any biodiesel (on mine that's draining it every 10K miles and changing it every 20K miles).

Bryand,

thanks for the info, would you mind posting the detail of draining fuel filter,the

unit is not fitted with an external drain tap as previous, also any info if bleeding

required,thanks in anticipation.

On the PD 130 engine (and the other PDs as far as I know) the fuel filter cartridge is replaced as one piece - there isn't an element and a container. I asked the dealer for my old filter, thinking I would be able to see any contamination. It was still sealed. Next time I'll hack it apart to see inside.

I am given to understand that the filter primes itself with a little churning of the starter: no special procedure is used (but I'm open to correction here).

I bought my Octavia in May 2006 in France. It too has a note that biodiesel must not be used. I rang the distributor today and was told NO biodiesel, not even a 5% mix.

Why?

Dear Sirs,

Skoda Octavia TMBBS61Z662136343 1Z3364 BJB GQQ 9201 CA May 2006.

I don