Can my 53 plate Audi A3 2.0 TDI run on Biodiesel

[Joe Osborne]

Hi guys,

I've searched and searched the internet for a definitive answer if I can run it on Biodiesel, and I just can't find anything. I rang Audi customer services and they couldn't give me a straight answer.

So has/is anyone using biodiesel in their 2.0tdi and can give me some feedback would be greatly appreciated!!


Cheers

Joe

[vdubbin]

Check the inside of your fuel filler cap. I'm pretty sure it says "no biofuels".

[WeirdNeville]

Pump biodiesel? Yes.

Veg oil/chip fat? No.

[Joe Osborne]

Will check the filler cap, but i'm guessing they will always err on the side of caution anyway. Warranties ete etc.

Joe

[HellDiver]

Depends on the "2.0TDI". If it's the 2.0 Commonrail then certainly not. If it's the PD with the peizo injectors, then certianly not. If it's the older non-peizo injector PD, then no problems.

[Joe Osborne]

Sorry for my pure stupidity but how do I know what sort of 2.0tdi it is?

[MElliottUK]

You have a PD 2.0tdi

[sider]

I ran my Peugeot 307 HDI on Pump BD and got about 1000 miles of cheaper motoring.

Soon to be evened out by a new fuel system - at £3k+ VAT.

Just be careful!

[SB10]

Joe Osborne said:

Hi guys,

I've searched and searched the internet for a definitive answer if I can run it on Biodiesel, and I just can't find anything. I rang Audi customer services and they couldn't give me a straight answer.

So has/is anyone using biodiesel in their 2.0tdi and can give me some feedback would be greatly appreciated!!


Cheers

Joe

I'd say give it a wide berth.

I have the 2.0 TDI in a Seat Leon, used supermarket fuel (upto 7% bio diesel) and ended up with injector issues. The Injectors specialist said they are seeing more and more issues caused by supermarket fuel due to the bio diesel being mixed in with it.

[AWRacing]

SB10 said:

I'd say give it a wide berth.

I have the 2.0 TDI in a Seat Leon, used supermarket fuel (upto 7% bio diesel) and ended up with injector issues. The Injectors specialist said they are seeing more and more issues caused by supermarket fuel due to the bio diesel being mixed in with it.

What symptoms did you get?
What was the fix?
I have a 2.0tdi seat leon on an 06 plate.

[SB10]

AWRacing said:

What symptoms did you get?
What was the fix?
I have a 2.0tdi seat leon on an 06 plate.

The car was down on power, sluggish and generally running st. When on the computer, 2 of the injectors were showing as not working 100%.

The place recommended I put a cleaner/additive through it, run on Shell /BP etc Diesel for a few tanks and see how it went. IF it didnt clear up they could look into cleaning them. I put Redex then Millers additives through it and a tank of V power diesel.

[nottyash]

SB10 said:

I'd say give it a wide berth.

I have the 2.0 TDI in a Seat Leon, used supermarket fuel (upto 7% bio diesel) and ended up with injector issues. The Injectors specialist said they are seeing more and more issues caused by supermarket fuel due to the bio diesel being mixed in with it.

I thought all fuel companies were doing it. I think you were unlucky and are clutching at straws by blaming the supermarkets TBH

[nottyash]

I ran my Fabia VRS on a tankful of veg bio diesel a few years ago. Its not recommended by VAG (I later read in the handbook) due to the pump dusse system.
The car ran fine, performance was not effected at all. The problem was starting, it took ages to start.
Many people are not aware that you can actually get more power from Biodiesel if you map your car for it as it has a higher cetane value (The diesel equivalent of octane)

http://www.angeltuning.co.uk/bio-diesel.asp

Edited by nottyash on Thursday 24th March 17:20

[AWRacing]

SB10 said:

The car was down on power, sluggish and generally running st. When on the computer, 2 of the injectors were showing as not working 100%.

The place recommended I put a cleaner/additive through it, run on Shell /BP etc Diesel for a few tanks and see how it went. IF it didnt clear up they could look into cleaning them. I put Redex then Millers additives through it and a tank of V power diesel.

Cheers, i only asked as mine was running lumpy on supermarket fuel - now only use Shell.
Have run a bottle of cleaner through over a few tanks and it seems to have cured it although i do still get a little hesitation at 2krpm on slight throttle.

[SB10]

nottyash said:

I thought all fuel companies were doing it. I think you were unlucky and are clutching at straws by blaming the supermarkets TBH

Yup thats correct, I decided Tesco were to blame, went to Shell and made up in my head that my car ran better.

[Joe Osborne]

nottyash said:

I ran my Fabia VRS on a tankful of veg bio diesel a few years ago. Its not recommended by VAG (I later read in the handbook) due to the pump dusse system.
The car ran fine, performance was not effected at all. The problem was starting, it took ages to start.
Many people are not aware that you can actually get more power from Biodiesel if you map your car for it as it has a higher cetane value (The diesel equivalent of octane)

http://www.angeltuning.co.uk/bio-diesel.asp

Edited by nottyash on Thursday 24th March 17:20

Cool, only did it once? If so why did you stop?

[nottyash]

Joe Osborne said:

nottyash said:

I ran my Fabia VRS on a tankful of veg bio diesel a few years ago. Its not recommended by VAG (I later read in the handbook) due to the pump dusse system.
The car ran fine, performance was not effected at all. The problem was starting, it took ages to start.
Many people are not aware that you can actually get more power from Biodiesel if you map your car for it as it has a higher cetane value (The diesel equivalent of octane)

http://www.angeltuning.co.uk/bio-diesel.asp

Edited by nottyash on Thursday 24th March 17:20

Cool, only did it once? If so why did you stop?

My car wasn't "mapped" for Biodiesel so it made no difference on performance, the starting problems were pretty bad so that was a good enough reason not to use it anyway, and the fact VAG never recommended it.

Most fuel companies are gradually increasing the percentage Biodiesel/ normal diesel mix, you should see it written on the pump. Its currently about 7%.

[Carfiend]

That is a good scam that. Start putting Bio Diesel in with the normal stuff then have a "Premium Non Bio" diesel without anyway and charge through the nose for it knowing that people will buy it as their VAG euro box says to not put Bio Fuel in.

[SB10]

nottyash said:

My car wasn't "mapped" for Biodiesel so it made no difference on performance, the starting problems were pretty bad so that was a good enough reason not to use it anyway, and the fact VAG never recommended it.

Most fuel companies are gradually increasing the percentage Biodiesel/ normal diesel mix, you should see it written on the pump. Its currently about 7%.

Supermarkets are around 7%... I'm sure the normal Shell diesel is 3%...

[AndrewW-G]

I did over 80K in a 1.9TDI Golf (PN53FGG) approx 70K of that was running on a blend of diesel and veg oil, car ran almost as well the day I sold it, as it did the day I bought it.
Only problem I had running veg oil, was that the ratio had to be reduced from 50/50 to 70D/30V in colder weather.