(Non-PD engines only!)

I've been reading lots of posts here, on other forums and on various info/business websites about using cooking oil as a form of fuel.  From what is said, most seem to run on a mix of 60% cooking oil (SVO) and 40% diesel in the summer months, then put the concentration of SVO right down/cut it out in winter.  There appears to be little side effects apart from smelling like a chippy and possible diesel pump wear (in the cold I expect).

My question is, does anyone else personally use this fuel and what experience have they had with it?  I am (& mu housemate - MkIII TDI - is) seriously considering this in my non-pd MkIV as a viable alternative to £130/L+ at the pump.  I'd appreciate any advice etc. from any others who have any experiences!

May even try it as early as next week!

Cheers

 i personally do this on my mk3 sdi

ive had it since jan and done 12000 miles nearly and have ran it since i had it

at the start i was runnin 50/50 but at the moment due to weather and fuel prices im run 70%veg/30%derv

some times in very cold weather i had to let the glow plug light go out twice but par that nothing.

get same non existin performance,lol and same mpg

hope this helps

 what about making it from waste veg oil, i have been looking at doing this.

it doesnt appear too hard

im running a 60% oil/ 40% derv mix in my 106 and it goes fine,and as said the only downside is the smell lol    places are realising now though and putting the price of new oil up.  it was 1.04 a litre last week in the super market

 I know that certain fuel pumps on the 306 didn't like it. The ones which self lubricate,

I'm not sure on the golfs.

Collie:

 what about making it from waste veg oil, i have been looking at doing this.

 

it doesnt appear too hard

There's a rather intense filtration process involved here isn't there?

As for pumps - It's Lucas(?) pumps in Peugeots that don't like it, not the Bosch in VW's I think.

Try this link: http://www.etruk.com/index.php

All you need to start converting chipfat to biodiesal, an my understanding is that VW diesels will run on 100%. Thats 11p a litre.

Only problem is that chippys are getting wise to it and starting to sell their fat and My Golf is  a V5!

I'm not on about making/using biodiesel, I'm literally talking about putting cooking oil straight into the fuel tank as a 60/40 mix with regular diesel.  They're 2 different things, though from similar beginnings.

 how much is the oil near you? best i found was a quid a litre

Yes, me too, but miffed about that.  Seems the supermarkets have cottoned on.  About 6months ago, my mate was buying it for £8 for 15L, now it's nearly doubled!  However, assume you're doing a 60(oil)/40(diesel) mix, you still save money.

Take diesel at 1.25L and the MkIV tank is 50L.  so 1.25x50 = £62.50 a tank of diesel.

60/40 would be a bit cheaper -

diesel = 20L x 1.25 = £25

oil =       30L x 1      = £30

Which is collectively   £55.  So you save £7.50 on a tank if using 60/40.

I only looked in Tesco though, not sure how much cooking oil would be in big wholesale places such as Costco?  I know someone who goes there regularly though, so will ask.  Asda/Morrissons are generally cheaper than Tesco too, so they may be worth a go.  I still think it's worth it, I'll save £15 a month.

There is the option of getting used oil from somewhere, but I'm not sure about the filtration/cleaning process.  Also, I've a feeling that oil suppliers are demanding the oil they supply is returned when used.  May be worth investigating though.

 The thing to thing about Benjie is the £7.50 you save on a tank worth the chance of a shafted fuel pump which will probably cost £300 to sort out. I know "Dirty Diesel" as my mate who runs a pump repair shop calls it is his friend as he gets loads of work from it including non PD diesel VW's 

Also if you are using waste veg oil from a chippy you need a waste license to legally collect it.

Neil

Is it bad for the pump?  I thought the Bosch ones used in VW were ok with oil?

 Some interesting comments here, not read it all but it would seem many people use biodiesel in pd engined cars with no power or mpg loss, although if you read further down someone did have power loss from in a car with an aftermarket oil filter but when VW changed it to a bosch one, all was well.

http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/584106403/m/610104208

 Benje, there's a place in thatcham that does ready made bio-diesel for £1.10 a litre and you don't need to process or clean it etc.

 What is pd??

PD stands for 'Pumpe Deuse,' a literal translation is 'Pump Jet.'  It's the newer type of diesel engine used by VW from 2000-2004* (well, it was, they've moved to commonrail now).  PD engines run under incredibly high pressure on each injector - part of the reason they switched to commonrail I think.

From what I've read, PD engines don't like SVO at all!  Probably due to the pressure in the injector and viscosity of the oil.

For reference, PD enines are 100bhp (engine code ATD - yours p-mwrx), 115bhp  (AJM), 130bhp (ASZ) and 150bhp (ARL)

Mister_E - got anymore details on that place that sells BioDiesel?

* = Dates are approximate!  We all know they vary by model/manufacture etc.!

 PD= pumpe deuse.

It is/was the new diesel engine which came in 100/115/130/150 hp.

Which took over from the 90/110 hp engine which can use the Veg oil where Pd's can't(or not recommened).

 Damn those teachers with the quicker typing skills!

Don't make me correct your spelling and punctuation young-ish man!

 so i can use veg oil in mine then?

Well I would say "No" because in your signature area you say you have a 100bhp ATD engine which, as I said above, is PD.

But I also notice in your signature that you say you have a T reg Golf TDI, which wouldn't be PD.  Go and look under your boot carpet and if the 3 letter engine code is AGR, ALH or AHF then yes you can.  Any other's, you can't.

 Cheers