To use veg oil in 156 2.4 or not

[mlatalfa]

A mate of mine is looking at buying a 2000 2.4 diesel and one of his questions is can it use oil like the older vectras, vw's etc.

I have trawled the forums, but have not got any concrete info. Can it be done or not? If so, has anyone done it?

[jug]

go on fiatforum and read the threads from 2.4 marea owners, they use it no problem.

[OperationAlfa]

I wouldnt in my opinion. You'll clog up the fuel filters and it won't run as sweet.

Just my opinion. I work for a biofuels magazine btw.

[rarebear]

In Holland you get a hefty fine if you use veg oil in a diesel !!!
The government don't like to be robbed , they do the robbing ...
i.e. 80 cent tax on a liter (1,12 euro) diesel.

[David C]

The usual issues are the filters and it going off in the tank/pipes.
Cold starts can be a problem too.

Obviously if you are going to use it in a car then you still need to pay the appropriate fuel duty on it. If you have no intension of paying the duty then you may as well just use red Diesel or heating oil.

[mlatalfa]

How long would it take for you to feel the effect on the fuel filters? Also, hows biodiesel compare, and what would you need to get it to run on bio?

Originally Posted by OperationAlfa

I wouldnt in my opinion. You'll clog up the fuel filters and it won't run as sweet.

Just my opinion. I work for a biofuels magazine btw.

[jug]

you only have to pay once you use a certain amount, and for the vast majority of people you wont use more than you're personal allowance.

apparently rapeseed oil doesnt give cold starting problems on the JTD, even in winter. some people have fitted seperate preheaters, but most havent and instead they use a 50:50mix with diesel in the coldest spells.

[OperationAlfa]

Red Diesel.... The farmers favourite!

[jug]

i only know of 1 person who got caught by the cherry dippers in the last 8 years and all they got was a warning so red diesel is a good option imo.

[OperationAlfa]

Originally Posted by mlatalfa

How long would it take for you to feel the effect on the fuel filters? Also, hows biodiesel compare, and what would you need to get it to run on bio?

Well you can run it up to 15% on the blend without problems.

However, the ethanol is pretty agressive and anything rubber will be eaten away if you have a higher concentration. Biodiesel is better than veg oil though, no doubt about it.

Regarding the fuel filters, it depends on the quality of the fuel and the particulate percentage... I'm just scanning in an article from the last issue.

OA

[jug]

Originally Posted by OperationAlfa

Biodiesel is better than veg oil though, no doubt about it.

i dont give a toss about the environment, but if i did then i would stay away from biodiesel because farmers destroy forests to grow crops to make biodiesel. but as far as the engine and fuel system is concerned it is better than svo or wvo (and diesel imo, for its cleaning properties)

[OperationAlfa]

Originally Posted by jug

i dont give a toss about the environment, but if i did then i would stay away from biodiesel because farmers destroy forests to grow crops to make biodiesel.

The biggest argument against the use of biofuels..that and that farmers are growing less crop for food production, and more for fuel.


For the record people, Red Diesel is the same as standard. The Red refers to the die that is put in it to show that it is TAX exempt.

[OperationAlfa]

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[jug]

Originally Posted by OperationAlfa

For the record people, Red Diesel is the same as standard. The Red refers to the die that is put in it to show that it is TAX exempt.

despite the silly rumours that were spreading like wildfire a few years ago.

its the same for svo and wvo today, the rumours dont agree with real world experience, but it does a good job of keeping fuel tax revenue up so the rumours are doing their job as far as the govt are concerned.

[OperationAlfa]

article fixed.

[symon]

I thought the government had effectively abolished duty on home produced Bio Diesel, according to car mechanics mag. I think you can make enough Bio Diesel for around 20,000 miles per year if your car does 50mpg.

If you are recycling oil from chip shops, take aways etc, then there are no environmental downsides, as the oil would otherwise be thrown away.

[jug]

Originally Posted by symonh2000

I thought the government had effectively abolished duty on home produced Bio Diesel

yes, and also veg oil.

[mlatalfa]

Ok, just come across this:

"DON'T try biodiesel in any Fiat group JTD/Multijet (and I suspect the new GM engines built using Fiat technology). They simply are not compatible with biofuel and you will rapidly kill your fuel pump and lines.

Mind you, it took Alfa nearly a week to find this information for me......

Very disappointed as I am keen to use alternative fuels and traditional methods wherever I can."

Alternative fuels: Motoring Discussion forum

Anything in this statement?

[OperationAlfa]

Originally Posted by mlatalfa

Ok, just come across this:

"DON'T try biodiesel in any Fiat group JTD/Multijet (and I suspect the new GM engines built using Fiat technology). They simply are not compatible with biofuel and you will rapidly kill your fuel pump and lines.

Mind you, it took Alfa nearly a week to find this information for me......

Very disappointed as I am keen to use alternative fuels and traditional methods wherever I can."

Alternative fuels: Motoring Discussion forum

Anything in this statement?

Depends on the % of ethanol blend.

Anything up to 15% up be fine. Much over that, and you will start to have problems.. :/

[jug]

you could always change your fuel pump to a safe one.

[mlatalfa]

Originally Posted by jug

you could always change your fuel pump to a safe one.

What do you mean by a safe pump?

[jug]

a pump with seals that are not affected (not rubber seals). you can take one from a donor car and fit it, as long as the pump has the same flow rate then your fuel rail pressure will not be affected. in some cases you can still fit a pump with a slightly higher flowrate, but never lower.

obviously any rubber lines also need to be replaced.

[badgers_nadgers]

I watched an episode of 'It's not easy being green' and Derek Strawbridge turned veg oil into bio-diesel.

He runs a course on it, but it looks like it's fully booked. Clicky.

[Pud237]

I heard that common rail diesels can't be ran on veg oil without converting it to bio diesel first as it is too viscous. You could do it by having a two tank system and a heater for the veg oil tank though, but this is more investment than most people would be willing to make.

I'd just use red diesel myself, if I could get a steady supply of it. There haven't been cherry dippers round here for years, and last time there was they only pulled 4x4s that were covered in mud (ie farmers)

[jug]

Originally Posted by Pud237

I heard that common rail diesels can't be ran on veg oil without converting it to bio diesel first as it is too viscous.

that is why the JTD needs rapeseed oil, and if you dont use a preheater it is best to mix it with diesel.