VEGGIE OIL OR SIMILAR IN A C5???

chris050 · Post by **chris050** » 24 Aug 2009, 18:17

Folks
I had a previous query with my new (to me) C5. The feedback I got was fantastic and I thought I'd run this one by you all. Maybe I shouldn't tinker with this subject but just thought I'd ask....

I have a 2002 C5 2.0 HDi 110 Manual
I do get very good MPG, averaging 47-48mpg but I was wondering if these engines are capable of running on a "cheaper" fuel like veggie oil or bio-diesel. Has anyone tried it? Am I likely to knacker the car if I try it myself? Is it an absolute no-no or can it be done without modification?

As always, the advice I get will be heeded!! lol

Chris

Trainman · Post by **Trainman** » 24 Aug 2009, 18:22

Hi Chris, I can only speak for myself here, I spoke to Citroen about using Biodiesel in 2.2 HDi I had, they told me in no uncertain terms that (a) it would void the warrenty (b) It could cause a considerable amount of damage.

hence gave it up as a bad idea, but i could be wrong..........

chris050 · Post by **chris050** » 24 Aug 2009, 18:34

Hi Trainman
I kinda thought that might be the nature of replies. I know some cars will cope with it better than others. A friend has an old Vauxhall Vectra diesel and he uses veggie oil regularly with no complaints. But I can't afford to make a mistake with my one and only car.

Many thanks
Chris

red_dwarfers · Post by **red_dwarfers** » 24 Aug 2009, 18:34

I would have thought a twin tank setup where the properly refined veggie oil was brought into play once the engine had reached a certain temperature and was switched back to diesel a good few miles before the end of the journey to flush out all the veggie oil from the injection pump. This would only work on longer journeys what with the HDIs being such effiecent lumps. Im no expert mind.
The old 1.9 Bosch injected TD will run on anything that feels oily or so it seems

Post by **myglaren** » 24 Aug 2009, 19:06

No!

Veg oil in an HDI will ruin it

It doesn't vapourise like diesel and doesn't burn completely. The residue coats the cylinder walls and gums up the rings and valves.

Only the older engines with a pre chamber can burn svo properly.

I have run mine for a while on properly converted biodiesel. First from wvo then from straight rapeseed oil. It was no different than standard diesel in performance or economy (mine is rubbish anyway) but the exhaust smelled better than standard diesel.

KP · Post by KP » 25 Aug 2009, 09:11

Bio-Diesel should be fine in any modern diesel car, at least 5% of what you put in from a normal pump now has to be bio anyway

For cars that have run on normal diesel for a long time there are some pitfalls...

- It will clean the fuel system out very well so be prepared after about 500miles or less to get your fuel filter changed after running on 100% bio.

- mix it in portions, so on a C5 that would be about 10 litres for the first 2-3 tanks and if its ok move upto 20 litres of bio per tank and so on and so forth.
If any misfiring or loss of performance develops go straight back to dino diesel.

- In winter most people mix anyway unless they make their own bio and winterize it. this can easily be done by putting in at least 10litres of a performance diesel to every tank full of bio thins it down enough for the cold to stop it trying to wax over.

- Dont forget to boot you car every now and again even on normal diesel as it will help clear the cobwebs off as it were, and is good on bio as it helps burn things off a little bit more than dino diesel.

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 25 Aug 2009, 13:01

Most manufacturers I've heard about do not warranty any more than 5-10% biodiesel in their engines either.
Personally, I would use nothing but proper diesel in a direct injection car.
If you want to use biodiesel or veg, then you'll just have to sell up and buy a better car, like the Xantia 1.9TD

cachaciero · Post by **cachaciero** » 25 Aug 2009, 19:21

Veggie oil ? No! not just No! but hell No!!, No way!.

Pure Bio Diesel? Well in theory, but I think I would want to know a lot about the quality control of the source and characteristics particularly with respect to lubrication and viscosity before I would use it.

cachaciero

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » 25 Aug 2009, 19:34

Don't PSA say no more than 30% bio mix in a HDI?

falling-out-with-my-car · Post by **falling-out-with-my-car** » 27 Aug 2009, 14:28

NO Not veggie but bio diesel yes but only use B30 blend which is recommended for use in citroen HDi's by citroen.

chris050 · Post by **chris050** » 27 Aug 2009, 14:28

Hello all

I think the general consensus here is that it isn't worth talking the risk. I'm not really interested in getting twin tanks or making any alterations to the car so I reckon the best thing to do is leave it as it is. Like I said, my economy is actually very good so rather than ruin what I think is a really nice driving car I'll suffer Alistair Darling's taxes!!

Again, many thanks for your views.

Chris

falling-out-with-my-car · Post by **falling-out-with-my-car** » 27 Aug 2009, 14:34

whilst we are on this subject is it possible to down grade an HDi diesel engine so it will be happy on clean new veggie oil ie fit an older bosch pump and change the injectors?

just a thought for the future.

have just found this www.businesscar.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=2126

hope the link works but it says that citroen has ok'd a blend of Biodiesel ie B30 for use in all their HDi engines. if in doubt ring the main dealership they should know.

hope it helps.

regards Nigel.

cachaciero · Post by **cachaciero** » 28 Aug 2009, 13:25

falling-out-with-my-car wrote:whilst we are on this subject is it possible to down grade an HDi diesel engine so it will be happy on clean new veggie oil ie fit an older bosch pump and change the injectors?

just a thought for the future.

have just found this www.businesscar.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=2126

hope the link works but it says that citroen has ok'd a blend of Biodiesel ie B30 for use in all their HDi engines. if in doubt ring the main dealership they should know.

hope it helps.

regards Nigel.

Hdi to Bosch is not on, the Hdi is a direct injection engine, engines that use the Bosch e.g XUD are indirect injection and use a completely different head design to achieve this.

cachaciero

john alexander · Post by **john alexander** » 01 Sep 2009, 19:43

Hi against all advice my son tried to run his 406 hdi on veggie mix, on the second tankfull the lift pump gave up. Luckily it worked again after cleaning the system out. our MOT station reckon your lucky if the pump lifts diesel never mind vegetable oil. regards John

falling-out-with-my-car · Post by **falling-out-with-my-car** » 02 Sep 2009, 18:19

So \citroen are giving out the wrong information Then?