Xantia on veg oil?

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superloopy
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Xantia on veg oil?

Unread post by superloopy »

Does anyone remember when running your diesel car on veggie oil was a thing? I guess this is one for the older members but I have found 20L of unopened veg oil in the far flings of my garage while giving it its 10 year 'spring clean' :lol: . Will it still be usable or does all oil of any type degrade after so long? My engine isn't running atm but, on the wild assumption that it will run at some time, should I keep it or bin it? Bit of a curve ball in know ... :rofl2:
Mike

Xantia Activa Dante Red MK1 (96) 121k - SORN, to be broken
Xantia Activa Silex Grey MK2 (98) 120k -SORN, ditto
Xantia V6 Silex Grey MK2 (98) 95k - non-runner
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PaulC5
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Re: Xantia on veg oil?

Unread post by PaulC5 »

For what they are worth, my thoughts are diesel is around £28 for 20 litres now so if you use the veg oil this is your possible saving. However, if it messes up the engine you will not get much in the way of repairs for £28.
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myglaren
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Re: Xantia on veg oil?

Unread post by myglaren »

You could add it incrementally, a litre or so with each fill up so it is heavily diluted with diesel.
Not in a HDi though. Proper biodiesel is OK in them, I ran my first C5 on biodiesel made by a company on the industrial estate where I worked. £0.76p a Litre and it worked well and even had a pleasant exhaust smell, vaguely like alcohol. They made it to run their fleet on until they discovered the bloke managing the biodiesel production was robbing them so stopped doing it.
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CitroJim
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Re: Xantia on veg oil?

Unread post by CitroJim »

Rebuilding Bosch diesel injection pumps that had sprung leaks or had died in other ways from running on veg. used to keep me well amused back in the day...

The oil you have is likely to be very rancid by now and potentially partially polymerised. I bet it stinks to high heaven...

It'll be OK, as Steve says, to use small quantities at a time... Only if you have a Bosch pump. Veg. is death to all Lucas/Rotodiesel pumps, even in fairly high dilution...

Don't use it if it is significantly polymerised - gone thick and plasticky.

Be prepared to swap your fuel filter more frequently and keep a spare in the car - with enough tools to swap it...
Jim

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myglaren
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Re: Xantia on veg oil?

Unread post by myglaren »

Or just make lots of chips.
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CitroJim
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Re: Xantia on veg oil?

Unread post by CitroJim »

myglaren wrote: 26 May 2025, 17:51 Or just make lots of chips.
Bet they'd taste a bit!!!
Jim

Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
superloopy
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Re: Xantia on veg oil?

Unread post by superloopy »

Thanks guys. I did run it on veggie 'back in the day'. Possibly why the cars nor ran for a good few years but it's time to make decisions and I'm going to have one last look at why she not starty starty and then 'maybe' let go. 1.9TD, bosch pump.
Mike

Xantia Activa Dante Red MK1 (96) 121k - SORN, to be broken
Xantia Activa Silex Grey MK2 (98) 120k -SORN, ditto
Xantia V6 Silex Grey MK2 (98) 95k - non-runner
Xantia TD Storm Grey MK1 (95) 95k - non-runner
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CitroJim
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Re: Xantia on veg oil?

Unread post by CitroJim »

superloopy wrote: 26 May 2025, 19:531.9TD, bosch pump.
You'll be OK with that setup Mike :D No doubt the best way to dispose of that old oil ;)
Jim

Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...