Biodiesel

Anyone consistently running Biodiesel? I'd like to hear about your experience.
Any change in performance/mileage. What blends are being used. What you're paying and if that's any different than standard Petrodiesel.

Also specifically, is it OK to put un-blended (B100) biodiesel in our TDI's? Anyone have experience with this?

There's a station ~30 miles from me that sells B100. I don't mind burning 1.5/2 gallons to go there if it means I'm using something totally biodegradable and environmentally friendly.

unless you are deleted, dont even bother.

You are in Illinois. You most likely burning B11 already. B100 would be a disaster.

"Don't Bother"
"Would be a disaster"

but why?

Use the search function provided.


It was awesome, so cool and trendy then it wasn't.

Since it takes the same amount of time to reply with a link as it does without, here's a handy starting point.

https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/hybrid-electric/a6326/4311498/

tl;dr

Biodiesel can foul the DPF because of the way the injection cycles are set up on CR diesels in an attempt to meet modern emissions standards.

pmm said:

Anyone consistently running Biodiesel? I'd like to hear about your experience.
Any change in performance/mileage. What blends are being used. What you're paying and if that's any different than standard Petrodiesel.
Also specifically, is it OK to put un-blended (B100) biodiesel in our TDI's? Anyone have experience with this?
There's a station ~30 miles from me that sells B100. I don't mind burning 1.5/2 gallons to go there if it means I'm using something totally biodegradable and environmentally friendly.

Click to expand...

If you still have your 120k dieselgate emissions warranty intact VWOA will void it if they find evidence that you ran B100 in it. B5 and under is the only bio blend currently approved for use in VW CR engines. They will extend that SLIGHTLY if you live in an area where higher bio blends are required by law (like b11 in Illinois).

I’ve run nothing but Propel HPR through my 2012, it’s the cheapest fuel I’m my area and it’s supposed to be cleaner burning than anything else available

CheapBastard said:

I’ve run nothing but Propel HPR through my 2012, it’s the cheapest fuel I’m my area and it’s supposed to be cleaner burning than anything else available

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I read the info provided by Propel about their fuel’s properties like clean burning. Does anyone know if that has been confirmed by anyone besides the company making and selling the product?

no DPF, yes
DPF you'll be plugging it

Pre DPF like my sons 7.3 power stroke ate up 50% motor oil having
no starting or any other real issues. Not sure of Bio @ any % as I've not seen any stations for years here in Ca. Of course the 7.3 had no DPF

It's a pretty big No No in common rail TDI's to run B100. The HPFP pumps up the fuel pressure to a level beyond what biodiesel is capable of remaining stable at.

For more info, Check out DrivByWire's thread a while back.

https://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=469382&highlight=biodiesel

Edit: I dont think that was the thread I was looking for. I read a thread a number of years ago (when I had my 2009 Jetta) where injectors were getting gummed up (presumably because of the effects of biodiesel at high pressures and high temps).

JELLOWSUBMARINE said:

no DPF, yes
DPF you'll be plugging it

Pre DPF like my sons 7.3 power stroke ate up 50% motor oil having
no starting or any other real issues. Not sure of Bio @ any % as I've not seen any stations for years here in Ca. Of course the 7.3 had no DPF

Click to expand...

Plugging the Dpf has nothing to do with it, It's Carbon reside on the injectors and fuel dilution. The problem with the dpf systems is during a dpf regen is when the fuel dilution occurs. So I guess you are right about no dpf ok, but you will still have accessive carbon residue on your injectors.

Fixmy59bug said:

It's a pretty big No No in common rail TDI's to run B100. The HPFP pumps up the fuel pressure to a level beyond what biodiesel is capable of remaining stable at.
For more info, Check out DrivByWire's thread a while back.
https://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=469382&highlight=biodiesel
Edit: I dont think that was the thread I was looking for. I read a thread a number of years ago (when I had my 2009 Jetta) where injectors were getting gummed up (presumably because of the effects of biodiesel at high pressures and high temps).

Click to expand...

I have heard the injectors and filter becoming gummed up could be a potential issue. Is this something that happens because of running biodiesel in and of itself, or does this happen when people switch from regular diesel to bio?
Could regular diesel accumulate tank residue and the biodiesel breaks it loose sending it through the system?
If so I'd like to know if anyone tried running bio (with no dpf or egr) early on in the car's life vs one with higher mileage at the time of the switch.
Can't additives effectively mitigate the higher viscosity of bio?

pmm said:

Any change in performance/mileage. What blends are being used. What you're paying and if that's any different than standard Petrodiesel.

Click to expand...

Biodiesel will give you 20% LESS MPG. If you run B20 (aka 20% biodiesel), you'll get 4% lower MPG.