Bio-disaster?

dhbear · May 22nd, 2006, 13:01

Help. Any advice/thoughts/guidance would be appreciated.
I have been running B-5 in my '02 Golf for about 2 tankfulls. I have joined a biodiesel co-op and this past weekend added 5 gallons of our co-op biodiesel to my tank and topped off with petro-diesel. That's about a B-30 mix. The next day, while on the highway the engine "ran away". I was trailing white smoke and shut the engine down asap. Had the car towed in to my dealer and have been informed this morning that it's seized!
The dealer does not know exactly what happened without tearing down the engine. Since it's going to cost me big bucks to replace the engine, I'm not inclined to spend more for an exploratory on the toasted engine.
I find it hard to believe this could be fuel related but of course cannot prove anything. Has anyone heard of this before in association with bio-diesel use. I'm sure you can understand I'm not inclined to use any bio-diesel again if I do not know. I was very bullish on bio but now I'm in shock.

mparker326 · May 22nd, 2006, 13:23

Sorry to hear that. Contact username JasonTDI for help. He is a tdi guru and lives in Madison. I'm sure he can diagnose/help you out.

ICNTDRV · May 22nd, 2006, 13:35

Sounds more like a blown turbo. If it breaks at the shaft, which i've seen happen, then it could send metal shards and motor oil into the cylinders. I think you can check the turbo without too much difficulty. Should just be a matter of pulling off the intake tube and stick your fingers down and see if the turbo spins.

I don't see how Biodiesel could possbily cause a problem this drastic, especially in such a small blend. VW RECOMMENDS B5 in TDIs.

I think. Probably. Maybe.

pirate_40 · May 22nd, 2006, 13:36

good luck dhbear -- please keep us all posted.

I have only seen a run-away diesel engine one time before -- it was something wrong with the air intake. I dont think a diesel can run away on fuel alone -- it must have air.

Pirate_40

n1das · May 22nd, 2006, 13:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by ICNTDRV

Sounds more like a blown turbo. If it breaks at the shaft, which i've seen happen, then it could send metal shards and motor oil into the cylinders. I think you can check the turbo without too much difficulty. Should just be a matter of pulling off the intake tube and stick your fingers down and see if the turbo spins.

I don't see how Biodiesel could possbily cause a problem this drastic, especially in such a small blend. VW RECOMMENDS B5 in TDIs.

I think. Probably. Maybe.

The engine most likely ran away on its own oil dumped into the intake from the blown turbo. Then the engine seized after all the oil was gone. I seriously don't think the BD had anything to do with the failure.

Sorry to hear. Good luck.

Gothmolly · May 22nd, 2006, 19:16

Sounds like a blown turbo. Keep us posted. Remember, 'post hoc ergo propter hoc' is a logical fallacy. Ignore the "more than B5 is teh evil!!1!" crowd here until you have proof Bio is the culprit.

Fortuna Wolf · May 22nd, 2006, 22:00

Oh please. You know that biodiesel can eat away at the turbo metal, breaking it within a day. Only run B5.

bioTDInBENZ · May 22nd, 2006, 22:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fortuna Wolf

Oh please. You know that biodiesel can eat away at the turbo metal, breaking it within a day. Only run B5.

your kidding right?

Fortuna Wolf · May 22nd, 2006, 22:50

hint: I'm mocking Audi5k

ncmkiii · May 22nd, 2006, 23:17

That sucks. Are stock turbos high failure items?

Fortuna Wolf · May 22nd, 2006, 23:33

I've seen posts where people haven't had a problem with the turbo in 400k miles, and others where people have them brake 30k miles into the car. Personally, its a moving part that is subjected to extreme conditions and requires maintenance (style of driving and oil). I think with proper maintenance it'll last - or they can fail as often as a MAF.

vwrobert51 · May 23rd, 2006, 00:47

no i dont think biofuel, was the cause this time, sounds like something went in the turbo and it was already failing before you added biofuel mix. and like the others said ,oil got into the intake and car ran away untill engine siezed from lack of oil, i used to see this on older diesels until they came out with a recall for oil vent hose and valve, also if your cars a 2002 and under 100k, you might have some waranty comming on engine (powertrain 10y 100k ) good luck.

hey weres audi5000tdi anyway??? did he get lost some were?

Variant TDI · May 23rd, 2006, 03:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by pirate_40

was something wrong with the air intake. I dont think a diesel can run away on fuel alone -- it must have air.

Diesels get all the air they want. There's nothing in the intake other than the turbo.

myke_w · May 23rd, 2006, 06:14

I'd have them prove that the engine is locked by showing me how the engine won't turn over by hand, then when they can't, I'd laugh in their faces and have AAA tow it to a "competent" vw tech.

dhbear · May 23rd, 2006, 06:37

Thanks for the responses. I've had a little time to calm down now!
I don't think bio is responsible for this either. However I proceeded to use a higher than approved concentration of bio while still under warranty.
And I chose to be truthfull about it with the dealer. My dealer is Zimbrick VW and I have had nothing but good things to say about the way I've been treated by them over the 4 years I've driven the car.
I'm very fortunate in that I am financially able to replace the engine without going into debt, so that's a blessing at this point. I would love to have the bad engine torn down and the problem pin-pointed but do not have the facilities/knowledge to do so myself. Nor do I want to spend additional money on exploratories at this time.
I will probably continue to use B-5 in the new engine but nothing higher until I hear more from VW. Yes, I know I'm chickening out but I can't afford any more un-warrantied problems at this point. I'm still very enthusiastic about bio but am kind of between a rock and a hard place in my own thinking.