Biodiesel and/or WVO

From what I've heard running you diesel on veggie oil is a good way to shorten the life of a diesel. Considering some diesel engines are almost guaranteed to go 300,000 miles (diesel VW Jetta) that's a poor decision especially since you pay a little more up front for a diesel. Our 2006 VW TDI (Turbo Diesel Injection) always gets at least 39MPG city and 46MPG highway. Depending upon conditions we've also seen 50MPG highway.

Then there's always the need to find a veggie oil source. Plus if I remember correctly some of the new diesel engines are not compatible/convertible to veggie oil.

I was thinking more about an old car with a diesel engine.

On your 2006 VW, would you run Bio-diesel?

I wouldn't run biodiesel in my truck due to concern about sediment in the fuel. The US military is starting to use biodiesel due to government mandates, and they are learning a lot. The are finding that it is necessary to have agitators in storage tanks to keep sediment from settling in the fuel. Since my truck may sit for several weeks between RV trips, I don't have a big desire to have the fuel settling out while the truck is parked. I'll stick with dino-diesel until I see evidence that the biodiesel product is ready for prime time.

I have a friend that runs a trash hauling business and uses biodiesel in his trucks. He had to replace the rubber fuel lines with "biodiesel compatible" hoses because the old ones got soft. He also has to change the fuel filters a lot more often. But, he continues to use biodiesel....

But then, there aren't many stations that sell biodiesel that I've seen as I travel the country.

A common misconception is that biodiesel and waste vegetable oil are the same. Diesel engines can run biodiesel for the most part without modification. Most vehicles were adapted years ago to accommodate bio. It is derived from plant oils or animal fats so it is subject to algae, which can be prevented chemically.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiesel

Straight vegetable oil requires a great deal of modification to fuel lines and the engine to run. It quickly gels in cold temperatures.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waste_vegetable_oil

I'm not sure this engine is outfitted for Bio-diesel. I think that might have been the change that they were going to make to the new engines, but I'm not sure. Either way, we don't have any Bio-diesel stations around here so I have to stick with fossil diesel. Of course I'd probably do that anyway. I just don't want to jeopardize the longevity of my engine (only nearing 100K now, 200K more to go) to save a couple bucks short-term.

I have about 82K on my 09 TDI. If I'm not mistaken, VW says that it can run on B5. I'll avoid Bio unless it is the only option.

I know a few folks that run WVO in their cars during the summer months with no modifications and seem to have no issues. The cars are older non-computer diesels.

82K on an '09?!?! Holy cow do you ever put on the miles. We're at ~86k on an '06!

Check out Tdiclub.com

BTW, I have two VW TDIs, a 97 and a 98. They are great, but right now the pricing for gasoline and diesel is not that favorable to diesel as it was a couple years ago. And the price of biodiesel is always at a premium to D2.

There are problems, such as water and materials compatibility with biodiesel and veggie oil. Abide by the vehicle manufacturers recommendations. I have seen too many alternate fuel disasters, so I stick with dino-diesel. And I like to tinker.

There are advocates, and they will swear all is well and great with veggie and biodiesel. Well, it can't be. You don't want to run these fuels where it will get much below 40F or so. These oils get very thick and solidify, and the headaches to run them are extensive. Start and shutdown on dino-diesel, preheat, yadayadayada...

I wish it were true that running these oils is a simple substitution, but it isn't. If you are a tinkerer, try it. But most people I know have quietly gone back to dino-diesel.

Traveling for work helps a good bit, typically I will go to NYC once a week. I'm over 83K now. The mileage would be a lot higher, I've been deployed twice since I bought the car and it was parked most of that time

While the price of diesel is not as favorable as it used to be, the improved performance is certainly worth it. I have friends with both diesel RV's and gas RV's, and the long term savings in maintenance and much better mileage makes the diesel well worth the investment. But then, when I bought my first diesel truck in 1984, diesel was about 90 cents a gallon, and gas was about $1.25 a gallon.

You are right about the biodiesel premium -- locally, diesel is selling for $3.99/gallon, while B20 biodiesel is selling for $4.35/gallon. But then, the closest biodiesel station to me is a little over 30 miles away.

Since I drive between 30K and 40K miles a year, I'm very price sensitive when it comes to fuel.

The torque of a diesel is addicting. The most incredible benefit of diesel is the range. I get about 650 miles per tank. I have gotten over 700 miles a couple times.

Both of my TDIs have about 230,000 miles, and I plan on keeping them.

In response to the diesel prices brought up. Yeah it's not as favorable as it used to be. (Even though its cheaper to refine diesel than gasoline, figure that one out...) but if you do the math you will still come out a head in the long time with a diesel just because of the increased fuel efficiency. Then factor in the longevity of the engines, and you're even better off.

To the person that said WVO and biodiesel in non-computer diesel engines: Yeah that should be fine. Because those engines are purely mechanical. However, they are also less efficient than the new engines. The reason the new engines need modification for the most part is because of the injectors. The injectors aren't programmed for the other fuels.

I picked up a 1985 diesel about a week and half ago. Got around 30mpg over a 4 hour drive.

I'm looking forward to trying veggie fuel soon.