"No Biodiesel"

[OisinT]

I keep meaning to post to ask about this sticker every time (read: every occasional time thanks to my roc's amazing mpg) I put diesel in. I wonder why the scirocco would specifically state no biodiesel when I know VWs in general are great cars for running on everything - even straight veg oil.

[Spiney]

Hi OisinT

Found this which helps. The big problem seems to be the DPF, no idea why though......


Biodiesel statement
15 December 2008

Standard forecourt fuel (BS EN590): approved
Legislation introduced on 15 April 2008 insists that fuel suppliers must use at least 2.5 per cent biofuel in diesel
production. Filling-station forecourts supply diesel (to the standard BS EN590) that can contain up to five per cent
biodiesel and 95 per cent fossil fuel. Volkswagen Group approves the use of diesel fuel containing up to five per
cent biodiesel in all of its diesel vehicles. The use of this fuel requires no modifications to the vehicle or changes
to the vehicles’ maintenance schedules.
Important: BS EN590 is approved for vehicles fitted with a diesel particulate filter (DPF).

B30 biodiesel: not approved
Volkswagen Group does not approve the use of B30 biodiesel in any of its vehicles. B30 biodiesel is a blend of
70 per cent fossil fuel and 30 per cent biofuel, derived from fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). The use of this fuel in
Volkswagen Group vehicles may invalidate the engine and exhaust system warranty.

100 per cent biodiesel: approved for some vehicles
Some Volkswagen Group vehicle models are approved to run on 100 per cent Rapeseed Methyl Ester (RME)
biodiesel. Parts fitted during a vehicle’s manufacture that are compatible with this fuel are denoted by the vehicle
PR code 2G0. This is found on the data sticker in the service book or boot floor/spare wheel well. However, some
older vehicles may not have this PR code. Always refer to the owner’s handbook and Factory information about
the vehicle’s compliance with biodiesel before using this fuel type.
In vehicles that are 100 per cent biodiesel compatible, Volkswagen Group has only approved the use of RME to
the standard DIN EN 14214. No other biodiesel can be used.

Important:
• Vehicles that do not have the Factory preparation for biodiesel cannot use 100 per cent biodiesel
• Vehicles fitted with a common-rail fuel injection system cannot use 100 per cent biodiesel
• Vehicles fitted with pumpe-düse injectors cannot use 100 per cent biodiesel
• Vehicles fitted with a DPF must not use 100 per cent biodiesel or B30 biodiesel. However, EN590
containing up to five per cent biodiesel is approved for use with DPFs
• 100 per cent biodiesel vehicles cannot be used in temperatures below -10°C
• The use of 100 per cent biodiesel may slightly reduce the driving performance of the vehicle and slightly
increase fuel consumption
• The use of 100 per cent biodiesel may require more frequent maintenance

[OisinT]

Very interesting, thanks... Almost all garages around me are either B5 or B30, so I guess I'll just have to avoid the B30 ones.

[Nobby]

I don't know if you're getting the same thing in the UK but in France we are now getting Petrol with 10% Ethanol added

Here it is called SP95-E10

According to the search engine on the government web site all VW cars built after 2000 are compatible

However when I picked up my Scirocco the dealer told me not to use SP95-E10

I've no idea who is right,
I know that the E85 fuel is very corrosive so FlexFuel cars have different fuel lines etc, but I'm not sure if 10% ethanol would do any damage to a "normal" engine or not ?

Just food for thought

[peter.vw]

Think that the use of bio fuel is a bad idea, why put in an Inferior fuel into a performance car you should be using premium derv (or petrol for TSI )more power cleaner better for the whole system, yes it cost more but you get a pay back, you should give your Scirocco the best.
If your thinking that its enviromenty sound to use bio fuel think we should look at the food that’s not grown now for the sake of rapeseed so pushing up the cost of grain on the world markets or the palm oil plantations in places like Borneo and the Amazon, all used to make bio fuel.

[egobreed]

Went to fill up with some BP Ultimate Diesel today (I don't always use it) and when I was about three quarters full, I noticed a sticker on the pump that said "up to 7% biodiesel". Um, dammit, I thought and stopped filling up...

I have used Ultimate Diesel before but I've never noticed that sticker. Car seems absolutely fine so far...

[Ibanez33]

Oh that kills my next question of if it was any good.. I guess not them ..

Are there any premium diesels that are less than 5% bio fuel??

[OisinT]

I don't really understand... I can see how it is lower quality if petrol is part ethanol, but diesel quality ought not to decrease too much with oil blends.

[maisbitt]

Ibanez: Shell V power Diesel is a pure diesel fully synthesised from natural gas. It doesn't offer any performance benefits other than being so pure that it helps to clean the fuel system (I don't think a newish VAG TDI with efficient combustion needs unclogging, so I opt for regular Shell anyway).

Diesel engines certified to use Biodiesel don't use any rubber components that will be in contact with the fuel - biodiesel rots rubber. Raw Veg oil isn't good either as the fatty acids present haven't been neutralised and so can corrode engine and exhaust parts.

[peter.vw]

Ibanez: Shell V power Diesel is a pure diesel fully synthesised from natural gas. It doesn't offer any performance benefits other than being so pure that it helps to clean the fuel system (I don't think a newish VAG TDI with efficient combustion needs unclogging, so I opt for regular Shell anyway).

Diesel engines certified to use Biodiesel don't use any rubber components that will be in contact with the fuel - biodiesel rots rubber. Raw Veg oil isn't good either as the fatty acids present haven't been neutralised and so can corrode engine and exhaust parts.

Hi Your wrong about Shell V power, its not a fully synthesized from natural gas is has a small percentage of the distillate added. I have been advised (after my last post) that putting Shell V power or BP premium has no advantage to the Scirocco diesel engine unlike the petrol so stick with the Shell Extra.

[Ibanez33]

Any other recommendations other than shell? Not that I have problem with shell only that the nearest shell garage is ages away and not really on route to anywhere I go..

[peter.vw]

Any other recommendations other than shell? Not that I have problem with shell only that the nearest shell garage is ages away and not really on route to anywhere I go..

Hi was not meant as a recommendation for shell any of the main fuel suppliers do there version of premium and standard fuel, the one I would stay away from is super market fuel for your Scirocco, you get what you pay for

[Ibanez33]

Oh that's something I do anyway. I only got fuel from a super market once about 4 years ago

[peter.vw]

Thought I would add that have for the fist time ever this week not used Shell V power derv but filled with standard Shell derv I now have a very black exhaust (was always as clean as a whistle) so will be going back to Shell V power

[iAmbu]

the one I would stay away from is super market fuel for your Scirocco, you get what you pay for

I've NEVER had a problem with "supermarket" fuel. I chop and change between suppliers depending on where I am

[trix]

same when I had my diesel pug iAmbu

S

[peter.vw]

the one I would stay away from is super market fuel for your Scirocco, you get what you pay for

I've NEVER had a problem with "supermarket" fuel. I chop and change between suppliers depending on where I am

Hi I suppose it depends on what your happy doing , theses engines will run on any thing that’s diesel that would include gas oil (red diesel) or poor petrol (if that’s your case) but what it would do long term is the thing to consider.
My other half ordered a new Honda civic last week and she was advised not to use supermarket fuel, because it does not have the same additives, that’s why its cheaper.

[Ruddington]

Went to fill up with some BP Ultimate Diesel today (I don't always use it) and when I was about three quarters full, I noticed a sticker on the pump that said "up to 7% biodiesel". Um, dammit, I thought and stopped filling up...

I have used Ultimate Diesel before but I've never noticed that sticker. Car seems absolutely fine so far...

Reading my manual this morning. Cannot remember the exact wording, but biodiesel in a blended fuel, like the BP ultimate, is fine, the manual clearly states this. A 100% biodiesel would be something else completely.