D19 - S40/V40 to 2004 Biodiesel

[D5driver]

Originally Posted by jackass

Handbook for S60 D5 says no more than 15% RSE (Rapeseed Ester), B100 biodiesel is 100% RSE.

Mine runs fine on 100% biodiesel, And i know of a 2004 V6 audi running 100%

[S40_Paul]

I've finally found a dealer of bio diesel, but obviously I need to know if its a bosch pump at least, how Do i find that out for my specific car as doesnt some have it some dont?

[SteveRat]

I emailed Volvo UK about this a couple of years ago for my 2000 V70. They quoted the 5% figure. However I do run it on a lot greater percentage.

In the cold weather since Christmas it has not like running on a high % of bio. So I'm currently back to no more than 30%.

PS: I had a 5l can of bio in my garage for a couple of weeks. When I poured it in to the car it was a lot more viscous that normal diesel. I would estimate that its as thick as straight Veg oil @ 6-10deg C.

[petevolvo]

Why do people think they can just put anything in their tank and not expect problems? Ok, bio diesel is cheap and we all would like to save a few quid, but, like LPG, there are some serious issues with the use of bio-diesel. I know lots of people use it without problems (lots of people smoke and don't get ill....) but I really wouldn't recommend it. I have seen cars ruined by poor quality bio-diesel, fuel filters full of 'lard' and engine management lights tripped by this fuel. If you're running a £500 Fiesta and are prepared to take a risk then fine but put it in a decent car...... The S40 was never designed to be run on chip fat and, whilst I know the properties are similar, you would be sick if you saved a few quid a year but blew your engine!

[thefatbloke]

I have been running my 04 S40 1.9D on 100% biodiesel for over 2000 miles without any problems. The engine is smoother on tickover and the power delivery is very slightly different. I make my own fuel from waste oil from a nearby takeaway.
I am careful to use a source free from palm oil and I wash and filter the fuel very carefully. Now the weather is getting a bit colder, I shall start to use a 50/50 mix of biodiesel and fossil diesel. By taking the right precautions, I'm confident enough to continue using biodiesel. My friend has been using a 50/50 mix of biodiesel in a BMW X3 for ages without any problems.
The system I use is from GreenFuels in Gloucestershire.

[Laney760]

Most people on here are talking about running common rail engines on biodiesel. I would expect those who are running on 100 per cent to have engine & pump problems eventually. While conventional diesel engines can handle fuel with a high content of biodiesel, common-rail engines can only stomach a much lower percentage, typically max 20-30%. That's chiefly because their ultra-fast and ultra-precise solenoid-operated injection systems are set up for mineral fuels. I think somebody should set up a sticky thread which people register their car type on, the date they started using bio, the mileage, at what percentage bio, at what time/mileage problems began and over time we can see what happens. Then we'll all know for sure if we can or can't use bio in our particular engines over a period of time!