I've enquired with Seat head office in the UK and they just said it was something to do with EU standards, and refereed me to my local dealer for more detail. What I want to know is whether BioDiesel will do any damage to the engine.
2006-12-06 23:06:38 · 5 answers · asked by RICHARD H 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Pure Biodiesel is less lubricative and more likely to gum-up in the injection system than mineral-oil diesel fuel.
Diesel injection systems use the lubricity of the fuel to lubricate the pumps and injectors.
With modern high-pressure injection systems (either the VW Group's PD system or common-rail) being built to very tight tolerances the correct lubricity of the fuel is vital. Also, the very small diameter injection nozzles are prone to clogging if a fuel with a propensity to gum-up is used. There have also been reports of the cylinder bores of direct-injection engines becoming gummed up.
Most fuel branded as "Biodiesel" is actually only 5% bio-fuel and 95% fossil fuel, as this is the limit that modern engines can cope with (almost all diesel fuel in France is 5% bio-fuel). Current EU fuel standards (which include lubricity) can be met with up to 5% bio-fuel. Concentrations greater than 5% may cause damage (which won't be covered by warranty as the fuel will not meet the specified EU standard).
Older, indirect-injection, engines can be run on 100% bio-fuel as they don't require the same lubrication or suffer from the gumming problems to the same extent (much lower injection pressures and larger nozzle diameters, no direct contact between fuel and pistons).
If the fuel meets the EU standard recommended by Seat (should be stated on the pump) you can use it safely. If it doesn't, then damage may occur.
2006-12-06 23:56:15 · answer #1 · answered by Neil 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the car is fitted with a particulate filter you may run the risk of it getting blocked if you do not use the correct grade of oil. I know from experience that the wrong oil - not to specification - cheap 5/30 synthetic - clogged the DPF on my Mazda 6 shortly after an oil change at my local garage
2016-03-28 21:49:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It probably has to do with CO2 emissions and type approvals. I very much doubt if it will damage your engine but be aware of the implications for the warranty, which will no doubt be void if you ignore their stipulations.
2006-12-06 23:14:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
dont quote me on this but i heard bio diesel contains less oil than regular diesel, so dont think it will do any diesel alot of good i suppose its to help cut emmisions but doesn't help your engine
2006-12-06 23:21:28 · answer #4 · answered by gwoods1210 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I started using that stuff and it cost me a couple hundred dollars to repair.
2006-12-06 23:15:10 · answer #5 · answered by lenshure 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋