[Vwdiesel] Vegetable Oil Additive

[Sandy Cameron]

At 08:17 AM 03/08/2006 +0100, you wrote:
>I currently have 3/4 tank of diesel fuel. Can I throw in a quart or 2 of
veggy oil; will it be good for the engine? Does veggy oil really mix with
the diesel or will it fall to the bottom (or stay on top) of the tank? 
>   
>  If running biodiesel, which hoses and inj pump parts (gaskets, seals?)
need to be changed for 1.6TD engine? You would think that biodiesel makers
could process out the methanol that disturbs rubber parts.  Milton.

I have been using 50% used canola oil in 3 cars for 2 years (in summer) with
no ill effects.

A 94 Jetta (A3)turbo, 1.9
A 91 Jetta (A2) NA 1.6 (my son's)
And my beloved Goldie, an 87 Jetta, turbo (A2)

Last winter I reverted to straight diesel for the cold weather.
This winter, I'm going to see how I can make out with block heaters for cold
starts.
If it is problematic, I will once again revert to straight diesel for the
winter.

The oil comes from a fast food restaurant, and I strain,filter, and mix 50
%. I have stored 50% mix in a drum for 6 months with no sign of separation,
so I guess its ok to dump a little in the tank and slosh it around and go.

I believe the canola has a much higher lubricity than diesel alone.

I had an interesting  occurance on a recent 2000 mile road trip with the 94,
A3.  
Left home with the tank filled right to the top with 50% mix, and 6 gallons
mix  in the trunk.
Transfered the 6 gal. to the tank along the way, and when we got to our
destination, had abt 1/4 tank left. Filled it with low sulphur diesel (first
time I'd seen that) thin watery looking stuff with no smell to it. On the
way home filled it again with the same stuff.
Along the way, started to smell fuel once in a while, checked under the hood
and found one injector line leaking at the pump, and the timing plug.

Had wrenches with me, so hosed it down with brake cleaner, cracked the
joints and re-tightend them...No more leaks. She's back on 50% again now,
and very happy.

I dont know if it was the road trip, the thin kerosene-like low sulphur, or
just being deprived of her veggie brew.

Next time I'll either buy new veggie at the grocery to mix, or take a small
filtering rig with me to filter oil on the road. Come to think of it, I'll
take 10 gal. of straight veggie in the trunk, and dump 5 in at each fill up.

Sandy