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#1 2006-06-04 9:48 am
- Cyberpawz
- Member
- Registered: 2001-11-14
- Posts: 10172
Biodiesel anyone?
I'm looking into buying a new car, my 1986 Chrysler New Yorker is starting to show it's age... I am just reeling for nearly $2,000 worth of repairs on it... I am debating about dumping it before I get nickeled and dimed to death.
Either way I have been looking into a new car, as I said before...
I've looked at Hybrids, but they still depend on gas, which I am starting to debate isn't such a good deal any more... I've looked into Ethanol cars and there aren't enough places around Mass where I live to make it possible...
I've started to look at biodiesel... There is a place that will ship biodiesel to your house, and you can get a pumping mechanism for relatively cheap too... the cost comes out to be about .71 a gallon after it is all said and done... (and you can get a full 55 Gallon drum of this stuff too)
In any case, here is my question, I'm now looking into buying a Jetta TDI, which will cost me about 22k to 24k to get it, but I've seen where in Mass they are selling B20 gas, which means it is 20% Biodiesel, I was wondering if the Jetta TDI can run off of 100% Biodiesel, and not just a small percentage of it? Does anyone know? I'd like to get away from using "Black Gold" as quickly as possible, if possible as all.
Governing sense, mind and intellect, intent of liberation, free from desire, fear and anger, the sage is forever free.
Bhagavad Gita (c.B.C. 400)
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#2 2006-06-04 10:06 am
Re: Biodiesel anyone?
Gas just isnt that expensive yet to make it worth the trouble.
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=139744
Last edited by Steyr AUG (2006-06-04 10:11 am)
Just like back in Saigon! Eh, slick?
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#3 2006-06-04 11:15 am
- Fried Chicken
- Member

- From: Good question - keeps changing
- Registered: 2003-11-17
- Posts: 4557
Re: Biodiesel anyone?
Yeah, go to the forum suggested above.
And, yes it can run on 100% biodiesel, but it's up to your dealer as to whether or not they will service your car under warranty. Just make sure your VW dealer says it's ok and that you will not void your insurance. My VW dealer in town says that you can put whatever you want into your gas tank, and they will still service your car.
VW of America's official policy isn't clear. They have this "Biodiesel" thing which says 5% biodiesel is what they recommend, however they also have this thing that says that warranty will cover engine damage due to faulty fuel or something like that.
Like I said, it depends on your dealer.


Just because something is legal, doesn't mean it's right. Just because something is illegal, doesn't mean it's wrong.
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#4 2006-06-04 11:44 am
- katiePOW
- Goddess of the Editbooth
- From: by the sea side
- Registered: 2002-09-27
- Posts: 490
Re: Biodiesel anyone?
Biodiesl will run in any desil car, for straigh veggie oil you need to do a conversion (its thicker and can be harsh on your engine)
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#5 2006-06-04 11:48 am
- toadkiller
- Member
- From: Mississippi
- Registered: 2002-09-26
- Posts: 719
Re: Biodiesel anyone?
You need to head to one of the various biodiesel sites and ask there. It does work, but there are various mixtures for various temperatures. Being in Mass that could very well be an issue.
At least in Seattle there is a company which "remanufactures" some older cars - you might want to look and see if there's anything like that on the "old coast".
--TK
"Oh popcorn, you won't laugh at me!"
"Bill Gates" The Daily Show 1/30/07
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#6 2006-06-04 12:14 pm
- Cyberpawz
- Member
- Registered: 2001-11-14
- Posts: 10172
Re: Biodiesel anyone?
Fried Chicken wrote:
Yeah, go to the forum suggested above.
And, yes it can run on 100% biodiesel, but it's up to your dealer as to whether or not they will service your car under warranty. Just make sure your VW dealer says it's ok and that you will not void your insurance. My VW dealer in town says that you can put whatever you want into your gas tank, and they will still service your car.
VW of America's official policy isn't clear. They have this "Biodiesel" thing which says 5% biodiesel is what they recommend, however they also have this thing that says that warranty will cover engine damage due to faulty fuel or something like that.
Like I said, it depends on your dealer.
Either way it looks like the diesel engine versions aren't sold in Mass, CA, Vermont or other states... why I don't know, but meh... guess I'll have to go to NH to get the car or something.
Governing sense, mind and intellect, intent of liberation, free from desire, fear and anger, the sage is forever free.
Bhagavad Gita (c.B.C. 400)
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#7 2006-06-04 1:50 pm
- Fried Chicken
- Member

- From: Good question - keeps changing
- Registered: 2003-11-17
- Posts: 4557
Re: Biodiesel anyone?
Cyberpawz wrote:
Fried Chicken wrote:
Yeah, go to the forum suggested above.
And, yes it can run on 100% biodiesel, but it's up to your dealer as to whether or not they will service your car under warranty. Just make sure your VW dealer says it's ok and that you will not void your insurance. My VW dealer in town says that you can put whatever you want into your gas tank, and they will still service your car.
VW of America's official policy isn't clear. They have this "Biodiesel" thing which says 5% biodiesel is what they recommend, however they also have this thing that says that warranty will cover engine damage due to faulty fuel or something like that.
Like I said, it depends on your dealer.Either way it looks like the diesel engine versions aren't sold in Mass, CA, Vermont or other states... why I don't know, but meh... guess I'll have to go to NH to get the car or something.
It's b/c people think that the emissions on the cars are bad. Diesel cars release a lot (enough to make the epa unhappy) of NOx emissions. (ie. NO2) But, when it comes to CO2 emissions diesels are better, and if you use biodiesel there is no comparison b/c all the CO2 that is released into the atmosphere from burning biodiesel was recently absorbed from the atmosphere by plants.
But yeah, there you go.


Just because something is legal, doesn't mean it's right. Just because something is illegal, doesn't mean it's wrong.
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#8 2006-06-05 7:52 am
Re: Biodiesel anyone?
You can make your own biodiesel refinery for about $500 in parts. It takes a bit of effort, and you have to drive around to all your local fast food places to pick up their used vegetable oil (from deep fryers). But, it's cheap biodiesel when you're up and running.
Plus, the exhaust apparently smells like french fries. Who wouldn't want that? 
"I'd rather be told, 'Have a nice day.' by someone who doesn't mean it, than 'F*** you!' by someone who does." - Lewis Black
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#9 2006-06-05 8:21 am
Re: Biodiesel anyone?
toadkiller wrote:
You need to head to one of the various biodiesel sites and ask there. It does work, but there are various mixtures for various temperatures. Being in Mass that could very well be an issue.
Yeah - some thing I saw on TV - some guy who would make his own, and set up other people with etc. - he doesn't run it in the winter, because it gets cold enough to effect the viscosity resulting in bad things happening. He said in the winter, just use regular diesel.
I'm no expert.
In her right hand Jenny held the Bible of her mother
Jenny had a pistol in the other
-- Steve Taylor
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#10 2006-06-05 1:21 pm
- punkgeek
- born of frustration

- From: Dew Drop Inn
- Registered: 2001-05-28
- Posts: 3704
Re: Biodiesel anyone?
Cyberpawz,
All the information you could ever need to read up on biodiesel is on the tdiclub.com forums. Great people, lots o' reading.
midgetcop and I just got ourselves a 2002 Golf diesel and we love it
Although we have no desire to run biodiesel on it. Not yet anyway!
Last edited by punkgeek (2006-06-05 1:25 pm)
"I also use lowercase christian when referring to her and people like her. To be Christian, they'd have to follow the example of Christ. These people are so un-Christlike, it's not even funny."
- robco
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#11 2006-07-01 12:24 pm
#12 2006-07-01 10:05 pm
- user
- Your plastic pal who's fun to be with

- From: I'm not getting you down, am I
- Registered: 2001-10-15
- Posts: 16033
Re: Biodiesel anyone?
Halbie, Pawz is gone.
No point in calling him a hippie.
Aw, he's no fun, he fell right over.
Unless you become as little children, there's no way you will believe this crap.
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#13 2006-07-03 3:50 pm
- punkgeek
- born of frustration

- From: Dew Drop Inn
- Registered: 2001-05-28
- Posts: 3704
Re: Biodiesel anyone?
cyberpawz was banned?!
"I also use lowercase christian when referring to her and people like her. To be Christian, they'd have to follow the example of Christ. These people are so un-Christlike, it's not even funny."
- robco
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#15 2006-07-03 5:22 pm
- user
- Your plastic pal who's fun to be with

- From: I'm not getting you down, am I
- Registered: 2001-10-15
- Posts: 16033
Re: Biodiesel anyone?
It was a rather gory public suicide in classic Japanese fashion.
I believe KingFred was his second.
Aw, he's no fun, he fell right over.
Unless you become as little children, there's no way you will believe this crap.
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