Not happy

[dougie]

Filled up one of the new Caddy 1.9 TDI vans yesterday only to find that the fuel had a 20% bio content.The pump had no indication at all about this.
VW have advised to drain the fuel and flush the system,so I have grounded the thing.
The company has offered compensation but I will believe it when I see it.
We took some photos just in case they deny it.
I nearly melted their phone I was so angry.
It seems that VW haven't tested Australian bio deisel so don't approve of it's use.
I can't believe that a company could be so stupid as to do this by accident,so assume that it is unmarked on purpose.
God knows how many have been caught and don't know.
Very pi$$ed off.

[BlackVr6ix]

A***holes, should be marked just like ethanol.

[dougie]

I have a pretty good relationship with my MP, so will start stirring some sh#t tomorrow.Ask some awkward questions etc.
Pays to suck up sometimes ,just for times like this.

[peter_j_g]

Shouldn't be a problem - biodiesel is widely used here. Mostly problems occur when an older/high km car which has been run exclusively on normal diesel is filled with biodiesel. The biodiesel will clean out all the gunk that has collected in the fuel tank and lines and block the fuel filter. As your car is quite new then keep on driving it - assuming the biodiesel is of good quality.

VW are just covering themselves - there are plenty of people making biodiesel of various qualities at home. Does the biodiesel you've got been tested to meet any standards?

I agree the pump should have been marked so you know what you are getting.

[Altered Sprinter]

Dougie
Providing the fuel is from BP or Shell you have no real problems the Bio mix is to Australian standards as to euro v fuel watch mandates.
Most of Germany in the main stream now runs B20 as standard Diesel fuels.
As it is an ethanol base fuel, this fuel will have a negative impact on your engine and do less damage,than standard Diesel ULSD, VW should have an Australian rating on ULSD Diesel fuels sold in Australia.
The seller should have had a pump warning as this fuel can damage older Diesel engines with long term use in some engines
But how did you know you put Bio fuel in it?
Richard

[dougie]

I will ask them what standard the fuel is tested to.
I thought it strange that there was a mention about it being renewable fuel?
On the other side of the pump ,in very small letters ,on a sort of advertising swinging thing it said 20% bio mix.Nothing on the side I used except the name of the fuel, and the bit about renewable.Not having had a diesel for many years I assumed deisel was diesel.
These vans are a huge investment in the future for our small family company, so if I seem paranoid, I hope you will understand.
What do you guys use???

[brackie]

Don't panic

The B20 wouldn't have done any damage imho. The engine and fuel system are new and haven't had time to accumulate any gunk, fungus etc so it won't have any deleterious effects. The only way that VWA could get at you would be to argue the standard of Oz biodiesel which I believe is as good as anywhere else. Yeah.. I would be p*ssed off too, but I'm probably more p*ssed off at VW for not recommending its use in PD engines.

[Seano]

It's a bummer it wasn't labeled and the supplier should be well thumped on the knuckles for it

BUT

I use this stuff http://www.farmersfuel.com.au/PremiumDiesel.html when I can as I've found that my 2.5TDI (2001 build) loves it. And it can have up to 20% BD in the mix.

The upshot is that it is probably quite fine to use the fuel you have as it should comply with the Oz standard (like the Farmers Fuel). If not then it would be a very good idea to ditch it..........otherwise give it a burn.

But yeah........nail the supplier.

[dougie]

Thanks Guys,
I spoke to the supplier yesterday and they are being fairley helpful.
They say that the fuel is to the oz standard and can provide a certificate to prove it.
They supply 700.000 ltrs a month and are going to VW to see if we can avoid having to pump it out and flushing the system.
Some compensation is on the way but only for the cost of the fuel so far.
We will see.

[phaeton]

Good to hear

[DutchAussie]

Thanks Guys,
I spoke to the supplier yesterday and they are being fairley helpful.
They say that the fuel is to the oz standard and can provide a certificate to prove it.
They supply 700.000 ltrs a month and are going to VW to see if we can avoid having to pump it out and flushing the system.
Some compensation is on the way but only for the cost of the fuel so far.
We will see.

To put your mind at rest, I bought a new 2007 model VW Caddy in October last year and have so far done 5700 KM. 74% all the fuel ever put in the van has been Biodiesel. I have been running on 100% Biodiesel for 4 months!

I know there is a sticker "Not for Biodiesel" on the fuel filler cover but it is my van!
The engine is ticking over like a charm.

If you want more information go to my Home Site, I will give frequent updates on my experience with Biodiesel.

Regards,

Arie

[DutchAussie]

Thanks Guys,
I spoke to the supplier yesterday and they are being fairley helpful.
They say that the fuel is to the oz standard and can provide a certificate to prove it.
They supply 700.000 ltrs a month and are going to VW to see if we can avoid having to pump it out and flushing the system.
Some compensation is on the way but only for the cost of the fuel so far.
We will see.

Have a look at this site for more information on Biodiesel.

http://www.farmersfuel.com.au/Biodiesel.html

Regards,

Arie

[phaeton]

Thats way cool Arie a BioDiesel Caddy in SA

[flightlessbird]

smelly Diesel

We have had a few in the shop that smell like Maccas, makes you want to go to the drive thru for a quick snack

[gldgti]

from the sounds of it, this issue has basically been resolved - let me reassure you - you wont have any problems using biodiesel, but because of retailers like Volume Plus selling bio-blends that are low quality, VWA wont (for the moment) say that you are "biodiesel safe".

only when our pollies get their butts into gear and make sure there is strict adherence to the standards will we see VWA take off that sticker.