2.5 v6 running on biodiesel

[pdf11]

hi all. I've been running my '99 a4 avant 2.5 v6 on 50/50 biodiesel mix since april, covered around 6000 miles with no troubles at all. The only problem it can have is starting in a morning, it sometimes takes for ever to fire up. Once its started though, its fine for the rest of the day. just wondering if anyone else is running a v6 this way and offer any solutions to 1st ime starting!!....
cheers

 

[S4_dan]

What are your glow plugs like? Maybe the combustion gasses from the bio fuel is killing or putting a film on the plugs effectively reducing the heat from being transferred?

 

[aragorn]

Is it PROPER biodiesel?

If so, theres generally no problem running it on a Bosch VE pump as used on the 2.5.

If your using SVO or filtered WVO thats a completely different story.

Have you changed your fuel filter at all? Bio can often dissolve various crap from the tank and lines which can clog up the filter.

 

[pdf11]

thanks for the replies. glow plugs could be an idea, its done 151,000 so may need changing. its good bio, been making it for 5 years and not had this problem before, changed the filter after about 2 tanks when i bought it. completely bypassed the glow plugs!!! lol.
could someone tell me how to check the plugs, is it a case of taking each one out or will it come up as an error code?
thanks for your help....

 

[S4_dan]

take the plug out and inspect it, some break down over time. To test, have a spare 12v car battery ready and a jump lead. connect plug to the battery and wait a few secs, should glow red pretty quickly! If it takes time, then change them.

A bit like spark plugs, always better to replace all rather than just one!

If you haven't changed them and had the car for a while, then for the price, I'd just change them anyway.

 

[adamss24]

take the plug out and inspect it, some break down over time.

be very carefull when removing the glow plugs, theey have a tendency to snap in the head ! Soak them in plus gas/wd40 penetrating oil for a day or 2 and make shure the engine is hot...