LA Weekly

Hey Judith:

Did you have to do anything special to allow the use of biodiesel in your Beetle TDI? I have a Jetta TDI - I believe that the engine is the same.

However, the latest recommendation that I found from VW is to limit the biodiesel percentage to 5% (B5). Here is the link to that recommendation - http://www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/OEM%20Statements/2005_OEM_VW%20US%20Biodiesel_Statement_5_16_05.pdf .

I am interested in biodiesel, but not particularly interested in damaging my engine - I really like the 47 MPG and would hate to wait in line for a new car.

Rod Adams

Hi Rod--

Nothing needs to be done to later model VWs -- the only problem in converting to biodiesel is that older cars often have rubber fuel lines, and biodiesel is a solvent. Eventually, it will soften them up and wear them away. Depending on the year of your Jetta, it probably already has synthetic hoses.

You might also be concerned about cold-weather starting. I've heard different reports about how biodiesel performs in cold weather.

VW has complicated reasons for limiting their biodiesel recommnedation, but BioD is perfectly fine for your engine. Some say it's even better, because it's cleaner, leaves fewer deposits and it's a better lubricant.

But after a month or so you should check your fuel filter, because biodiesel will scour out your fuel lines and often drop big chunks of sediment in your filter, sometimes clogging it.

In fact, it's time for me to change my fuel filter.

I highly, highly recommend it. You won't damage your engine if you keep an eye on things in the first few months. Your fuel is nontoxic, and it feels really good to follow our President's advice and kick the oil addiction.

There's more information than you need here:

http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_vehicle.html

Judith