General Marea and Rapeseed oil

Currently reading:
General Marea and Rapeseed oil

jfm

Member
Joined
Jan 28, 2007
Messages
18
Points
56
Hello,

I have a Fiat Marea TD100 (1998).

I would like to know if I can use Rapeseed Oil or BioDiesel.
Anyone of you have tested these fuels?

Thanks in advance.
 
How many miles have you tested it?

Is there some components that could be break after a lot of miles?


Thanks.
 
wheel bearings, clutch, exhaust... :p

The TD is very similar to the indirect injection engine found in the Tipo. Apart from requiring extra heating during the winter rapesead oil will work fine.

Word of caution - check your fuel pump is a Bosch and not Lucas pump. The Lucas uses rubber seals which could perish in biological oils. If you can find a spare fuel pump then give it a try. If it all ends in disaster and your fuel pump dies - go back to normal diesel and fir the other pump.
 
I think I have a Lucas fuel pump :(

How can I check it? Is there a label on it?

Thanks.
 
Only discovered the Veg oil thing after I totalled my Marea & bought a Xantia TD.

I've been following extensive discussions on frenchcarforum.co.uk & I'm now using a high % veg oil / dino diesel mix in the Xant.

The consensus there seems to be:

1. Bosch fuel pump only. Don't even try it with a Lucas. It will break.

2. Cars happy to run up to 100% veg oil in summer. Some run anything from only 20% veg up to 80% veg in winter. Discussion ongoing about how hard the pumps'n'stuff have to work when cold & veg going unburned into oil reservoir.

3. As such it would appear to be wise to change oil regularly due to veg contamination.

4. Yep. Change fuel filter regularly too.

5. The Cit guys seem to prefer Rapeseed oil as it is thinner than corn & others.

6. Lidl currently cheapest for rapeseed oil @ 56ppl but sold in crappy 1 lit bottles.

7. Little support for heating the oil even in winter, as once the engine is up to 60deg the fuel leaving the pump is hot enough. If your car is worth a bit (but you're driving a Fiat :p (oh how the worm has turned :rolleyes: )) then you might consider a two tank system.

8. Try www.vegetableoildiesel.co.uk/forum for further advice on straight veg & waste veg oil use.

It does go on, but I hope it's helpful.

Happy vegging! ;)
 
You can take a feed from the cooling system, run it through a water jacket and feed the oilthrough it pre-filter.

heat-exchanger.JPG


Just helps warm the oil a little before filtration. Remember there is a fuel heater built into the fuel filter housing.

Aditional heating can be achieved using something called the Rapetherm4

Basically 4 glow plugs in a cylinder with a thermostat to stop them getting too hot.

rape-therm-valve62-2002-03-21.jpg
 
Last edited:
Thank you all!

I checked my fuel pump and it is a Lucas :mad: .

I can't use Rapeseed oil and BioDiesel due to rubber seals that could be perish.

Bye
 
Is it possible to change the Lucas pump with a Bosch?
Is it the only component that perish with biological oil?

Why Fiat doens't certificate the use of biodiesel like VW group?

Thanks.
 
Is it possible to change the Lucas pump with a Bosch?
Is it the only component that perish with biological oil?

Why Fiat doens't certificate the use of biodiesel like VW group?

Thanks.

Because it would cost money in research etc. Would be cool if you could get some sort of additive that would stop the bio rot on the seals :chin:. And I don't see why you couldn't swap the pump?! :confused:.
 
Change the pump :D. Would be worth it after a month or two of driving (with my millege anyway :rolleyes: ).

Certainly on the Cit's this is not a straightforward job. Could very well be different on the Fiats, I don't know. I would point you to the threads on the Citroen forum, but its down for now :dead:

Best of luck. (y)
 
Yes, there is a difference between biodiesel and rapeseed/veg oil.

In a Fiat Marea TD 100 (1998) I could use a mix of biodiesel 40% and normal diesel 60%.
Instead with rapeseed/veg oil I have to install a kit like www.elsbett.com.
Anyway I discovered that biological oil could perish some rubber components.
 
And what about diesel for heating system?

Has anyone of you tried it?

Thanks.
 
Back
Top