[T3] Going to Hell in a handcart

[Jim Adney]

On 24 Jan 2013 at 22:49, Dave Hall wrote:

> I detect a sense of satisfaction for a job well done.  Better to be working
> on computers in this weather than on Type 3s.  

Correct, on both counts.  ;-)

> We're hoping for double figures on the temperature scale in the next couple
> of days - degrees C though!  That'll get rid of the 5" of snow we've had on
> the ground for a week.

We had a few days of that last week. Unseasonably warm for January, 
yet quite appreciated for those of us not into winter sports.

> Has your modern VW been sorted?

My best guess is that the problem was waxing up of the diesel fuel 
filter. The car started and ran fine once it sat for awhile. I assume 
the heat soak after shutdown cured the problem once the car died. If 
this happens again, I'll wait a few minutes before calling AAA. I've 
since filled up a couple times with local (presumably more 
winterized) fuel.

I contacted VW to see if/what they recommended to winterize diesel 
fuel. They responded, but it really wasn't helpful: They said not to 
add anything. That I should verify from the places where I bought 
fuel that it was sufficiently winterized.

There're 3 problems there. One is that the people at these places 
generally have no idea what I'm asking about and they'll answer yes 
regardless of what's actually in their tanks. Second is that people 
in my position will buy whatever additive is on the shelf unless VW 
does a bit of research and recommends something. Finally, it ignores 
the fact that the fuel blenders add something, so what is it, and 
shouldn't I be able to add a bit of the same thing with the same 
degree of harmlessness?

On another note, he did tell me that VW was looking into approving 
the use of B20 (20% biodiesel.) We're currently limited to B5, but 
that was approved only after VW studied it. There have actually be 
times when I had to pass up pumps with B20, so B20 would be useful.


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Jim Adney, jadney at vwtype3.org
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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