Bangernomics and veg oil drivers.

montymonty123

I currently drive a 55 picanto. Needs some costly work done so time to say goodbye.

I have read the whole bangernomics thread and have even taken notes. I cannot spent more than a grand, and want a diesel car with a more comfortable ride, slightly wider wheel base (the lumps of tarmac so called speed bumps current hammer the picanto at any speed), would like to use veg oil in summer, not to interested in dual tank or pre-warming at this stage, it goes without saying that no expensive repairs in its future. I know the usual suspects all german japanese swedish etc. Not bothered about speed so not keen on turbos, just a problem waiting to happen, more a comfy ride after the picanto.

Here are my questions: Which cars have the easiest fuel filters to change, which are easiest for a complete beginner to learn to repair on his own with the haynes and internet, (real bangernomics must entail some home repair work to be viable).

Recommendations so I can investigate more would be appreciated.

Regards Monty

Joe_Horner

Pretty well anyhing with a Peugeot XUD engine as long as it has the Bosch fuel pump.

That includes Pug 205, 305, 405, early 306 & 406 as well as Citroen BX, ZX, Visa, Xsara, Xantia, Rover 200 & 400, pre-2001 Toyota Corolla and probably others over the years (certainly a lot of vans).

Pugs of that age don't suffer the classic "French electrics" problems as badly as most because they tend to have far less electrics in them. The Citroens have some nasty quirks like hydrolasticism.

The engines thrive on veg oil and, even with turbos, are easily good for a trip to the moon if basic oil changes are respected. Fuel filter is mounted high and changed by undoing 4 small bolts, lift the cap, swap cartriges and do back up. Pugs don't rust (well, nothing like many other, even newer, cars) but they do have a reputation for rear swing arm bearings seizing, which means a complete new rear axe in practice.

Cheap to buy, very cheap parts - just did 2 front suspension bushes, a ball-joint (separate fro the arm like they should be), a CV gaiter and a set of brake pads for my 405's MOT and the total parts cost was about £35. If I'd needed disks as well they're £11 + VAT each.

Access for some jobs (cam belt as an example) is a little tight, but easily possible, and servicing basically consists of oil & filter changes. Cam belt has proper metal tensioners with proper ball bearings so much less likely to let go prematurely than modern plastic crap, and the tensioners are officially changed on condition rather than automatically with the belt.

The 405 is good for 50mpg with ease on a run, high 50s are easily possible if you're gentle (as opposed to slow) and 40 - 45 is a fair average unless you're doing a lot of city miles, in which case you probably don't want a diesel anyway. I've never had one but would assume the smaller cars are even better.

Stoke

Any older VW SDI with a Bosch VEP injection pump. Engine code AKU is excellent found in Lupo's, Polo's, Golf's and some Caddy's.

I run my Lupo on 100% veg oil. Fuel filter takes 5 minutes, oil change is half hour. Hardest job is air filter which is located in a right weird place but still very easy compared to newer vehicles.

Stoke

My MPG best is 79 but more realistically is a healthy 65mpg.

montymonty123

Thank you for the replies. The Lupo looks great and that mileage!!! but only three door, Mrs wants 5 door as we regularly give lifts and it would be her getting out (driver has to stay in his seat!!!). Will look more into Pug with XUD. Is that all pre 2001 or do you have to ask/look when you buy? sorry if its a stupid question but i think its better to ask than not. I had a picasso on a 52 (petrol) a few years ago but Mrs hated that she couldnt see the end of the bonnet so hated trying to park it!!! I have some research to do, thanks Monty

Joe_Horner

Up to the end of 406 production (2004) if it was 1.8 or 1.9l it was an XUD, 2.0L isn't and 2.1 is but I'm not sure how veg oil friendly the 2.1 is.

The 1.9 turbo in any of them is a good one to aim for - I'll be hitting the 200k miles in mine in the next month or two and fully expect to be entering lunar orbit with it sometime in 2016.

CrazyRed

Merc W202 C250TD or, if you can find one W124 2.5D.

In Elegance Trim ticks the boxes for wheel width over the dreaded humps, comfort, veg oil operation in the summer and potential interstellar mileage, parts for the most part are available and fairly budget-friendly. Fuel economy not the greatest, however.

Stoke

montymonty123 wrote: »

Thank you for the replies. The Lupo looks great and that mileage!!! but only three door, Mrs wants 5 door as we regularly give lifts and it would be her getting out (driver has to stay in his seat!!!). Will look more into Pug with XUD. Is that all pre 2001 or do you have to ask/look when you buy? sorry if its a stupid question but i think its better to ask than not. I had a picasso on a 52 (petrol) a few years ago but Mrs hated that she couldnt see the end of the bonnet so hated trying to park it!!! I have some research to do, thanks Monty

If the Lupo is a bit small, consider a Polo, Golf, Leon MK1, Fabia, Octavia and apparently a Bora, or any of the other larger vehicles with the same engine (there's numerous). Ultimately, I like the Lupo because it's seriously easy to park and was incredibly cheap, but that doesn't mean you have to go for one. It also has better MPG than the rest but that's only due to its small size.

You need to be wary of anything Pump Duse from VW as running them on veg oil can cause serious damage (usually killing the turbo in fact). Stick to SDI. They're slow, but they're economical, reliable and great for veg oil.

The XUD's are good primarily because they're tried and tested on veg oil, but they usually require a few modifications to the fuel filter and stuff to make them run more efficiently.

Whereas the VW's come with fuel filters designed to combat gelling so the modification is not really required.

XUD's also have far worse fuel economy than the SDI engines, but then they're usually cheaper to buy in the first place.