The Dispatch | Expert | Scudo Hub

Scotchjoe,

Your answer intrigues me. Partly because you say this might help and it says file unavailable  , the other part where you said the combi's have some of the highest kerb weights. At first this seemed to poo poo my idea. Until your said about the same as the synergies.... Which seems a bit of a contradiction...... The synergies are lighter than the dispatch by about 150kg, even with the seats and trim and stuff......

Vaz2121,

Your response while on the surface is completely useless (thanks for nothing!  ) the fact you can see the method to my madness means a lot. So a very welcome response 

That's a lot of reading so I'll just reply and hope it's helpful lol.

I have a 1.9td (1997 xud) with a Bosch pump. I run mine on 100% veg all year round. So far it's been down to -4 degrees and I've not had an issue. That's the easy one.

My wife has a xsara picasso 2.0hdi (piece of crap, I hate that bloody car lol). Anyway, the 2 0hdi is a common rail engine, so that limits veg use. They were fitted with either a Bosch or I think Siemens fuel system. The Bosch has an in tank lift pump. The Siemens does not, and instead has a primer bulb in the engine bay (the Bosch system doesn't have a primer bulb).

That in tank pump is the weakest part of the system. I'm reality, they're naff on diesel and loads fail. We run my wife's car 50/50. I've heard of people running up to 70% with this system, but I wouldn't chance it.

About a year (12000 miles) and the in tank lift pump failed. This could be caused by veg, or it could have happened anyway, there's no way of knowing with them being a common failure anyway. I got a new sender unit with pump for £35 on eBay and took me a couple hours to drop the tank and replace.

With the hdi, stick to know more than 50% in my view, remembering that pump is rubbish.

Best bet in relation to veg is get yourself a 1.9td with a Bosch pump and never use diesel again 

In terms of the 2500 litres a year, it's not illegal to use more than that, but that's the tax exemption. It is available online somewhere. Yes it's hard to prove you've gone over, but if someone was to report you (and people do, thinking your running on red) HMRC may pay you a visit, and you have to be able to show them, or at least convince them, that you're not over the limit. Otherwise they can take your mileage and the last recorded mileage (MOT) and work out an average mpg of your vehicle, calculate the estimated fuel usage, and charge you the tax. As well as a fine.

I tend to buy 100 litres a fortnight barring once a year. That way I know I've not gone over. I should keep records to be completely safe, but I'm not organised enough lol

These are Alfa wheels. Can't remember which model but there are no spacers or anything and I don't have a problem

Update, back to the car now, it's been sat 3 or 4 hours, brakes are completely fine now. I'm going to suspect mainly the master cylinder, so I'll replace that when I get home just in case, and probably to the compensator valve too because that has been odd as mentioned. I think maybe it's unlikely to be that but can't hurt. Fingers crossed all will be ok till I get home.

Seeing as it's "fixed" itself, it clearly isn't an external leak, and can't really be a bad Flexi either

I had a similar problem on my wife's xsara picasso (same engine, same filter). I put the old seal back on and it was fine again. Kept that seal every time I've changed the filter and it's still ok a year ish on

I always use p&o on Dover / Calais. (I used dfds once because they were £10 cheaper, but by god never again!) They save all your vehicle and passenger details so it's a simple drop down list to select which you've got this time.

I got moved into the tunnel for free once when sea France were in strike and blocked the ports. It's the only time I've used it and I honestly can't see the point in paying the extra. It might be a bit quicker but just sitting there in your car means you'll need to stop for an extra rest, therefore losing the time saved. On the ferry you can have a stroll, have a kip, have a beer (half going out, fill pint coming back  ) and you leave the ferry rested and ready to drive however many hours you feel comfortable doing

My wheels are from an Alfa 156/147 I believe.

I know mine isn't the van version, but the weights are the same and I put the car well through its paces, probably more so than most Vans lol

I still wouldn't bother to be honest. All they'd do is take you to a garage. Still have whatever the issue would be

I get it from...... Emm.... eBay lol. Look got the ones plastered on hazard labels them be legit lol. No I always add 2ehn. The -3 is when I start thinking about pump diesel. It does fine on veg at least down to that. Possibly lower but I only bought this one last march and -3 was the lowest it's been. And started no problem

I wouldn't chance it with a Lucas pump. They're weak with diesel never mind veg