My first diesel

BrokenArrows

Right im the proud owner of a nice 01 Passat tdi 130bhp

Is there anything i should know about looking after a diesel.

How often to service?

I notice there is far less revs on the diesel engine than a petrol. Should i be avoiding hitting the high revs?

Anything different than a petrol.


Apart from putting a massive bumper sticker above the tank saying DIESEL so i wont put petrol into it. haha.

Victor_M

BrokenArrows wrote: »

Right im the proud owner of a nice 01 Passat tdi 130bhp

Is there anything i should know about looking after a diesel.

How often to service?

I notice there is far less revs on the diesel engine than a petrol. Should i be avoiding hitting the high revs?

Anything different than a petrol.


Apart from putting a massive bumper sticker above the tank saying DIESEL so i wont put petrol into it. haha.

I have noticed that some diesel drivers on here leave the engine run for about 30 seconds after the car comes to a halt before they turn it off, something about extending the life of the turbo by lubricating it before it shuts off.

SV

All the power in the diesels is in low rev range..
You don't have to avoid the high revs but you'll find it pointless to be in them as there's no power!

Not sure about specific serving but every 8k is sufficient for most cars.




One more thing..don't get sucked into thinking it's a rocket of a car, it happens to so many new diesel drivers.

Victor_M wrote: »

I have noticed that some diesel drivers on here leave the engine run for about 30 seconds after the car comes to a halt before they turn it off, something about extending the life of the turbo by lubricating it before it shuts off.

That's actually true yes, most petrols turbos have turbo timers which will keep the engine running for you for a set period but it cant hurt to let it run for a while after driving.

cian1500ww

Also don't rev the crap out of it when you start it

Moanin

A diesel doesn't need plugs to be changed during service intervals as it doesn't have plugs.
Change the fuel filter every second service and enjoy the torque of the 130bhp!!

bazz26

You will find that when overtaking you will not need to drop a gear in a diesel. They are more torquey than a petrol so don't require as much reving. The thing with some diesels especially the VAG TDi engines is that you get a sudden burst of power between 15000 and 25000 rpm. Either side of that and you tend to have a flat spot.

mickdw

Those small diesels are a pain in the ass, short little burst of 'power' then nothing yet the owners are convinced they are the fastest car ever

Johnny Utah

Let the turbo wind down for about 30 secs after each journey. Allow a bit longer (perhaps 1 min) for long journeys.

Drive it gently until you get up to engine temperature, and also drive it gently for the last few miles of your journey.


If the car has an EGR valve, make sure that's it's kept clean.

BrokenArrows

ok some good advice to prolong the life of my car.

i drove a micra before this so to be this IS THE FASTEST CAR IN THE WORLD. haha.

Fishtits

Don't flog it while it's cold, use the VAG recommended oil spec (expensive) & intervals.

Enjoy it.

Esel

bazz26 wrote: »

...The thing with some diesels especially the VAG TDi engines is that you get a sudden burst of power between 15000 and 25000 rpm. ...

Ahem....

Del2005

BrokenArrows wrote: »

Anything different than a petrol.

They can blow it up when doing the NCT and there's nothing you can do about it.

Don't let it run out of fuel.

BrokenArrows

Del2005 wrote: »

Don't let it run out of fuel.

why what happens when it runs out of fuel besides stopping!

Mr Benevolent

BrokenArrows wrote: »

why what happens when it runs out of fuel besides stopping!

Nothing much since it's not a commonrail diesel. That's a good thing btw Oh and don't be fooled by guys who tell you the 130 TDI is anything but a rocketship. Trust me, it'll out-accelerate the Space Shuttle, Concorde and a Veyron with ease*

*May not be true

Seriously, running out of fuel MAY cause crud at the bottom of the tank to be sucked into the fuel pumps, injectors and engine with expensive results. 1.9TDIs are generally bulletproof though.