How best to 'work' the engine?

[seat_rich]

After reading a post on here last week where someone was told that they weren't 'working' their TDI enough, it got me thinking.

Five days of the week, my car (PD130) genuinely doesn't go above 2000rpm, or below 55mpg journey average, so it's hardly getting thrashed.

Presumably I should be giving it a blast now and again to ensure various engine deposits are burnt off etc., but how best to do this?

Thrashing the nuts off it through the gears i.e. 1500rpm to redline, foot to the floor?

High gear runs with foot to the floor, i.e. keeping it in a narrower range say 2500-3500rpm but at full load for longer?

What's the best way to keep the engine at it's best?

 

[ChrisGTL]

Uphill thrashing with loads of Americans sat in your car eating burgers.

Use high RPM's.

 

[seat_rich]

Cool, I'll give it a go.

Only slight worry is that when I'm at high rpms (say over 3500rpm) there's a weird gurgling sound like running water coming from somewhere (sounds like it's down near the gear-stick).

Seems to run fine and perform well enough both on economy and speed though.

Any ideas?

 

[sssstew]

for me i would say the best way to keep it healthy is a good hard cross country run. Not all motorways as well. Once every couple of months is a good basis.

 

[curryholic]

there's a weird gurgling sound like running water coming from somewhere

That's the diesel being sucked out of the tank

 

[bigman75]

I tend to give mine plenty of rice!!

My everyday run (20 miles each way) is a pretty cool mix of rural and quick A roads.

When I get the opportunity I tend to hit around 3500rpm in 3rd then upto 5th. The response from the engine within this range is phenomenal!

I've read a few posts about the DPF light activating but this has never happened to me and I'm convinced it's down to the occasional thrash with the engine!

By all means if anyone thinks I'm doing it wrong, please tell me.

Good thread btw, thanks

Andy

 

[Jim H]

Remember, of course, to only thrash the car when the water and oil are up to normal temperature. Never do it from cold. Take it easy at first and don't use the turbo, then when the temp gauge has risen, thrash it.

 

[jim-bob]

drove my cordy tdi today for the first time, must say i didnt go above 3k, no need!!

but i quess its good to have a "blow out" every now and then, drive it steady all the time and the egr will surely have a stroke..

 

[bigman75]

Remember, of course, to only thrash the car when the water and oil are up to normal temperature. Never do it from cold. Take it easy at first and don't use the turbo, then when the temp gauge has risen, thrash it.

Oh indeed! The start of the journey is alot of 30 stretches. This warms the car up lovely before I give it some.

Now, when do we know the temp gauge has risen when there isn't a temp gauge available in the car??

Andy

 

[jim-bob]

Oh indeed! The start of the journey is alot of 30 stretches. This warms the car up lovely before I give it some.

Now, when do we know the temp gauge has risen when there isn't a temp gauge available in the car??

Andy

wtf.. u have no engine temp gauge??

 

[bigman75]

Not that I've seen.

I've played with the trip computer and I can't see one. I'm sure that other forum members have queried the same in the recent past.

I just take comfort that after 10 miles of slow easy going driving the engine has warmed suffciently before giving it my full size 14! lol

If you can tell me how to locate the gauge that would be great

 

[Jim H]

wtf.. u have no engine temp gauge??

I suppose you could use the car heater as a very rough guess. When you think it is at it's hottest then the engine may be, but again this is a rough guess.

The time and distance will depend on whether it is a petrol or diesel and of course the outside temp. A diesel being so efficient takes ages to warm up.

 

[bigman75]

My very thoughts. I do use the heaters as a guide. Especially recently!

It's very bizarre that an oil temp gauge was omitted. I can't see one anywhere.

Thanks JimH

 

[devonutopia]

You should have a gauge with a thermometer type symbol on it. usually sits at dead on 90.

Re working out - definitely keep any thrashing above 2500rpm. Below that you're probably just loading the car up a bit too much if trying too hard to accelerate low in the revs.

 

[PJ BUSA]

quite a few cars nowadays dont have a temperature gauge only a light to let you know when its got to hot,the misses corsa has no gauge, I personly like to see one on all cars

 

[sssstew]

the warmth of the air from the heater isnt a guage of how warm the engine is, as the oil in the engine takes alot longer than the water to warm up to give full protection mind, remember muddy saying about another 15 mins more when he had the old PD130 with both water and oil temp gauges.

Note that from cold like said its not advisable to trash it which everyone knows but its also not wise to drive too lightly else you are extending the warm up time, once started just drive gently but normally to quickly get the temps up. I used to start then drive straight off revving no more than about 2500 rpm then after a few mins up to 3k. This decreases the time to warm up whilst minimising the amount of time running with cold oil.

 

[NickyJam]

if the car's been stopped for a while (i.e. over night) then give it a good 10-15 mins of steady driving, usually the needle begins to rise after that. At this point I see it as safe to begin revving the car more

I always keep the engine idle for 1-2 mins every morning just to get the oil moving round better before setting off

 

[Dajmin]

This is good news. It means that the next time I put my foot to the floor and scare the crap out of my girlfriend I can justify it by saying I'm helping the engine. Everybody wins!

 

[bigman75]

if the car's been stopped for a while (i.e. over night) then give it a good 10-15 mins of steady driving, usually the needle begins to rise after that. At this point I see it as safe to begin revving the car more

I always keep the engine idle for 1-2 mins every morning just to get the oil moving round better before setting off

This is exactly how I treat mine every morning. Although I don't have a needle that begins to rise?! Ultimately it's sounds like i'm treating my car right

 

[jase750]

I always keep the engine idle for 1-2 mins every morning just to get the oil moving round better before setting off

pretty sure the manual advises NOT to do this .

better to start the car and drive off straight away