Looking after a PD VAG car

[tsp]

Hi everyone, I put this on Briskoda but as you guys seem to know your TDi beans Rach told me to bang it up here too, good idea I thought so i did

I have just bought a Bora PD130 which I'm very happy with

Buuuuuuuuuuut it has done 105k miles

This is the first oil burner I've ever owned and any help on looking after it would be appreciated

What's the score with the carbon cannister?

I've read about a millers additive, is it worth me using some of this?

And other than the usual filters etc should I do anything special? I'm aware this car has done a fair few miles so I'd love to really get it up together and serviced ASAP.

Thanks everyone

 

[MarkWales]

I always use millers in every tank

 

[sssstew]

105k is nothing, just run in at 80k, so it will be giving its best performance now. Assuming its been well maintained of course.

Millers - yes lots of people swear by this, have a search back through theres loads of peoples views on fuel additives in the TDI section.

Nothing special needs to be done, apart from maybe check and clean up the EGR, and get it turned down with VAG COM if you can.

Not sure about the carbon cannister.... sorry.

Moved to TDI section.

 

[muddyboots]

I suspect you've read this already, but using the correct grade of oil is critical for PD engines, to prevent premature wear on the camshaft from the high forces of operating the PD injectors. Search for "505.01". That's the #1 thing to know
Also, when you change the oil - the new oil will be black even by the time you check the level on the dipstick. That's normal and catches a few people out who assume their dealer hasn't changed the oil during a service because it looks dirty !

If you're giving it a proper once-over, I'd give all the intake/boost hoses a thorough inspection to make sure none of the joints are coming apart yet. You'll need to get underneath to see all of them properly. Sometimes they can come partially apart so no faults are registered, but lower MPG, hesitation, power drops, smoke.....
And yes it's normal to see oil seeping out from some of the boost hose connections....

Don't worry about 105k miles....my last 3 cars (since 2003) have all been PD130s and all have gone past 100k without any real issues.

 

[tsp]

Brilliant, thanks for the replies everyone.

I have read up about the oil, seems to be as much an issue as it was with my AUQ engine in my Octavia.

It's going in for it's service tommorow, a once over and a couple of new bushes being fitted.

Thanks again everyone, time to read up on the Millers.

Sorry about posting in the wrong section!

 

[PJ BUSA]

muddyboots can you say why oil is black soon after oil change thanks

 

[Viking]

Because the oil in a diesel engine is designed to hold soot in suspension. It's (soot) too small to filter out so the only way is to cope with it in the oil. As such there's always a small amount of oil which is impossible to remove from the engine when draining it, and this mixes with the new oil straight away and colours it.

 

[muddyboots]

muddyboots can you say why oil is black soon after oil change thanks

I was about say "because it's full of soot" but Viking's answer is a bit more in depth

 

[hugh_]

tsp (a muse reference?), I have a Toledo PD130 with 106k on it. I've had the car 18 months and ~45k mls and have been using Millers for the last 3-4k of those. There's not a massive performance difference, if any, but it makes it so much smoother. Mine took about 5 tank fulls before it stopped improving. I ran out last week and didnt have a chance to get another bottle before needing to fill up, and the difference was immediately obvious.

 

[bubbles1]

muddyboots can you say why oil is black soon after oil change thanks

This is due to the dealer draining the oil through the sump.

If you use a pella 600 you will remove more dirty oil ( oil filter area) and the oil will stay new looking for a few miles after running the engine.

A dealer oil change will result in black oil as soon as the engine is started.