New to Diesel?

[rooo]

I thought I'd start this thread because I, like many others on the forums, are going to be new to diesel over the next few months.

I have never owned one, and I'm sure there are things that the manual won't tell me, that I really need to know.

Does the oil need changing more regularly, is there anything that needs cleaning, do we really have to wear those plastic 'bend over sir' gloves when filling up?

Any help, advice or things I need to try are welcome!

 

[dave99]

I wouldnt say there is much difference in what you need to do with a diesel (apart from fill it up with fuel less )

Some diesel pumps can be a bit messy with fuel on the handles, but I dont bother with gloves as its too much hassel (most places have paper towels or something in case you do get a greasy handle ). Most of the filling stations I use tend to be quite clean really (usually Shell).

The only thing you might need to clean more regularly is the back of the car as it gets covered in soot quite quickly when you put your foot down

 

[driveforward]

Totally agree with Dave. I never use the rubber gloves, don't have to perform any extra maintenance and only have to clean the back more often

..if I can be bothered

 

[moeks]

The only other thing I can think of is waiting for the glow-plug light to go out when starting the car from cold, but it'll tell you all about that in the manual. Oh and don't let it run out of diesel, if you do it isn't always just a simple matter of refilling and restarting like with a petrol car, you may get air in the system and need it bleeding.

 

[Sooty torques]

I habitually use a paper towel wrapped around the handle but these days of more diesel ownership seems to mean that the pumps are cleaner... Gone are the days of the diesel pump being a forlorn filthy object at the back of the forecourt. My local Esso used to have one diesel pump, now the diesel pumps outnumber the petrol pumps!

Just stick to the service intervals as recommended in the book; no spark plugs to play with, gap and clean. Keep an eye on the air filter. Other than that, enjoy the torque!

 

[TDI PEP]

Biggest difference I notice on my g/f car is the torque even compared to my old 20VT Ibiza. Oh and we only fill her up about every two weeks and get about 500-550 miles per tank. Used to get 200 miles per tank in the Ibiza if I was lucky.
Cant wait for the Leon to arrive.

 

[FlyTDi]

The power band rev range is narrower on a diesel.
1,500 rpm - 4,500rpm Leon TDI
1,900 rpm - 6,500rpm Golf

But the torque is awesome on the 130/150pd engined diesels and considerably more than the petrol Golf.

Miles better fuel economy and the Leon will leave other cars in a cloud of smoke if they sit too close to your rear bumper!

Not sure if there'd be much in it insurance-wise!

 

[rooo]

Thanks Guys! So far I've got:

1. Fuel Pumps can be a bit greasy
2. Check oil more regularly
3. Drive it a bit more carefully

It will certainly be much cheaper to run. Insurance and Tax are all less and Fuel considerably less. The only this that will cost me more is the tyres - 17's being about £30 more than my 16's.

Is the servicing any different? VW's were a tiny bit more (£10) than petrols. They service intervals are the same these days arent they?

 

[techie]

I allways use the plastic glove.

It may look queer and take a few seconds but being in the motor trade ive seen dermititus and skin cancer related diseases from oil contamination. Not good at all.

It only takes a sec and stops the interior smelling of diesel.

 

[moeks]

I just go for the old 'wrap a couple of paper towles around the pump handle' method myself. It's free, less suspect thab a plastic glove and most importantly it works

 

[Sooty torques]

Another quick thought about our 'fave' fuel - if you've never filled up with Diesel before: boy does it foam - even with supposedly anti-foaming additives. So unless you want it pee'd down your leg, watch the level carefully when it gets near full and ease off. Supermarket fuels tend to be worse. Experience is a harsh master.

 

[rooo]

Originally posted by Sooty torques
Another quick thought about our 'fave' fuel - if you've never filled up with Diesel before: boy does it foam - even with supposedly anti-foaming additives. So unless you want it pee'd down your leg, watch the level carefully when it gets near full and ease off. Supermarket fuels tend to be worse. Experience is a harsh master.

Thats the sort of thing I need to know - cheers :thumbsup:

 

[jpclarke]

When i fill up with diesel I usually wash my hands in the garage toilet as they dont give me any towels etc.

Its a pain but a sure fire way of keeping clean.:jog:

 

[craig-pd130]

Servicing-wise, it's no problem, intervals are every 10K miles. 10K is just an inspection and oil & filter (about £75), 20K is a full service (£200 ish).

As said above, all the action is between 2000rpm and 3500rpm, so to make quick progress you often find you're best to change UP a gear than down

For running-in, don't thrash it but don't baby it, either. It's best to use a little bit of throttle (but not full throttle) every few miles. This helps the piston rings & cylinders bed in, reducing oil consumption and helping longevity.

Enjoy it!

 

[muddyboots]

Originally posted by jpclarke
...I usually wash my hands in the garage toilet as they dont give me any towels etc.

I prefer the sinks myself

It's a good idea to avoid filling station pumps used by lots of trucks/vans etc, as these tend to be the messiest.

The warning about foaming is a good one, especially if you vent the tank and fill right up....

And I'll re-iterate the point about the air filter; on the Ibiza 130 they don't get changed until 40,000 miles which is ridiculous. If you're not convinced, look for my recent thread about them which shows a picture of mine after 23k miles !!! I'd suggest 20k interval max.
Diesels suck air constantly (not throttled like a petrol) and so presumably get dirtier quicker - so why they chose a 40k interval is beyond me...must be to make servicing costs look low.

Anyway, welcome to the dark side, you won't regret it

 

[moeks]

Originally posted by muddyboots
Anyway, welcome to the dark side, you won't regret it

The dark and oily side anyway ...don't you just love it.

Welcome rooo, let derv guid your path from this point on (even if you do slip over in it occasionally )

 

[SteveSugg]

I've recently got my first diesel which is also my first turbo and my dad passed on a turbo tip (he's got a land rover). When you start a turbo car you shouldn't blip the throttle like I would in a n/a car as this starts the turbo spinning and eventually it'll get a bit moody (something to do with fans spinning, it's all greek to me but I do it anyway) Wierdly it's quite a hard habit to get into.

Enjoy the torque!

Steve
Leon 110 TDI
Surrey

 

[moeks]

Personally I've never been once for blipping the throttle in any cars on ignition. But it sounds like reasonable advice.

 

[JONO!!]

it is good advice. basically this is to do with the fact that as the turbo bearings are lubricated by oil fed to them by the engine, if the engine is revved as soon as the engine is started....there will be no oil feeding the bearings which is damaging to the turbo for obvious reasons. the same goes for when the engine is switched off, if the engine has been raced or the turbo spooled at all before you park up, the turbo will still be spinning (they spin at about 120,000rpm at full tilt), and for this reason its good practice to let the engine idle for a while before switchin the engine off so that the oil supply still gets to the turbo while it is still spinning, otherwise the bearings will be running dry.

hope thats useful info!.....its way too late for all this!!

 

[sssstew]

Yes agreed.

When starting your TDIs no pedal action is needed at all, make sure your feet are well back from them to stop the temptation, just turn the key to crank and once started it will idle fine without you needing to blip the thottle.

Been the way with diesel for quite a while as well.