[Vwdiesel] Correct oil for a 1985 Jetta TD engine (in a 81 Pickup)

[James Hansen]

Good choice on the oil Mike.  I know it can get way more technical, but
simply to use turbo diesel rated oil in a turbo diesel is a major step.  You
would be surprised what I've seen used in the name of thrift, salesmanship,
ignorance, or a blend of the three. The CG-4 CH-4 specs are what really
matter in my opinion.  It means the oil has been tested to withstand a
specific test to meet the engine requirements, but not how much the
requirements have been exceeded.  Some meet spec, some exceed to by a goodly
margin.  I use Rotella T 15-40 with XLA, as it isn't much more $ than the
fleet rated Rotella T, and that's what I buy in drums for the farm.  Results
in my 89 jetta td have been pretty fair, it has quite a few miles on this
oil.
   However, as has been said you would do well to use ABF filters. (that
would be anything-but-Fram)  There are a large number of filters that are
actually made by Fram and sold as whatever store brand too, so watch for
that.  I think wham bam thank you Fram are VERY poorly made and I WILL NOT
purchase one.  Ever. I don't care how good the sale is. Wife's gas jetta
popped two in it's  lifetime- that is separated the filter body from the
mounting plate during a winter cold start.  Admittedly this was with
non-synth winter grade oil, and it was really cold both times (-40C), but
that's all that was available for oil those days.  If wife wasn't sharp, and
forbidden from driving when the little red light is on, I would have been
doing two rebuilds. Their bypass valve is made of crap and doomed to leak
too. I've had quite a few filters apart post usage, and the wix is
reasonably good, filter media secured well and all.  The Fram is not too bad
other than the wimpy can crimp, reduced number of pleats, and the little red
guy with horns sitting in there pokeing holes in the paper with his
pitchfork.  ;-)

-James