[Fwd: [Vwdiesel] New to list]

[Nate Wall]

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
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Somehow my response did not make it to the VW Diesel list.

--Nate
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Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2003 09:35:09 -0500
From: Nate Wall <nwall at opei.org>
To: AudiQuattro1205 at aol.com
Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] New to list
References: <187.147e80c9.2b575b48 at aol.com>

First, welcome to the VW Diesel List Saul. You will not find more knowledgeable
folks, ANYWHERE, when it comes to IDI (indirect injection) VW diesels.

Any new-to-me VW diesel I would do the following:

You can save substantially on labor. First purchase the Robert Bentley repair
manual. It can be ordered from their site on the net. I forget the URL.

1. Change the oil and filter. Use A DIESEL RATED OIL (CH). I use Shell Rotella
15W-40. In MA you might want to use something a little thinner, possibly a diesel
synthetic (who here knows a good one?). Use an OEM filter, MANN or Bosch.

2. Change the timing belt (or find out when it was done). Must be done every
60,000 miles. If it breaks, engine damage will occur.  Valves will collide w/ the
pistons. Special tools (about $200) are needed to accurately set the injection
and valve timings. Setting belt tension correctly is crucial, but don't use that
gauge thinngy mentioned in Bentley. Its useless, and very expensive. We on the
list can tell you haw to properly tension it.

3. Do all the routine stuff, like change the coolant, brake fluid (flush the
system), new air cleaner, lube the doors and latches. Check the tire pressure.
Wash and wax it. vacuum it. Being clean and shinny will make driving funner!

I never do the ATF in the fuel filter. I've heard mixed opinions about this. Do
prime the filter w/ fuel, if possible. I do use a diesel additive (Power
Service?) now, but for 9 years I did not and never had a problem.

This are the big things, but I bet I missed something.

AudiQuattro1205 at aol.com wrote:

>   Hello all my name is Saul and i live in Southeastern MA. I recently
> purchased a 1991 Ecodiesel. I understand that these cars are rather rare. I
> bought the car because i have a 100 mile commute so MPG was very important in
> my choice of car. It has 192,000 miles on it and seems to run very well. I
> have heard that these engines are damn near bulletproof so i did not hesitate
> in purschasing the car with all that milage on it.
>   Now i have never owned a diesel before so upkeep with this car is a whole
> new world to me. I need to replace the fuel filter and i read that filling
> the filter when changing it with ATF helps to lube the injector pump and to
> also clean the injectors and pump,is this true sounds wacky to me. Also, I
> was told it would not be a bad idea to put 2 stroke oil or even motor oil in
> my fuel when i fill up, again is this for real???
>   Is there any other maintenance issues that any of you could enlighten me
> with it would be greatly appreciated.. The other thing is this i am new to
> diesels,but i'm not new to turbo's. I have built and modified many
> turbocharged gas engines, but never a diesel. Seeing as how my car came
> equipped with a turbo the thought of modding it has crossed my mind many a
> time. I would very much like to put an intercooler on it, from what I
> understand intercooling a diesel has the same effect it has on a gas engine.
> I also wouldn't mind turning up the boost some, but the part that gets me is
> this a diesel runs by detonation which IS VERY BAD WITH A GAS ENGINE!!!  I
> have no idea how to tune a diesel engine, from what i gather you can pump all
> the air you want into a diesel it wouldn't make much difference unless you
> supply it with extra fuel. For tuning a gas engine i usually use a air/fuel
> ratio gauge and for extreme applications i use an EGT meter, but with a
> diesel i keep reading about looking at the smoke coming out of the tailpipe
> as an indicator as to how rich or lean the engine is running, is this correct
> for diesel tuning or is there a more precise  method?? I am very excited to
> be learing more about making a TD engine more powerful i enjoy learning new
> things especially anything to do with cars. So any info that any of you can
> give me would be greatly appreciated.
>   Lastly one of my VW friends was at Waterfest last year and he said that
> there were some really well done and modded TDI's running around are any of
> you on this list??
> Sorry, for the long winded post, but i just want to understand my car as
> completely as possible. Thank's in adavnce SAUL.
> _______________________________________________
> vwdiesel mailing list
> vwdiesel at vwfans.com
> http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/vwdiesel

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