[Vwdiesel] Q: TD Fuel Injectors; Engine compression

[Val Christian]

The injectors on my 91 have 200kmiles.  I won't say they've 
performed perfectly, but the car starts in any weather, and
the fuel economy is fine.  The performance is, as it always 
has been, limited.  I tend to accelerate pedal to the floor
all the time.  My 17 yo son likes the car for economy, when 
he pays for fuel.  Aside from that, he really wants a Camaro
with a V-8.

The last time I checked compression was at 140Kmiles, and it
was nominally 445 psi, with a spread of 30 psi.  Oh, if checking
compression on a diesel, remember to do the compression
"dry".  Using extra oil puts you at risk of having it ignite.
Might ruin your gauge.

Val


> 
> I've read in a few places that 75,000 - 100,000mi as the wear limit of
> injectors. This and the fact you can get rebuilds for $35-$40 each makes
> it a relatively inexpensive maintenance item.
> 
> But there is also a saying that if it ain't broken, don't fix it.
> 
> Worn injectors usually equate to hard starting, poor mileage, and smoky.
> None of which seem to be affecting you. Just doesn't seem right to
> replace the injectors in your case "just because the book says to".
> 
> Same goes for the engine. 406psi is the lower limit "in the book".  Low
> compression equates to hard starting, oil smoke, and significant oil
> consumption. Neither of these seem to affect you either. 1/2qt of oil in
> 3000mi is nothing. Drive a B4 Passat TDI and you will know why!
> 
> If you are happy with how it runs now, I would leave it, hands-off. 
> If and when any hard starting , poor mileage, or smokiness becomes an
> issue, I would deal with it then.
> 
> Just my $0.02.
> 
> -Gary
> 1997 Passat TDI
> 
> 
> 
> On Mon, 2004-03-08 at 08:48, Gerry Wolfe wrote:
> > Loren recently commented: " With 80K on the engine (?) then the injectors are at about 1/2 to  3/4 of their life."
> > 
> > My '91 Jetta TD has 265K km (about 160K mi?) on the original injectors, and SEEMS to be running smoothly etc.  How can you tell if the injectors are past their prime?  For the last 150K km, I've been using Stanadyne every tank, and for the last 50K km, Stanadyne+2stroke oil (50/50).  Don't know about prior history (I bought the car at 150K km) but PO claimed to do regular maintenance and the car was mint when I purchased it.
> > 
> > A related question: What about compression?  Engine was tested recently, shows 410psi on each cylinder (I've rarely seen an engine showing exactly the same psi on each!)  Bentley suggests this is the lower limit.  Also seen other list-members mention compressions around 500psi.  The motor starts well, doesn't smoke, and uses only 0.5l oil every 4mos/5Kkm.  I use Rotella T 15w40 dino in the warm months and 5w40 synth (either Rotella T or Delvac or LubriMoly) in the colder ones.
> > 
> > advTHANKSance for comments,
> > g.
> 
> 
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