[Vwdiesel] ECO and other questions

[Scott Kair]

Rob,
    The ECODiesel was imported to the states only in model years
1991-92.  ECO was merely the English version of the German marketing
designation "Umwelt Freundlich" - earth friendly- which wouldn't fit
on a trunk badge.
    The 91 & 92 models were identical, the latter model year seeing
something like 50 + - units imported of roughly 1000 for both years.
They were assembled in Germany, rather than Mexico, so there were
fewer qc issues.
    It's important to remember that gasoline prices had dropped, and
VW's corporate future was in doubt at the time ( Dr. Piesche hadn't
assumed leadership yet.)  Diesel sales had dropped off from the
earlier mid-80's peak, and there was a shakeout among dealers.  Diesel
emissions were also coming onto the environmental radar.
Finally, a 1.9 IDI engine was in the development stages, but not ready
for production.
    The engine was the standard 1.6L IDI, but a couple of features
were added for emissions reduction.  The injector pump was the
standard second generation (post-'88) pump for naturally aspirated
engines and lacked the boost compensating aneroid.  A smaller
turbocharger was added, ostensibly for injecting atmospheric air into
the combustion chamber in order to reduce emissions, but consequently
adding 10 hp.  The ECO split the horsepower difference between na's
and conventionally turbocharged engines.
    The aneroid was deleted because of the inclusion of a catalytic
converter in the exhaust system.  Since the aneroid adds fuel under
full boost and a portion of it is unburnt upon exhaust, the aneroid
was deleted to keep from plugging the converter. The system allowed
the ECO to pass California emissions standards.
    Other changes included a different head casting number (a standard
td hydraulic head can be used as a replacement), and different
injector nozzles & tips claimed to resist fouling better than the
standard units.
    ECOs in stock form are readily identified by the presence of
turbocharger easily visible behind the engine (it's smaller than
standard TDs and is easy to see in front of the firewall), and no
aneroid on the pump.  The ECODiesel badge might have been filched, and
the catalytic converter in the exhaust system might have been removed,
also.
    My experience might have been different, but my fuel economy in
the ECO I had was about on par with what I experienced with my caddies
in town, usually around 35-38 mpg.  At 60-62 on the highway, it would
get 42-44.  The final drive in the transmission was geared a bit low.
    A former listee maintains an ECODiesel site and registry at:

http://www.geocities.com/vwecodiesel/

    Just to dispel confusion, the 1.9L InDirect Injection engine did
replace the 1.6 after 1992, but none were imported to the States.  The
1.9 TurboDirect Injection came into production in 1996.
    HTH,
    Scott Kair