2003-2011 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
We get almost zero traffic here for diesel engines.
They have timing belts. Ignoring the scheduled replacement of these can result in heavy destruction of valves, head, pistons etc. One need to ask questions about replacement of other related things such as bent tensioners. This maintenance will be costly and is one of the detractors from the lower fuel costs of diesel engines.
You have no concerns of fuel quality there. (sucks here)
The engines breath a lot more air than a gas engine and the air filter has more work to do. So the filters should be replaced more often than for a gas engine. If there is a snow or sand screen in the intake, it will need to be cleaned! <-- often not stated or ignored when these are fitted (VW's have these)
Engine oil is critical. Always find out what the oil specifications are for the engines in the current model year and use these evolving oil specifications, not the ones in the owners manual that end up being an artifact. Check the oil levels often, oil consumption might be a lot higher than a gasser. Never over fill as the PCV system can then trash the oxidative converter (like a catalytic converter) with excess oil.
Never flog these engines when cold, let them warm up. Blowby when cold on hard acceleration is bad for a number of reasons, but can also soot the oil up faster than neccesary.
I do not know of a site that would address any of the specifics for that engine.
The diesel engines can be very fast, especially in city traffic situations. But some impelementations may have the power curve engineered to be a bit tame, or perhaps to not be faster than the high output 2.3 liter gassers. There are some peformance mods for the engine control computers that might be interesting.
Diesel engines have particular engine coolant needs, just any coolant often will not do.
A diesel engine will not tolerate any owner neglect.
97 VW Passat TDI, chipped and other mods (sold)
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