'00 to '06-ish TDI's...good and bad?
#12
08-10-2009, 01:48 PM
#13
08-10-2009, 02:18 PM
Diesel Bomber
#14
08-10-2009, 03:33 PM
#15
09-28-2009, 05:53 PM
Well he ended up bringing home an '03 5 speed Jetta with 70k miles, the timing belt was done at 53k and he got it for $6.5k without holding anyone hostage.
Now it's time for a box, air intake and wants to straight pipe it. I can't think of why he shouldn't straight pipe it! It's got a Magnaflow muffler on it right now, you can't hear a dang thing but a little bit of engine noise.
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One more thing that he knew about before he bought it is a couple glow plugs are bad, there's a check engine light for that. That's not a big deal, is it? It starts fine right now and I'm sure it'd be a good idea to get them replaced before winter...it gets down to +28 degrees F here sometimes, REALLY cold winters...
But I'll take snow over fair weather and smelly hippies any day
Now it's time for a box, air intake and wants to straight pipe it. I can't think of why he shouldn't straight pipe it! It's got a Magnaflow muffler on it right now, you can't hear a dang thing but a little bit of engine noise.
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One more thing that he knew about before he bought it is a couple glow plugs are bad, there's a check engine light for that. That's not a big deal, is it? It starts fine right now and I'm sure it'd be a good idea to get them replaced before winter...it gets down to +28 degrees F here sometimes, REALLY cold winters...
But I'll take snow over fair weather and smelly hippies any day
Last edited by greasemonkey; 09-28-2009 at 05:53 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
#16
09-28-2009, 08:34 PM
Diesel Bomber
the simple answer is no. the tdi is designed for a specific type of oil that usually works. yes people have ventured out and used conventional oil. sometimes it works sometimes bad things happen. i just find it easier to use the right oil.
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really cold winters
it gets down to o or 10 degrees usually here. if its 28 degrees outside it means its either spring or we got a really warm summer like day in winter. the glowplugs should be fine. the glowplugs in my truck are shot too so join the club i guess
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it gets down to o or 10 degrees usually here. if its 28 degrees outside it means its either spring or we got a really warm summer like day in winter. the glowplugs should be fine. the glowplugs in my truck are shot too so join the club i guess
Last edited by Woody35; 09-28-2009 at 08:34 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
#17
10-07-2009, 03:17 PM
the simple answer is no. the tdi is designed for a specific type of oil that usually works. yes people have ventured out and used conventional oil. sometimes it works sometimes bad things happen. i just find it easier to use the right oil.
the glowplugs should be fine. the glowplugs in my truck are shot too so join the club i guess
the glowplugs should be fine. the glowplugs in my truck are shot too so join the club i guess
He was also talking to an auto mechanic friend of his that said he fought the glowplug wiring harness and ended up running his own wires, bypassing the OEM harness on the engine and it worked fine after that.
Wait, glowplugs in your truck? TRUCKS don't have glowplugs, they have intake heaters
Does it at least have a straight front axle? 
Last edited by greasemonkey; 10-07-2009 at 03:22 PM.
#18
10-07-2009, 06:54 PM
Diesel Bomber
straight axle? i want a comfortable ride when i go driving not be jarring around the cab. glowplugs when working properly will light all the way up and when the fuel enters the prechamber it will hit it and the engine will start up instantly. a lot better than some hot air. heres some info on some oil reqs
For engines that are NOT "pumpe-duse" or "common-rail". This is for the older-design mechanical rotary distributor pump engines.
You must use a synthetic engine oil, recommended viscosity 5w40 although 0w40 is also permissible (and in the case that the oil meets specifically one of the VW 505.xx standards then the viscosity does not matter, it could be different), AND in the fine print on the bottle that lists what standards that the oil conforms to, it must list either VW 505.00, ACEA B3, ACEA B4, API CJ-4, CI-4, API CH-4, or API CG-4. (Note: "Either" means ANY ONE OF, not necessarily all of them. For example, if it's VW 505.00 but doesn't list the others, that's fine, because VW 505.00 is "one" of the standards listed and you only need "one".) But do NOT assume that any synthetic oil will meet these standards. READ THE BOTTLE. For example, most versions of Mobil 1 do NOT meet these standards (they are meant for gasoline engines). Also, any oil that is suitable for a P-D is fine for a distributor-pump engine.
Many "European car" synthetic oils meet these requirements. So does Mobil Delvac 1 5w40, Shell Rotella Synthetic 5w40 or 0w40, PetroCanada Duron Synthetic 5w40 (can be special ordered at any PetroCanada OilChangers location in Canada), Castrol Syntec 5w40 European-car formulation, and quite a few others. IF IN DOUBT, READ THE LABEL.
The VW part number for the oil most commonly used at the dealers is ZVW-352-540S = Castrol Syntec 5W-40 (VW 505.00 rated, suitable for non-PD TDI engines; not suitable for PD TDI engines). If they use the PD oil (see below) that's OK.
For engines that are NOT "pumpe-duse" or "common-rail". This is for the older-design mechanical rotary distributor pump engines.
You must use a synthetic engine oil, recommended viscosity 5w40 although 0w40 is also permissible (and in the case that the oil meets specifically one of the VW 505.xx standards then the viscosity does not matter, it could be different), AND in the fine print on the bottle that lists what standards that the oil conforms to, it must list either VW 505.00, ACEA B3, ACEA B4, API CJ-4, CI-4, API CH-4, or API CG-4. (Note: "Either" means ANY ONE OF, not necessarily all of them. For example, if it's VW 505.00 but doesn't list the others, that's fine, because VW 505.00 is "one" of the standards listed and you only need "one".) But do NOT assume that any synthetic oil will meet these standards. READ THE BOTTLE. For example, most versions of Mobil 1 do NOT meet these standards (they are meant for gasoline engines). Also, any oil that is suitable for a P-D is fine for a distributor-pump engine.
Many "European car" synthetic oils meet these requirements. So does Mobil Delvac 1 5w40, Shell Rotella Synthetic 5w40 or 0w40, PetroCanada Duron Synthetic 5w40 (can be special ordered at any PetroCanada OilChangers location in Canada), Castrol Syntec 5w40 European-car formulation, and quite a few others. IF IN DOUBT, READ THE LABEL.
The VW part number for the oil most commonly used at the dealers is ZVW-352-540S = Castrol Syntec 5W-40 (VW 505.00 rated, suitable for non-PD TDI engines; not suitable for PD TDI engines). If they use the PD oil (see below) that's OK.
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greasemonkey (10-08-2009)
#19
10-17-2009, 01:10 PM
2nd the TDIClub reference. WONDERFUL TDI reference site !!! I've put together a binder of useful articles that is about 3 inches thick for future reference.
the 00-06 tdis are all fairly good except for the passat tdis.
The passat has an expensive defect in them that requires the engine's balance shafts to be fixed or risk of killing the oil pump drive will occur.
The alh engines that are in the 00-03 tdis are very good. They respond well to chips, injectors and other mods found on Fred's TDI Page. TDIClub.com. VW TDI Enthusiast Community. They get the best milage out of the tdis sold in the USA. The engines had 2-3 different timing belt setups with the best being installed by the factory in 2003. The 2003 5sp setup is good for roughly 100k miles. the older setups were less but can be upgraded to the 2003 timing belt kit which costs about $270-$330 from a reputable tdi vender using OEM parts.
The PD engines used 2004-2006 produce more 10-20 hp but return less milage. The injector upgrade is more expensive too. There has also be some discussion about cam wear but I do not know much about this as I've never owned one...but I'm always game for playing with a more powerful vw engine.
The TDIClub community has the best online support for TDI mods for this as simple as air filters to as complicated as piston upgrades or engine swaps. Fred's TDI Page. TDIClub.com. VW TDI Enthusiast Community
The passat has an expensive defect in them that requires the engine's balance shafts to be fixed or risk of killing the oil pump drive will occur.
The alh engines that are in the 00-03 tdis are very good. They respond well to chips, injectors and other mods found on Fred's TDI Page. TDIClub.com. VW TDI Enthusiast Community. They get the best milage out of the tdis sold in the USA. The engines had 2-3 different timing belt setups with the best being installed by the factory in 2003. The 2003 5sp setup is good for roughly 100k miles. the older setups were less but can be upgraded to the 2003 timing belt kit which costs about $270-$330 from a reputable tdi vender using OEM parts.
The PD engines used 2004-2006 produce more 10-20 hp but return less milage. The injector upgrade is more expensive too. There has also be some discussion about cam wear but I do not know much about this as I've never owned one...but I'm always game for playing with a more powerful vw engine.
The TDIClub community has the best online support for TDI mods for this as simple as air filters to as complicated as piston upgrades or engine swaps. Fred's TDI Page. TDIClub.com. VW TDI Enthusiast Community
#20
10-21-2009, 02:53 PM
I'd like to get some more useful info posted on this forum so we don't have to keep redirecting to another forum to learn something. Fortunately there are several really knowledgeable VW guys on here!
We straight piped the '03 Jetta and it sounds GOOD now, it's not very noticeable inside, either so that's kinda nice for commuting. We'll see what he gets for mileage since the exhaust is opened up, I've heard it doesn't make a whole lot of difference.
After driving that and having been rained on a few times while riding my bike, I'm ready to start looking for a TDI Golf, I think I can only afford the '00-03 range, the newer ones seem to be out of my league.
We straight piped the '03 Jetta and it sounds GOOD now, it's not very noticeable inside, either so that's kinda nice for commuting. We'll see what he gets for mileage since the exhaust is opened up, I've heard it doesn't make a whole lot of difference.
After driving that and having been rained on a few times while riding my bike, I'm ready to start looking for a TDI Golf, I think I can only afford the '00-03 range, the newer ones seem to be out of my league.
