Hi there,
My MkIV 03 Golf Match (100BHP TDI PD) recently started juddering at random intervals, which got worse and worse. I went to a local V.W specialist who put it on the computer and reported a problem on injector 1. To cut a long story short the wiring loom in the cylinder head was replaced, injectors were cleaned and seals were replaced, which has sorted the problem out. The engineer did mention the cylinder was worn, which has gotten me worried...
I decided to check that the oil was replaced on my last service, which it was, but from looking on lots of forums It appears the wrong oil has been used. I won't mention the companies name, but they are BIG and used Castrol GTX Magnatec.
It looks like this does meet 505.01 spec, which from also doing quite a bit of reading is what MUST be used in PD engines to prevent premature engine wear!
I am really concerned now that this service may have caused the intial problem, but I need to check with the VW specialist and also could this have caused the wear on the cylinder??
If so do you think the large company should change my oil to the correct stuff for free?
|
Magnatec is a 505.00 spec oil which is not suitable for a PD engine.
The specific oil requirement for a PD engine basically is to protect one part of the engine - the cam lobes which operate the unit injectors. These work under immense pressure, and require an oil that can maintain a suitable protective film on the lobes that is able to provide adequate lubrication in spite of these pressures. If it can't, the lobes literally grind themselves to bits, presenting two problems. One is metal filings flowing round the system until the oil filter can trap them, and the other is the lobes themselves becoming misshapen or worn down, and preventing the injectors from working properly.
Did he elaborate on what he meant by cylinder wear? Was it the injector lobe on that cylinder, or the cylinder itself (i.e. low compression or other problem)?
Cheers
DP
Edited by DP on 26/02/2008 at 23:44
|
|
|
|
I'd double check the Magnatec spec. Looks to me like it meets VW 505.00 but does not meet 505.01 and therefore should definitely not be used in PD units. Quite a lot of the big chains exclude VW diesels from their oil and filter offers presumably because their oil doesn't meet the VW spec. Certainly pursue the matter with the large company and change the oil asap for your peace of mind if nothing else. Others more qualified will comment as to whether it has any bearing on your cylinder wear issue or not.
|
Neil
You'll need to be a bit more specific about the wear comment; but the misfire sounds like the very common PD injector loom breaking down from heat and oil - and that causes no ill effects.
[I don't know what the designers were on at the time; but putting a wiring loom INSIDE an engine...?]
|
Wiring looms inside engines are common on military and special purpose diesels and generally cause little trouble. The problem with the PD is that VAG did not use military spec. wiring and connectors.
It's not a difficult or expensive fault to fix though - assuming your "dealer" can find it.
As far as the wear goes, in my experience, PDs with the wrong oil in them usually suffer gross wear on the valve cams which are very narrow - and of course their followers. The unit injector cams have roller followers and are very wide. I suspect VAG played a bit too safe with the injector cams, leaving too little width for the valve actuation cams.
Moral: Use the right oil. No help from VAG's confusing data though.
659.
|
|
|
|
