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Any VAG PD : non-PD specific oil in a PD - drivewell
If you ran a PD engine on regular oil( say 505.0 spec) instead of 505.1, what would be the outcome? I'm not suggesting just one oil change, but over 50K - 100K miles.

What would wear, and what would be the repair / rebuild costs?

NB. I'm not thinking of doing this, I'm just wondering about the implications for a high mileage PD engine that has been regularly (but not dealer) serviced. Hence uncertainty as to whether a PD-specific oil was used.

Interested in your comments.

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 06/05/2008 at 11:14

05 1.9 Any VAG PD : non-PD specific oil in a PD - Peter D
Possible excess PD camshaft wear. Check www.ew2.lubesinfo.com/frameset.asp?sid=156&bid=63&...1 with exact year, model and engine. Regards Peter
05 1.9 Any VAG PD : non-PD specific oil in a PD - Hamsafar
Yes camshaft/valvegear wear, the unit injectors take up space which leaves little room for cam lobes for the valves, so they are as thin as a pencil and so very prone to scuffing and scarring. It's impossible to say what would happen, as the oil used may only just below the 505.01 standard, or way below it, or may even meet or exceed it but not have paid for approval testing. The proper oil has additional additives such as zinc-dialkyldithiophosphate which prevent the metal rubbing metal.
05 1.9 Any VAG PD : non-PD specific oil in a PD - 659FBE
The likely outcome would be excessive camshaft and follower wear. Paradoxically, VAG played safe with the unit injector cams and their roller followers at the expense of the inlet and exhaust valve cams which are consequently very narrow.

The valve cams seem to be the ones most affected and the hydraulic followers can be worn right through with consequent major engine damage.

The results using a 505.00 oil are likely to be variable, depending on what oil you use. If you use a lubricant at the boundaries of its capabilities, it's hard to predict the outcome. Please don't abbreviate VAG oil specs - they're confusing enough as it is. The latest PD oil for long life use (also suits engines with DPF) is 507.00.

This is not an experiment I would advise.

659.
05 1.9 Any VAG PD : non-PD specific oil in a PD - 659FBE
Two simultaneous posts - with good agreement!

659.