ARL PD Engine - Why do they eat cams?

[mentalmechanic]

Hi all. Had my FR TDI for a month or so. Done 3K miles no probs, car done 62K. Heard slight tappet rattle tonight. Although a few I test drove, before I bought one, sounded a bit tappety until it was warm. Mine hasnt made any tappet noise really until tonight. And it was only slight and only about 70 degs on the gauge.

It was registered in Jan 2006, last of the MK1's on a 55 plate.

I know about the cam issue on PD lumps. Does anyone know why the 150 ARL seems to suffer more than the other engines with cam wear?

And I've also read somewhere that VAG started putting hardened lifters in at some point?

AND......should I be concerned at a little tappet noise yet? The car runs fine still.

Cheers.

 

[techie]

They fecked up from what I recall and a batch of the tappets werent hardened, this let to them wearing out and taking the cam with it.

 

[andycupra]

is it definately the engine making the sound and not something else in the engine bay....

 

[Cupra Ross]

Its not just the ARL, ASZ has similar problems but only up to about 2004.5 IIRC. They're not immune to issues just because they've had PD oil all their lives, I have a friend with a Bora Sport PD TDi 150. He bought it at 70k miles and it had been serviced with the correct oil (receipts to prove) from new and at less than the specified interval. 3 weeks later, it cost him over £1300 for a new camshaft.

 

[mentalmechanic]

Yes it was definitely a lifter making the noise. I'm a mechanic by trade although mainly Vauxhall. Drove it to work this morning and the noise had gone.

That was mainly my query to be honest, if they can have a sticky lifter every now and then, because I am wary of the cam issue. People say about the dreaded ARL engine eating cams but I can't see why they should do more than the lesser powered PD's unless they are made with different parts or something.

I know I could have a look and take the cam cover off but just want to get to know the engines traits really.

Cracking car though and really impressed with fuel cons when not caning it!

 

[oldman]

this has been very well discussed in the tdi section
pointed to the reasons as noted above and other threads on tdiclub & mkiv to have a read through.

mine is borderline june 04 and not happened yet, but lots of digits are crossed

 

[oldman]

gavin,
no idea if can check or not.

have thought about it a couple of times, but just have a feeling stealer would deny any knowledge of their every being an issue.
as kinda proven by cupra ross friend with the bora; receipts for correct oil since day 1 and still had to pay £1300. if it was accepted you'd have expected vw to assist in some towards cost.

 

[Cupra Ross]

Pete got no assistance from VW whatsoever when this happened to his. Apparently it is reasonable wear and tear as the car had over 60k miles on it. If its going to happen, it will. There's not really any point in worrying about it.

 

[oldman]

thanks for confirming cupra ross.
not nice to hear but kinda expected from vw these days.

 

[Cupra Ross]

thanks for confirming cupra ross.
not nice to hear but kinda expected from vw these days.

Its a shame, its the sole factor that stops me from buying a higher mileage PD150. Great engine otherwise though and the newer Common Rail Engines should be very reliable.

 

[mentalmechanic]

Its a shame, its the sole factor that stops me from buying a higher mileage PD150. Great engine otherwise though and the newer Common Rail Engines should be very reliable.

You say about higher mileage 150's. I've read that some people have had over 200k out of PD's with no cam issue whatsoever. But they generally are the lower output engines. But loads of people have had trouble with 150's. I know that 130/110 etc can have it also, but does anyone know why the 150 seems to suffer more than most?

Sorry to keep pushing for this but it is interesting for me, and there must be a reason for it!! If anyone finds any links it would be much appreciated as I'm not that good at searching about, it seems, as you guys sound like you are!!

Again, sorry for going on!!

 

[Cupra Ross]

You can be lucky and get a good ARL engine that will last the distance. The other PD engines aren't immune (110 is Bosch VE, not PD and as a result is not affected by this issue).

Did you miss this post?:

They fecked up from what I recall and a batch of the tappets werent hardened, this let to them wearing out and taking the cam with it.

 

[mentalmechanic]

110 is Bosch VE, not PD

Sorry yes, I meant 115 PD.

Did you miss this post?:

No I did see that post!

Like I said though in my first post, I thought VAG started whacking in hardened lifters at some point and didnt know if there was a cutoff date as to when that was maybe?

 

[jonjay]

Its not just the ARL, ASZ has similar problems but only up to about 2004.5 IIRC.

Yup this is correct, anything after seems to be fine.

 

[Cupra Ross]

I think if VW know themselves, they won't tell you mate. As far as they are concerned, there is no issue so there was never any upgrade to alleviate any "problems".

Yup this is correct, anything after seems to be fine.

Thanks mate, good to have confirmation.

 

[mentalmechanic]

Ok well thanks for your help everyone. Nice to hear from people that know their stuff!

Cheers

 

[oldman]

knew this had been discussed in length in tdi section so went a hunting:
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=253132

 

[oldman]

as that's only way to check i'm going to suck it and see
on 98k and no issues will keep hoping alls good

 

[Andrewcupra TDI]

just ressurected that thread , as mines now acting more strangley ?

 

[princess09]

Hello,
Can someone tell me does the BPX engine suffer from the same Camshaft wear as the ARL?
Thanks