TDi service

[G2232]

Now im propably going to make my self look really dumb now but here goes

Im going to do a service on my GTTDI golf i picked up recently as its over due
but this is the first diesel i've ever owned (or worked on)
so my question is .....

Is there anything diferent i need to do compared to servicing a petrol??

 

[Viking]

Don't buy any spark plugs. I know it sounds daft, but on TDI club a noob signed up and asked how to change the spark plugs on his TDI as he couldn't find them. He knew nothing about diesels, and the parts guy at the store sold him a set of plugs along with the oil, oil filter, air filter etc.

After that you're about the same as a petrol I think, although it's years since I serviced a petrol.

 

[G2232]

Well thats ok i do know that much lol

So is there nothing else that i should be looking to check over
for wear and tear of stuff that could need chleaning out
as its done about 87000miles but i do think it needs a cam belt change
as i cant see any reference to one being one in its service history

 

[CrispDust]

defo cambelt change!
Fuel filter change
MAF clean (carefully)

 

[cheshire cat]

take a peep at the egr valve, plenty of stuff on here to help

 

[S3 AKR]

Make sure you use the right oil too. Its fairly specific on PD's.

 

[Jim H]

As mentioned above, make sure you get the right oil if yours is a PD engine. VW 505.01 spec or long life stuff. There is a sticky thread on this section about it.

The engine has got spark plug like things called Glow Plugs, however there is no interval when these need changing, so change one when it fails. They should last at least 100,000 miles.

The cambelt may be called the Toothed belt in your service book, the other one (the Ribbed V-belt) is the Auxillery belt. I would imagine like most VAG diesels it should be changed every 60K miles or 4 years. I would also get the water pump changed as it can fail and you have to remove that belt to change it.

 

[asthpsw]

I've just noticed on a service "plan" there is some "Water Seperator" that needs draining every 10,000miles.....................I've had the car since 40,000miles & now 82,000+ miles & nowhere can I see this "draining" having been done..................does anyone know what this refers to & where I might find it to enable me to drain it.

In that time I have had a new fuel filter fitted.


Paul

 

[cheshire cat]

it's asmall tap on the bottom of the filter, not convenient I think they all have them

 

[asthpsw]

OK Thanks, I'll have a look when it stops raining !!! This isn't under pressure or anything is it ? (ie as a result of the fuel pump from the tank or recirculation of the Diesel from the engine ?
Is it just open the tap & close it after water stops draining ?........nothing else to be done ?

Paul

 

[Muttley]

This is a screw tap on the bottom of the fuel filter.

Take off the spring clip (don't lose it) and remove the valve from the filter, leaving it connected to the fuel return pipes (don't lose the o-ring underneath it). This lets air in to the top of the filter.

Loosen the screw on the bottom of the filter and let about 100 cc of fluid out. Treble-jointed fingers will help. Any water should come out first, diesel is lighter than water.

Tighten up the screw. Top up the filter with diesel if you can. Replace the o-ring, valve and clip.

The valve in the return line allows hot fuel returned from the engine to mix with cold fuel from the tank when the outside temperature is low.

 

[Ultra_Joel88]

I just replaced the fuel filter on my fabia vrs I found it difficult to start might be worth filling it up with diesel first.

didnt replace any o-ring though? would it have come with my new (genuine) filter already?

how often does the filter itself need replacing?

 

[cheshire cat]

nearer to 20K than SEAT's 40 "prevents night starvation"