Just picked up my first diesel.

[spdrace11]

Well just picked up my first diesel a 91 VW Jetta coupe.  The car is growing on my fast even though its the slowest thing on the road.  But hey i bought it for looks and fuel economy.  It has a 217k on it with a 5speed.  From what i found out its a pretty rare car.  Also I learned the hard way that the fuel gauge is off but i wont be making that mistake again.. .  Just a couple of questions.  I have been getting 38-43 mpg is and was wondering what i could do to get more mpg.  Also i need to change the oil and my buddy said to use Rota and not to use synthetic but i was thinking of using REDLINE oil. 

Here are some pics.

[clbanman]

Definitely use a quality diesel (C) synthetic oil.  I would also used synthetic in the trans.  Mileage looks a little low - depends on what trans gearing you have.   -Air pressure in tires up to max rating.  -Make sure air cleaner is clean.  -Don't rev it like a gasser, if you're used to a gasser you need to think you're lugging it to get max mileage.  -I found that Power Service additive was good for about 2-3 MPG.  -Make sure there are no fuel leaks.

[jtanguay]

x2 on the synthetic oil.  most synthetics have special anti friction additives that increase hp.

[macka]

You don't need to dole out the cabbage for redline, get online and look for ELF or Mobil1 that has the 504 VW rating

[Dakotakid]

Ya, I'd say THAT was a pretty good find. Someone had a garage, eh?
Flipped ooooot. I just noticed the right hand driver. Where did this car come from?

[cyrus #1]

I just noticed the right hand driver. Where did this car come from?

That's the first thing I noticed too.  I'm pretty sure the picture is just mirrored.  It's not RHD in the other pics.

[spdrace11]

^^^

Sorry guys i forgot i swapped that pic

Yes the that is correct the car is left hand drive.

Well the only reason i'm contemplating using Redline is that i get a discount on the motor oil.  So i should use synthetic.  My friend, who is a diesel mechanic is hell bent on me not using it.  He says that its a waste of money and that diesels are "dirty oil burners" by nature and that the synthetic oil will just start to leak out of the the old warn gaskets.

[Golf/Jetta]

if it leaks bad with dino then the seals are crap, don't put synth.
if it leaks with synth oil and not with dino, then the seals are starting to go.

check your seals if its leaking b4 dumping in synth.
crank, cam and inter shaft are a primary concern (T-belt Side) don't wanna blow a T-belt
crank (tranny side) CLUTCH

could give it a try out if it doesn't leak. just get ready for the worst

[spdrace11]

if it leaks bad with dino then the seals are crap, don't put synth.
if it leaks with synth oil and not with dino, then the seals are starting to go.

check your seals if its leaking b4 dumping in synth.
crank, cam and inter shaft are a primary concern (T-belt Side) don't wanna blow a T-belt
crank (tranny side) CLUTCH

could give it a try out if it doesn't leak. just get ready for the worst

It does leak a couple of drops.  I think its coming from the oil pan.

[Golf/Jetta]

then it will leak more from there. hate to see a good driveway go to waste
also, i would wait a bit and see how much oil it burns before putting in synth. (piston rings, valve seals <---just don't know how these seals are doing with out ripping the head off)
were talking about a car thats never seen synth before. or has it¿?

lets test it out
take a sample oil from the car, dino oil, and synth oil. take a torch to each oil and observe how it burns. a pair should match
dino flash point is less then synth.

also noticed
this is a n/a diesel with a turbo IP¿?
and the v-belt is ridding a bit in the alternater pulley

what tranny does it have?
ACH (highway) or AWY (city) (bottom bell housing)
my 92 Jetta n/a had a AWY tranny and got 750+km out of it.
that’s 466+ miles (didn't want to run out of fuel)

there also a guy called hagar who was able to get his rabbit to 100 MPG imperial gallon
mind the rabbit is lighter and he lives in BC
which doesn't help if he's calculating down hill
his thread is here http://www.vwdieselparts.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4868
its really a long story on how he did it
I ended up stopping at pages 50 and called it quits.. and its at 130 pages now
hes currently in the hospital

[jtanguay]

if you can find a synthetic 15w40 oil then go for it.  it shouldn't leak any more than a dino oil because of the viscosity.  but most synthetics are either 0w40, 5w40 or 10w40.  i've tried 5w50 in my jetta for a while and the oil consumption went down drastically, but i felt a slight power decrease.  it was minor, but even the turbo felt like it was having trouble spooling up from the thick oil.

go with lubro moly (or liqui moly now?) 15w40 oil.  the moly stuff in it is very slippery and helps reduce friction (better cold starts)

[spdrace11]

also noticed
this is a n/a diesel with a turbo IP¿?
and the v-belt is ridding a bit in the alternater pulley

what tranny does it have?
ACH (highway) or AWY (city) (bottom bell housing)
my 92 Jetta n/a had a AWY tranny and got 750+km out of it.
that’s 466+ miles (didn't want to run out of fuel)


I decided to change to oil with conventional so i could moniter the consumption.  I used Rotalla 15-40.  I checked the oil right after i changed it and it was black not clear.  Is this because its a diesel???

Wow your very observant.  The alt does need a belt its stretched as far as it can go.  Im planing on replacing all the v belts when i do the timming belt since you have to take them off anyway to replace it.

The trans is AWY....  So does that mean that it has a high ring and pinion gear?? umm??

Also found out that my right side caliber is sticking.....

[Golf/Jetta]

as for the alt. belt, i ended up getting a bit wider v-belt (so it sits on top of the pulley) then i sold the car before i got to see if it changes the alt adjusting freq. (quite often) but i know the guy that bought it. he hasn't put it on the road yet

the wiring connection would be different between the tranny's

R&P? no its the thrid, forth, fifth gear. (fifth .89 vs .75) might be able to change the fifth gear with the tranny in the car. haven't done it my-self but i heard you can do it.
heres one of the sites i goto, now and then for vw tranny codes/gear ratio's

 

[Smokey Eddy]

you have AC too! Good lord!

[Golf/Jetta]

i wonder if that inline filter will clog up first. looks its from princess auto.
do you know what microns it filters at?