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Not had a diesel before
Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2023 11:48 am
by Murmansk
I've just bought a Caddy with a 1.6 TDI diesel engine, having not had a diesel engine before I'm wondering how they differ from petrol.
One thing I've noticed is that if I'm driving slowly for example through a car park and I put it into second gear, even before I've applied any "gas" it'll be pulling quite strongly whereas a petrol car would be coming close to stalling in my experience.
Can anyone comment on what kind of revs a diesel engine like this will be producing maximum power - I've found it'll cruise happily in 5th at 60mph on just less than 2000 RPM
Re: Not had a diesel before
Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2023 1:14 pm
by Skully
Welcome to the TDi dark side.
As you know, the "T" stands for turbo, and with literally any turbo diesel can start producing boost (boost equals instant torque) from stupid low revs, non of this turbo lag business as will most petrol turbo engines.
Because of very heavy engine internals, diesels do not rev as high as petrol equivalents.
Your 1.6 TDI will be making maximum torque between 1500rpm and 2500rpm, and maximum power at 4400rpm, according to specs found by Uncle Google.
Re: Not had a diesel before
Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2023 4:22 pm
by PeterAFox
Also, they need less fuel per mile than Petrol cars :-)
Many people say that you should occasionally drive it at over 3000 rpm for a good stretch to warm everything up properly and burn out the crap.
Re: Not had a diesel before
Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2023 6:02 pm
by Murmansk
Thanks for those replies, very interesting
Re: Not had a diesel before
Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2023 8:06 pm
by the swan fiend
Welcome to the forum!
Good practice is to make sure you give a diesel a decent run every so often, short journeys will not allow the engine to get up to a temperature high enough to allow DPF regeneration.
30 mins at 60+ mph once a fortnight should do it.
Also, don’t be alarmed by the black oil, diesel engine oil goes black within about 500 miles of a change.
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Re: Not had a diesel before
Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2023 2:22 pm
by Letsmile
I’ve also just purchased a, new to me, caddy finally.
It’s a 2017 2.0 TDI Maxi 2017. I was trying to find what the best type of oil is to use, so would much appreciate it if you can advise.
I was also trying to find a good workshop manual and parts catalogue - if you or anyone else can help that would be very much appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Re: Not had a diesel before
Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2023 4:50 pm
by Scoobysrt
It must be specific oil made for you vw engine, it needs to be low ash producing.
Order it based on your number plate to make sure it's the right stuff.
Workshop manuals differ depending on model and month, you can download the specific parts you need from erwin based on your vin number.
Re: Not had a diesel before
Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2023 9:48 am
by Letsmile
Thanks alot - just taken a look on the erwin site and saw a myriad of options to buy based on time limits, so need to decide how long after I see how many pages. Thanks again - much appreciated
Re: Not had a diesel before
Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2023 10:56 pm
by Lilith
Also a newbie to diesel here. I was told it requires 5-10 mins warming up in the morning before driving. Is this about right?
Re: Not had a diesel before
Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2023 1:10 am
by Doc
Sounds like a made up suggestion as there's nothing in the manual for that.
I've had a diesel Golf GT in Canada at -40°C and never left it idling for a significant amount of time before driving. If anything, you'll cause more wear as modern diesel engines take forever to warm up if left at idle.
Re: Not had a diesel before
Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2023 1:12 pm
by Lilith
Yeah, it was an emergency assist guy who also told me my engine was making ticking noises. Took it into my mechanic fearing the worst and he couldn’t hear anything except normal diesel noises. I’m wondering if I actually really did need to replace my battery after all this incorrect advice!
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Re: Not had a diesel before
Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2023 10:41 pm
by adeybroth
Lilith wrote:Also a newbie to diesel here. I was told it requires 5-10 mins warming up in the morning before driving. Is this about right?
It takes 5 - 10 mins to get warm inside

I’ve had diesels most of my driving life and the caddy is by far the slowest to get toasty inside.
Modern diesels are fine to drive away from the get go, like any engine just don’t rag it till it’s warmed up as that causes more wear and tear.
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Re: Not had a diesel before
Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2023 10:43 pm
by Lilith
I’m in Australia so it’s more the opposite! Takes 5-10 mins for it not be a burning furnace inside

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Re: Not had a diesel before
Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2023 7:10 pm
by 300396
Only ever warmed a engine up before driving off is in winter to defrost the screens enough to drive off safely years ago in a Ford handbook it recommended do drive off as soon as engine is started saying it improved fuel economy.
Re: Not had a diesel before
Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2023 1:46 pm
by PeterAFox
I read somewhere in the VW literature that one should let it run for about a minute before revving / driving it - this is to make sure the oil is flowing through the turbo well before it gets hot - especially with newer models.
I reckon there's no definitive answer....