What makes VW's PD engine so good?
Discussion
Riley Blue said:
Which PD engine, there were many versions from 90 to 160bhp. The early ones, AJM engine code, weren't particularly reliable with many injector problems; enough to put me off VAG diesels having owned three previously. I think it's only the 130bhp version that had a good reputation.
Modify the range from 70 to a bit more than 160, possibly 240+ on octavia VRS. Mine( Fabia) has the 1.4 AMF (75bhp),three pot engine. It does somewhere around 50MPG. it's getting close to 115k , but for a 16 year old car that's low. annodomini2 said:
Be the front ball joints, known weak point on the B5.
Thanks for that heads up, am not sure it's ever had any replacements, will investigate, it seems to squirm from side to side on poor roads and bumps, and have not been aware of that before. As if the tyres are nearly flat (which they aren't)georgezippy said:
annodomini2 said:
Be the front ball joints, known weak point on the B5.
Thanks for that heads up, am not sure it's ever had any replacements, will investigate, it seems to squirm from side to side on poor roads and bumps, and have not been aware of that before. As if the tyres are nearly flat (which they aren't)They tended to be over tightend from the factory, not to mention the get all the crap they experience from the tyre they tend to seize and take patience to remove.
Welshbeef said:
georgezippy said:
stickleback123 said:
In related news, my washing machine is still washing clothes and making an unpleasant noise while it does it.
And that's electric aswell.
ker weighs 90KG so it should be.In more related news my brother recently acquired a 2007 Passat estate with the 1.9 PD engine and his wife, who has never driven a diesel before, thought it was broken and describe it as being "like driving gravel". She'd better get used to it because the thing will probably live to see half a million miles if he looks after it
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 10th November 10:36
stickleback123 said:
I was saying it for comic effect. It's actually very quiet and smooth, the fker weighs 90KG so it should be.
In more related news my brother recently acquired a 2007 Passat estate with the 1.9 PD engine and his wife, who has never driven a diesel before, thought it was broken and describe it as being "like driving gravel". She'd better get used to it because the thing will probably live to see half a million miles if he looks after it
20 odd years ago my grandad said the same thing - brand new car just delivered so he sat in the drivers seat and gave it a Rev.... sounds really bad. ker weighs 90KG so it should be.In more related news my brother recently acquired a 2007 Passat estate with the 1.9 PD engine and his wife, who has never driven a diesel before, thought it was broken and describe it as being "like driving gravel". She'd better get used to it because the thing will probably live to see half a million miles if he looks after it
Edited by stickleback123 on Tuesday 10th November 10:36
He drove a Mini Cooper (original and bought from new so was what 30 years old by then and still worked well)
I've just got my second PD engined vehicle. This time I've rolled the dice on the supposedly "unreliable" 2.0 version in a leggy 2005 A3 TDI. 136k on it with a decent service history, and a recent cambelt and water pump.
Despite another 100cc, an extra camshaft, 8 extra valves and another 10PS, to me it drives (and sounds) exactly the same as my old 1.9 130. Really muscular feeling above 1800 RPM and below 3500 RPM, with the level of unhappiness tapering either side of that. If a 2005 A3 was a sports car it would be annoying, but it isn't so it's not. Lazy engine suits a lazy car.
Also ridiculously frugal. We've just moved house, so it's spent a lot of time doing short runs, well laden, included probably half a dozen tip runs which involve a short journey through a town, with a queue at the other end. Despite this, I've had 48 mpg (measured) from the first tankful.
Despite another 100cc, an extra camshaft, 8 extra valves and another 10PS, to me it drives (and sounds) exactly the same as my old 1.9 130. Really muscular feeling above 1800 RPM and below 3500 RPM, with the level of unhappiness tapering either side of that. If a 2005 A3 was a sports car it would be annoying, but it isn't so it's not. Lazy engine suits a lazy car.
Also ridiculously frugal. We've just moved house, so it's spent a lot of time doing short runs, well laden, included probably half a dozen tip runs which involve a short journey through a town, with a queue at the other end. Despite this, I've had 48 mpg (measured) from the first tankful.
S6PNJ said:
Limpet said:
.... leggy.....136k
Bought my 1.9 PD130 at 156k and it's now on 205k - and I'm not even sure that mine is overly 'leggy'. Mostly it was to counter the various comments I've had from all sorts of knowledgeable folks who claim that the 2.0 PD engine will explode into a billion pieces and kill me, that all VAG stuff is overrated s**t, and that I'll have plenty of time to admire the worn out switchgear while I'm waiting for the recovery truck, that I should have bought a Japanese appliance, and that all cars are worn out at 100,000 miles.
Had the chance to buy my old PD 130 Golf back last year with 200,000 miles and still running fine, without a single MOT failure or serious advisory to its name. Unfortunately, I had no use for it at the time.
bobski1 said:
95k up to 253k so far, barely broken in
And therein lies the problem (if you can call it that).On a mere 172k I suspect I'll have the bloody thing for ages, yet could do with a slightly bigger estate, the A4 is not the most roomy but I just can't part with a reliable valueless shed that has a history well known to me.
georgezippy said:
And therein lies the problem (if you can call it that).
On a mere 172k I suspect I'll have the bloody thing for ages, yet could do with a slightly bigger estate, the A4 is not the most roomy but I just can't part with a reliable valueless shed that has a history well known to me.
Once that bond is forged it cannot be broken. The bond is only known by those who've experienced a PD.On a mere 172k I suspect I'll have the bloody thing for ages, yet could do with a slightly bigger estate, the A4 is not the most roomy but I just can't part with a reliable valueless shed that has a history well known to me.
I think I'll need a bigger car eventually but I'd never let mine go now
Welshbeef said:
Wasn’t the PD vastly more thermodynamically superior to common rail.
In the market back then it was Common rail or VAG PD. Betamax v VHS - IMHO the inferior won again.
Common rail has a number of advantages, not least that the injectors are supplied by a constantly pressurised fuel rail, meaning they have a much bigger operating window than a unit injector that is pressurised by a single cam lobe, and therefore only has operating pressure in a relatively small window. The possibilities for injection timing and the level of control afforded over it are significantly greater with a common rail design, and the drive for lower emissions meant that fuelling control was everything, and therefore common rail was the way forward.In the market back then it was Common rail or VAG PD. Betamax v VHS - IMHO the inferior won again.
The PD scores through simplicity (no separate high pressure injection pump), and of course having the high lubrication demands involved when pressurising fuel to such a high level borne by the engine oil (a known quantity assuming correct/timely servicing) rather than by the fuel itself (potentially much more variable in terms of quality and contamination).
One of the mistakes I think VAG made on the latter is quoting an engineering spec for the oil. The average punter is neither going to know or care about the meaning of "505.01" or "507.00". The name should have been something far more logical and meaningful to someone with no interest in engines or oil (the majority of people)
I have a couple of diesels in the house
1) a 177k 1.9 PD130 in Golf that runs really well. No different to the PD130 I had many years ago with 100k less.
2) cr170 SEAT Exeo. Put 80k on it and it's nothing but a pleasure to own.
The PD130 feels exceptionally good for the miles. I liked it so much that I refreshed the suspension and bushes but still feels the same to be fair.
1) a 177k 1.9 PD130 in Golf that runs really well. No different to the PD130 I had many years ago with 100k less.
2) cr170 SEAT Exeo. Put 80k on it and it's nothing but a pleasure to own.
The PD130 feels exceptionally good for the miles. I liked it so much that I refreshed the suspension and bushes but still feels the same to be fair.
Ahh, big sigh. Now I quite like the PD engine. Not entirely as trouble free as people say it is, but not too bad. It's just such a shame they put it in VAG group stuff.
You know, the ones with the complex electrics, and the indecipherable limp mode, and the rusty wings, and the broken door wiring and the locks that fail, and the cabins that leak, and the cars that are overpriced in the first place.
The place you guys might have a spiritual home is with a Volvo D5 Euro 3. Bigger power band than the PD, more cylinders, so smoother, and just more robust overall. Oh, and did I mention more fuel efficient, and in a nicer package overall?
Or if you don't fancy that D5, and want something a bit older and simpler, how about the old 2.0 HDi XUD derivative. Makes the PD engine look like a long life 2 stroke......
Having lighted the touch paper, I will now retire to watch some fireworks......
You know, the ones with the complex electrics, and the indecipherable limp mode, and the rusty wings, and the broken door wiring and the locks that fail, and the cabins that leak, and the cars that are overpriced in the first place.
The place you guys might have a spiritual home is with a Volvo D5 Euro 3. Bigger power band than the PD, more cylinders, so smoother, and just more robust overall. Oh, and did I mention more fuel efficient, and in a nicer package overall?
Or if you don't fancy that D5, and want something a bit older and simpler, how about the old 2.0 HDi XUD derivative. Makes the PD engine look like a long life 2 stroke......
Having lighted the touch paper, I will now retire to watch some fireworks......
To be fair you've raised a good point there. D5 euro 3 would make a lovely car in comparison to the VW offerings (said from a VW fan with 2x corrados, mk2 gti, mk4 and Seat Exeo).
Rusty wings would be solved if owners removed the foam insultation behind the arch liner. That said my 177k example still had the foam but not rust odd. Locks have all failed and the rears were a pain to replace. Touch wood haven't had any other issue but I believe a Volvo would be a superior car.
Rusty wings would be solved if owners removed the foam insultation behind the arch liner. That said my 177k example still had the foam but not rust odd. Locks have all failed and the rears were a pain to replace. Touch wood haven't had any other issue but I believe a Volvo would be a superior car.
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