5 ms·

I wanted a diesel vechicle, but heard a long time ago, probally a myth, that small diesel engines don't last very long. It never made sence though because we a

I wanted a diesel vechicle, but heard a long time ago, probally a myth, that small diesel engines don't last very long. It never made sence though because we all know large diesel engines last a long time. They are not marketed here. It's hit or miss on finding a gas station that has diesel, but that has definetly changed over the years. Actually, if I could put 300,000 to 500,000 miles on a small diesel engine, I would buy one. Twenty years ago I would be happy if a vechicle lasted 100,000 miles. I had a Toyota with a 22r engine that spoiled me; I now expect all vechicles to easily last over 250,000 with nothing but oil changes, and new brakes.

vetinari 11y ago
Modern small diesel engines will last a long time, provided you adjust your driving style and habits. There's awfuly many things, that can go wrong, if you don't consider how the engine works - i.e. your turbocharger, DFP, double-mass flywheel - they are subject to physics and you must know, what you can do with the car and what you can't do, to maximize their lifetime.
- xj9 11y ago
  Do you have any specific advice? I have a small turbodiesel whose life I'd like to maximize.
  - gambiting 11y ago
    Turbocharger - don't turn the engine off immediately after stopping, leave it running for a few seconds so the turbo has time to cool off. After starting, don't rev past 2k RPM until the engine oil had time to get into the turbine so it's not running dry(so not for a few minutes). DPF - don't drive in the city :P if you do, take the car out on the motorway every few weeks at least and maintain speed above 50mph so the car can burn out the soot in the filter. Double mass flywheel - well, it's designed to absorb the "shock" of attaching the clutch too early. So if you're driving a manual, be gentle with the clutch and your flywheel will serve you well. If you rev your engine and just release the clutch the flywheel will have to absorb a huge amount of force - it's designed to do that so it shouldn't be too harmful, but do it enough times and it will split and have to be replaced.
  - fnordfnordfnord 11y ago
    Drive it like you just stole it. Change the oil every now and then, and keep a clean air filter in it. If it is a TDI or Mercedes, expect to have to pull the intake plenum every 100k miles or so and clean the gunk out of it. Edit: PS Also, do the timing belt maintenance if/when applicable PPS: R&R the glow plugs every 50k or so. You may even be able to re-install the old ones (test them first). This is mainly to prevent them from becoming seized to the head, necessitating an expensive repair.
  - vetinari 11y ago
    gambiting has the right advice. I would just add, that: - the few seconds to cool down the turbo is about 30 to 60. Depending on the ride you just had. Just listen half a song more on your stereo ;) - DPF needs cleaning every cca 700 km (but really depends on multiple factors). You either have a control light, that will let you know, or you notice a sudden fall in distance-to-empty, because that fuel is being used to burn out the filter ;) Basically, even if something breaks there, it is still possible to repair it. However, it can be expensive (1000+ EUR for DPF or turbo, again, depends on the car).
mikestew 11y ago
20-30 years ago when I was a professional auto mechanic, I would routinely see diesel VW Rabbits that had 250K miles on the clock. Sadly, the POS VW diesel that I bought didn't last nearly that long. What a steaming pile that thing was. So YMMV.

vetinari 11y ago

Modern small diesel engines will last a long time, provided you adjust your driving style and habits. There's awfuly many things, that can go wrong, if you don't consider how the engine works - i.e. your turbocharger, DFP, double-mass flywheel - they are subject to physics and you must know, what you can do with the car and what you can't do, to maximize their lifetime.

xj9 11y ago
Do you have any specific advice? I have a small turbodiesel whose life I'd like to maximize.
- gambiting 11y ago
  Turbocharger - don't turn the engine off immediately after stopping, leave it running for a few seconds so the turbo has time to cool off. After starting, don't rev past 2k RPM until the engine oil had time to get into the turbine so it's not running dry(so not for a few minutes). DPF - don't drive in the city :P if you do, take the car out on the motorway every few weeks at least and maintain speed above 50mph so the car can burn out the soot in the filter. Double mass flywheel - well, it's designed to absorb the "shock" of attaching the clutch too early. So if you're driving a manual, be gentle with the clutch and your flywheel will serve you well. If you rev your engine and just release the clutch the flywheel will have to absorb a huge amount of force - it's designed to do that so it shouldn't be too harmful, but do it enough times and it will split and have to be replaced.
- fnordfnordfnord 11y ago
  Drive it like you just stole it. Change the oil every now and then, and keep a clean air filter in it. If it is a TDI or Mercedes, expect to have to pull the intake plenum every 100k miles or so and clean the gunk out of it. Edit: PS Also, do the timing belt maintenance if/when applicable PPS: R&R the glow plugs every 50k or so. You may even be able to re-install the old ones (test them first). This is mainly to prevent them from becoming seized to the head, necessitating an expensive repair.
- vetinari 11y ago
  gambiting has the right advice. I would just add, that: - the few seconds to cool down the turbo is about 30 to 60. Depending on the ride you just had. Just listen half a song more on your stereo ;) - DPF needs cleaning every cca 700 km (but really depends on multiple factors). You either have a control light, that will let you know, or you notice a sudden fall in distance-to-empty, because that fuel is being used to burn out the filter ;) Basically, even if something breaks there, it is still possible to repair it. However, it can be expensive (1000+ EUR for DPF or turbo, again, depends on the car).

mikestew 11y ago

20-30 years ago when I was a professional auto mechanic, I would routinely see diesel VW Rabbits that had 250K miles on the clock. Sadly, the POS VW diesel that I bought didn't last nearly that long. What a steaming pile that thing was. So YMMV.