How Do You Measure Turbo Diesel Engines?
When the performance of diesel-powered vehicles is made an issue, diesel engines would always be a paramount consideration. Diesel cars and trucks deliver great fuel economy. They are 20 to 30 per cent better than comparable vehicles with gasoline engines. And while today's diesels may not be impeccably-clean, they are most certainly a far cry from the noisy and smelly pollution hogs that they used to be. Turbo diesel engines, for one, are made up of sophisticated parts that are engineered to blend horsepower and torque gains for the vehicle. According to auto experts, fuel savings on a turbo diesel is so impressive that owners make up the extra cost of the engine in just a few years. Tony Fouladpour, a spokesman for Volkswagen of America. In connection with Ford, its turbo diesel engines have established supremacy in performance. Any driver who likes to zip away from a stop sign would love the automaker's diesel engine programmers' pep. Diesel programmers contribute appreciably to make vehicles great at towing.
This is the reason why "real truckers" choose diesel-powered Ford trucks. Diesel vehicles handle heavy loads a lot better than comparable gasoline vehicles. Larger, heavy-duty pickup trucks from Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, Dodge and Toyota are available with diesel engines to boost overall performance. Some aficionados are hesitant to use diesel because of its annoying noise. However, according to recent studies modern diesel engines are a lot quieter than diesels 20 years ago. Robert Larsen, director of the Center for Transportation Research at Argonne National Laboratories. Another bother about diesel engines is fueling up. Finding a neighborhood service station that sells diesel fuel may be difficult to some drivers. According to Diesel Technology Forum, only 30 per cent of neighborhood retail service stations sell diesel fuel. Hence, in purchasing diesel, it would be reasonable to consider diesel fuel availability in a particular area. Only few automakers offer diesel engine in their lineup. In fact, in the United States, there are only 3.6 per cent of diesel-powered passenger cars. The list includes the Volkswagen Golf, Jetta, Passat, Beetle, Mercedes E-320 sedan, Volkswagen Touareg and Chrysler Jeep Liberty. However, the biggest downside of diesel vehicles has to do with emissions. They are dirtier than gasoline cars and a whole lot filthier than hybrids. Larry Webster, technical editor at Car and Driver. Diesel cars emit more particulates like carbon (soot) and more oxides of nitrogen (NOx), which contribute to local smog.
More fuel is injected and combusted, so you will notice greater engine efficiency and greater power outputs, along with more torque and fewer emissions. The Volkswagen TDI engine operates on diesel fuel (petro diesel) or certain types of biodiesel fuels. The trade-off for the engine's technical prowess is that it is picky about the type of fuel it takes. In the US, VW recommends Number 2 diesel fuel which has a higher cetane number than Number 1 fuel and lower viscosity. Proper fuel right from the pump is common in Europe, but some US drivers must use additives or premium diesel to make sure that cetane levels are correct. TDI engine with regular gas instead of diesel can be a costly mistake. Some older VW models were more tolerant, but putting the incorrect fuel into a modern TDI engine will damage the fuel pump and ruin the engine when the fuel passes through the fuel system.
That system in 2013 vehicles have been redesigned with a fuel tank gate to prevent you from inserting a gasoline nozzle rather than a diesel nozzle into the tank. 8,000 to replace the entire fuel system. Most of these repairs are not under warranty. What Can You Diagnose Yourself? Your local VW dealer has a great service department that can keep your TDI engine running strong. Costs for regular maintenance run about the same as professional service for a gas engine VW. If you hear noises, are they "normal" to your TDI engine? Most drivers notice clicking in the steering column, clicking from pressure control and AGR valves, and a swishing noise from the shoulder valve when turning off the engine. These noises indicate proper performance, not a problem, but as a new TDI owner you need to learn what to disregard and what to pay attention to. Does the engine fail to start or is reluctant to start? While the car is in neutral, turn the ignition to the run position to see if you get a check engine warning or glow plug lights. If not, you may need a new battery as the engine is getting no power.
Does the engine crank? If you see check engine or glow plug lights on the dashboard, but the car is noisy as it tries to start, you may have low fuel, corroded wires leading to the battery, or loose connections. Do you get a "relay 109" failure? If your check engine light or glow plug comes on and off, you may have a relay 109 failure that calls for replacing the relay. If that doesn't work? You might have a faulty ignition switch or security system. You might also see the glow plug light if you have a burned out brake light. Does your engine smoke when it's fully accelerated after a fill-up? You may have gotten a tank of low-quality fuel. A Volkswagen TDI engine offers the best in performance and efficiency, but they are particular engines that require very specific maintenance and repairs. Always remember to replace defective parts with genuine Volkswagen replacement parts, or choose your local VW service department for professional service from certified, experienced mechanics.
