Running in a diesel engine

[gregozedobe]

One thing I'm unclear on, is how do you know the engine is warm (Caddy manuals have no temp gauage ). Even on a full cold start, revs do not change

Not having a temperature guage makes it difficult. If it is a TDI engine I would guess (not know) that you could work on 5 minutes of normal driving in summer, and 10 minutes in winter (a bit less if it is working harder). A petrol engine would neeed a bit less time to be properly warmed up.

Idle revs are electronically controlled, the only time they should vary is when the DPF is being regenerated.

[swingn]

Not having a temperature guage makes it difficult. If it is a TDI engine I would guess (not know) that you could work on 5 minutes of normal driving in summer, and 10 minutes in winter (a bit less if it is working harder). A petrol engine would neeed a bit less time to be properly warmed up.

Idle revs are electronically controlled, the only time they should vary is when the DPF is being regenerated.

Thanks for that mate!

Spaces me out that the manual Caddy TDI doesn't come with a temp gauage... Pretty sure the DSG model does though

[freebo]

hey guys, Do you still need to do this with new TDI as I'm getting a gold TDI and want to know what to do ?

thanks

[bluey]

I understand all diesel engines gradually improve their compression pressure over 20,000km+. Factory run-in procedure is designed to be good enough given they can't run in an engine on the dyno that long. Engines appear to benefit from higher ring loadings when running in and there is no harm and potential benefit from following guidelines suggested elsewhere - I like the TDI club post I referred to earlier in this thread.

[oracle1]

Lycoming run in schedule

the lycoming flat four aircraft engine produces 150-200 hp at aprrox 2600 rpm. In the run in manual it specifically states that any engine burning large amounts of oil after the break in period because it has glazed bores due to running an engine BELOW the recommended power settings 75 to 100 percent duty cycle will not have its warranty claim accepted especially in Rotary Wing aircraft subjected to long periods of hover at inappropriate power settings. Seen it happen 3 times to 50,000 dollar overhauled engines. Lesson don' t go stupid but make that baby work.

[oracle1]

There is Science involved/ dont use this on a diesel

Volkswagen would have something like this on an initial dyno break in0

[gregozedobe]

VWA don't like early oil changes on new VWs

See this thread in the Fuels and Lubrication subforum

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?p=410962#post410962

[Zano]

What about Read the F..... manual (RTFM)!

I am a newbie with a new TDi and running-in did cross my mind, with only 160km on the odometer. I have read these forums extensively and there are opinions ranging from it is already run in so drive as normal, to just warm it up and flog it or run it hard etc.

One thing that is worth mentioning that hasn't been so far (that I could find) is what the vehicle manual says on "Running-in". Here it is verbatim...

MY09 Golf TDI 2.0 DSG
Manual 3.2, pg 53
The engine needs to be run in during the first 1500km.
Up to 1000km:

• Do not drive faster than three quarters of top speed.
• Do not use full throttle
• Avoid high engine speeds
• Do not tow a trailer

1000-1500km:
Speeds can be gradually increased to the maximum road speed or engine speed (rpm)
If the engine is run in gently, the life of the engine will be increased and its oil consumption reduced.

VW's recommendation is gentler than some of the advice I have read, in particular "Do not use full throttle", for the first 1000km.

But I find VW's Runnning-in paragraph above rather simplistic and only considers the run in period up to 1500km, whereas many other posts talk about running in for tens of thousands of km's.

[bluey]

[...]

• Do not drive faster than three quarters of top speed.
• Do not use full throttle
• Avoid high engine speeds
• Do not tow a trailer

I assume that VW's recommendations are the same as provided for Germany and other places with unlimited speed limits (Northern Territory). I also assume that the VW official running in procedure has to be simple enough for anyone to comprehend.

I don't anticipate ever seeing 3/4 top speed.
My foot isn't heavy enough to use full throttle.
Diesel torque peak is low so there's no point in using high engine speeds except on autobahns.
I presume part of it is running in the turbo as well as the engine.

I think one can happily follow the more detailed recommendations about running in without exceeding the constraints mentioned in the manual.

And don't forget to use high cetane diesel (per VW specification) or a cetane improving additive.