Scan Guage results of recent trip.

[winchmeup]

I have just fitted a scanguage to my T5.
It is an awsome tool. Easy to fit, cheap for so many guages in one and easy to use.

So results from recent trip towing a pop top caravan to melbourne.
By using the guage showing L/100km i was able to maximise the efficiency by changing up a gear where i wouldn't have in the past.
Max manifold pressure was 36.5psi on full load and showed that at cruise it would still have 30 odd psi most of the time. Quite surprising!
Also intake air temp would sit at 46 deg C at cruise, 55 on acceleration but go as high as 70 on full load.
Avg l/100 km was 16.5 towing the van.

So now i am thinking that due to how much boost is there most of the time i might fit a larger intercooler or a water spray setup.

[Lucas_R]

Damn those diesels love their boost don't they. I have a similar gauge in my Golf R which can show water temp/inlet air temp/boost/real speed/ignition timing/exhaust gas temp etc etc. Very cool and handy little device.

A water injection setup would be much more beneficial than an upgraded/larger intercooler, but obviously requires the owner to keep the water reservoir topped up when needed, and any maintenance that might be needed on the water jets/electric pump.

A water injection system will drop your temps by 30c or so immediately, where as a new intercooler might take off 5-10c. The only thing to keep in mind with water injection on modern engines (and im not sure exactly how diesels work in this scenario...so excuse me if this doesn't apply) but the electrics in the electronic throttle body on petrol engines have been known to corrode/fail due to the water over time.

[winchmeup]

I had no idea water injection was so effective. I think you cant use water on diesels, not 100% sure. I have read somewhere that the high end tuners use an injection of some sort, i think it was methenol, again not sure. I will have a hunt around and see what i come up with.

Having all the information on the guage certainely helped with the boredom of a long trip. my wife was not so impressed as i was shaing the information with her.

[Lucas_R]

I had no idea water injection was so effective. I think you cant use water on diesels, not 100% sure. I have read somewhere that the high end tuners use an injection of some sort, i think it was methenol, again not sure. I will have a hunt around and see what i come up with.

There is a guy on here using water injection on a turbo diesel Golf. He is quite the diesel guru so im sure it can be done. Methanol on its own is flammable and somewhat dangerous, but mixed with water 50/50 renders it non flammable. Water on its own will have a cooling effect and help the engine from feeling sluggish on hotter days.

This is the guy i am talking about. He is a diesel nut and knows a lot about them.

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f28/let-tinkering-begin-13929.html

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f28/let-tinkering-continue-28464.html

Having all the information on the guage certainely helped with the boredom of a long trip. my wife was not so impressed as i was shaing the information with her.

I feel your pain.

[winchmeup]

I'll check out the diesel guy above, probably will need to ask him some questions. thanks

I found this explanation of what it is and how it works, Water Injection Or Intercooler - Diesel Power Magazine

definately keen to find out more as cost is between $600-$900 which is cheaper and hopefully easier than larger intercooler.