Hi all, i decided to open this thread so diesel engine owners can let us know what it entails to own a diesel engine, how to maintain it and the difference you notice between diesel engine and petrol. Also we can use this thread to find help on diesel engines and diesel engine experts can come in and assist/shed more light on using diesel engines.

i know diesel engine has few advantages over petrol in terms of
1. mpg advantage over its petrol counterpart
2. durable and last longer than a petrol variant

gurus please come in and throw more light on advantages one can derive from diesel engines that out classes their petrol counter part

i have decided to start saving for a rear classic on our road and this is the configuration i intend to get
CAR: volkswagen
MODEL: new beetle convertible
ENGINE: 1.9L TDI
HP: 104 @4000rpm
TRANSMISSION: manual
YEAR: 2006
MPG RATING: city 41/highway 61/combined 53
the major issue known to this vehicle is the electrical, which can go berserk but replacement by a reliable engineer would fix it also the plastic of the convertible top gets faulty which causes leak, replacement is cheap as researched online.

others please state the diesel car or bus you using or have used, lets know its known issues when in use etc. thanks

Wish diesel generators are welcome

20kVa lister petter

Anyway I can learn a thing or two about diesel engines. . . ride on folks

noxide:
Wish diesel generators are welcome

20kVa lister petter

Anyway I can learn a thing or two about diesel engines. . . ride on folks

You welcome bro, but I don't think gens will cut it, though they have same principle but very very different use.

Reporting for duty.
2006 Skoda octavia,
1.9 TDI with BJB series engine,
5 speed manual transmission.
Owned the car for a few months now.
Fixed a lot of the electrical gremlins bewitching it such as inoperable horn, front and rear wipers, central lock and radio.
Yet to be fixed, rear wiper motor (went kaput again), radio display (blurred probably as a result of long exposure to sun) and interior light (has defied all solutions).
Turbo sticks sometimes and causes lack of power (with plenty smoke from the exhaust )but when it does kick in, boy the car moves like a bull. Haha.
Will post pictures later.

9icetoo:
Reporting for duty.
2006 Skoda octavia,
1.9 TDI with BJB series engine,
5 speed manual transmission.
Owned the car for a few months now.
Fixed a lot of the electrical gremlins bewitching it such as inoperable horn, front and rear wipers, central lock and radio.
Yet to be fixed, rear wiper motor (went kaput again), radio display (blurred probably as a result of long exposure to sun) and interior light (has defied all solutions).
Turbo sticks sometimes and causes lack of power (with plenty smoke from the exhaust )but when it does kick in, boy the car moves like a bull. Haha.
Will post pictures later.

good to have you here as a first time diesel powered car owner to comment here. waiting for pictures

It's sad but Nigerians are so afraid of diesel engines ...
First, I could not get it why ? But then when i went to Nigeria first time and see everything on my own eyes, I get it.
The main problem is the knowledge about the cars, the try and error fixing method that kazam is doing all the time.
There is no special shops that they can diagnose bad injector or injector pump, diesel nozzle etc.
Typical for them is to replace whole engine ... and that's making a lots of unnecessary costs.
Now i can see that they brought cars scan equipment. So now what they only doing is reading the codes and erase them, with not fixing the issue.

So if you Guys have any questions , fell free to ask. I will try to help.

oktawian:
It's sad but Nigerians are so afraid of diesel engines ...
First, I could not get it why ? But then when i went to Nigeria first time and see everything on my own eyes, I get it.
The main problem is the knowledge about the cars, the try and error fixing method that kazam is doing all the time.
There is no special shops that they can diagnose bad injector or injector pump, diesel nozzle etc.
Typical for them is to replace whole engine ... and that's making a lots of unnecessary costs.
Now i can see that they brought cars scan equipment. So now what they only doing is reading the codes and erase them, with not fixing the issue.

So if you Guys have any questions , fell free to ask. I will try to help.

You are welcome bro, thanks for bringing in your knowledge and sharing it. Are you based in Naija

I'm from Poland but, traveling to Nigeria once a year for at least one month.

oktawian:
I'm from Poland but, traveling to Nigeria once a year for at least one month.

Thanks Bro. Will be following you. Let us know whenever you are around.

Are you guys not worried about the quality of our diesel? Even these VW LT bus driver complain a lot.

Obiagelli:
Are you guys not worried about the quality of our diesel? Even these VW LT bus driver complain a lot.

People are quick to blame the quality of diesel when the issue is something else. Some do not ever bother to change their diesel filters.

Pics

Obiagelli:
Are you guys not worried about the quality of our diesel? Even these VW LT bus driver complain a lot.

I heard diesel engines are more tolerant to quality depreciation compared to their petrol counter part.

nurey:


I heard diesel engines are more tolerant to quality depreciation compared to their petrol counter part.

9icetoo:

People are quick to blame the quality of diesel when the issue is something else. Some do not ever bother to change their diesel filters.

Interesting

Dp

Please how often should the diesel filter be changed?

Obiagelli:




Interesting

If you have a counter argument to this, we are interested cause this thread was setup to gather info about diesel engines.

In Nigeria every 40 000 km should be fine.
When I will be changing the diesel filter maybe I will make the video how to exactly do that.

nurey:


If you have a counter argument to this, we are interested cause this thread was setup to gather info about diesel engines.

Just hearsay from professionals and non professionals. Here to learn too.

oktawian:
In Nigeria every 40 000 km should be fine.
When I will be changing the diesel filter maybe I will make the video how to exactly do that.

Thanks for answering the question, please when you talk about filter, is it the normal engine oil filter that we change during oil change or there is a special diesel engine filter may be for the injector or something else.

Obiagelli:

Just hearsay from professionals and non professionals. Here to learn too.

Ok, just noticed you were a female. Please do you have a diesel engine powered vehicle?

Most diesel engines have separate diesel and oil filters. The change intervals for the filters may differ but if you suspect your source of diesel is dodgy, it's always good to change your diesel filter when you are changing your oil filter. The filters are cheap. On the TDI with unit injectors and tandem pump, diesel contamination will wreak havoc on your car. Common rail diesel units sometimes tolerate contaminated diesel but be aware that the pump might wear out sooner.

nurey:


Ok, just noticed you were a female. Please do you have a diesel engine powered vehicle?

No.

As i said, 40 k km is fine for the diesel in Nigeria .

All cars have the same set of the filters ...
Intake air filter
engine oil filter
fuel filter, does not matter if it is petrol or diesel ...
cabin air filter

oktawian:
As i said, 40 k km is fine for the diesel in Nigeria .

All cars have the same set of the filters ...
Intake air filter
engine oil filter
fuel filter, does not matter if it is petrol or diesel ...
cabin air filter

Ok good point, so the difference between petrol and diesel is diesel using compression ignition and petrol using combustion ignition or any other marked difference.

nurey:


Ok good point, so the difference between petrol and diesel is diesel using compression ignition and petrol using combustion ignition or any other marked difference.

Diesels are a lot more complicated than that. There are also things like the difference between common rail and turbo diesels, EGR's, swirl flaps and diesel particulate filters.

I'll post more tomorrow but now it's time for other activities

lungwun:


Diesels are a lot more complicated than that. There are also things like the difference between common rail and turbo diesels, EGR's, swirl flaps and diesel particulate filters.

I'll post more tomorrow but now it's time for other activities

Good to have you here brother. If we can have access to enough information on diesel engines, how they work and how to take care of them, I believe a percentage of people will ditch their play it safe and really try to enjoy life.

Please any information you can share about diesel engines are welcome.

I have a 1989 landrover defender 90 with a four cylinder 200tdi turbo diesel engine which I bought as a restoration project.
I know that tdi engines run cooler than other diesel engines so do not expect cooling issues from this engine unless it is abused
I have learnt that diesel engines require care as much as petrol engines. Correct manufacturer recommended fluids and filters should be used,care should be taken to use genuine or high grade after market parts so you don't experience failure of parts.
You also should change your air filters and keep an eye on your glow plugs to ensure you enjoy your automobile.
@op,good thread

ivoryhouse:
I have a 1989 landrover defender 90 with a four cylinder 200tdi turbo diesel engine which I bought as a restoration project.
I know that tdi engines run cooler than other diesel engines so do not expect cooling issues from this engine unless it is abused
I have learnt that diesel engines require care as much as petrol engines. Correct manufacturer recommended fluids and filters should be used,care should be taken to use genuine or high grade after market parts so you don't experience failure of parts.
You also should change your air filters and keep an eye on your glow plugs to ensure you enjoy your automobile.
@op,good thread

Welcome bro. Thanks for this information, I would really love to see pix of your ride or a link to the restoration project. Also is TDI a class of diesel engine (like the variable valve timing technology) or is it a VW engine tech thing.

Still on my generator vibe

Please is there any special/recommended radiator coolant for diesel engines?

I can't find the manual for my unit and I've been using water

nurey:


Welcome bro. Thanks for this information, I would really love to see pix of your ride or a link to the restoration project. Also is TDI a class of diesel engine (like the variable valve timing technology) or is it a VW engine tech thing.

Tdi is a class of diesel engines, dont know about the vw though
Suspended the project but will resume real soon
pictures..

ivoryhouse:

Tdi is a class of diesel engines, dont know about the vw though
Suspended the project but will resume real soon
pictures..

Thanks bro, nice looking ride