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Old 03-30-2004, 09:34 PM
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wolf_walker wolf_walker is offline
Zen And The Art Of Diesel
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Oklahoma City
Posts: 2,050
Quote:
Originally posted by BoostnBenz
Those numbers look nice h-town.

I know 250ish is the service limit but how low can the motor actually start/run on?
Depends on starter, battery, ambient temp, glow plugs, and operator patience. A diesel can get pretty darn worn out and still be usable if all of the above are in your favor.

My last VW turbo diesel had about 475K on it I guess when I retired it, oil pressure at ide was 12psi hot, it fired and started running roughly for a bit in 30 degree weather, but below that, no way, not with fairly old glow plugs. Just before pulling it out I drove a 1500 mile trip strait, got 38mpg running 75mph and used 1 1/2 quarts of rotella. Apon pulling the head, the valve guides were so worn you could litteraly shimmy the valve stem around one direction almost a quarter of an inch. When for filled it with oil if you did not pour slowly, apon startup you'd get a nasty gluck gluck gluck sound and heavy oil smoke for a few moments. That motor would have lasted a lot longer if I'd had it since new, first 150K miles of neglected maintanance killed it's longevity.

You'd be amazed how far a diesel will go if you ever get it running.
The injection pump and turbo off that motor are right back in service on a 1.9L TD, the pump checked out fine at a Bosch shop and the turbo had new seals. That's it.

I love diesels...
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1982 VW Caddy diesel 406K 1.9L AAZ
1994 E320 195K
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