294k KM on 2006 TDI (BEW)... some lifter damage

[NewYorkBuck]

I traded in my 2006 Jetta TDI last year with well over 100k on the ticker. Save normal maintenance items coupled with a bad DMF, I had absolutely no problems with the car.

My stance on oil regarding this car was largely formed by interacting with other BRM owners on Freds TDI forum. The cam/wear problems were a common talking point with these engines. Regarding oil, the following seemed to be the consensus:

1 - The most common element among cam failures seemed to be the use of a 5W-30 oil, even if it was 505.01 certified.

2 - Few problems were reported with 505.01 oils if they were of the 5W-40 variety.

3 - Many if not most people ultimately switched to a HD 5W-40 diesel oil that was not necessarily 505.01 compliant, specifically Rotella T6, Mobil 1 TDT, and Mobil 1 Delvac 1.

My personal experience - right after warranty was out, I switched to Mobil 1 TDT. I put over 100k hard miles on that car with that oil, and by the time I let go of it it was still getting 44ish MPG and was pulling as hard as the day I bought it.

FWIW...

 

[Nick1994]

Originally Posted By: NewYorkBuck
I traded in my 2006 Jetta TDI last year with well over 100k on the ticker. Save normal maintenance items coupled with a bad DMF, I had absolutely no problems with the car.

My stance on oil regarding this car was largely formed by interacting with other BRM owners on Freds TDI forum. The cam/wear problems were a common talking point with these engines. Regarding oil, the following seemed to be the consensus:

1 - The most common element among cam failures seemed to be the use of a 5W-30 oil, even if it was 505.01 certified.

2 - Few problems were reported with 505.01 oils if they were of the 5W-40 variety.

3 - Many if not most people ultimately switched to a HD 5W-40 diesel oil that was not necessarily 505.01 compliant, specifically Rotella T6, Mobil 1 TDT, and Mobil 1 Delvac 1.

My personal experience - right after warranty was out, I switched to Mobil 1 TDT. I put over 100k hard miles on that car with that oil, and by the time I let go of it it was still getting 44ish MPG and was pulling as hard as the day I bought it.

FWIW...
100k miles is nothing, and unless you pulled the valve cover off and inspected it, pulling hard and good mpg means nothing.

I just sold my 2004 TDI Beetle last month, original owner was my aunt and it had 176k when I sold it. It too "pulled hard" like brand new and ran fantastic with great mpg, but I pulled the valve cover and the cam was toast.

Time for that hunk of junk to go.

 

[dlundblad]

VW's and broken cams seem to go hand in hand.

 

[NO2]

Hopefully you have one of the models that VW will buy back.

 

[edyvw]

Just get Pentosin 5W40.

 

[Tornado Red]

Originally Posted By: Brons2
Some on TDIClub have speculated that CJ-4 synthetics such as M1 TDT work better than the 505.01 in PD engines...


I know lots of TDI PD owners switched to CJ-4 oils, specifically 5w40 oils such as TDT or Rosella T6. I don't know as if they are better, but the reports are that they are at least as good. The CJ-4 rated oils seem to be more robust than the VAG 505.01 rated oils.

 

[ac_tc]

I think its quite safe to say that hdeo of the ci+4, cj type
are more robust than the passcar oils even if they carry a vw501 sign. Many poeple have had great succses with these oils in hard cammed v8´s, vw pumpdyse engines etc.
And since they are way cheaper its a no brainer to me..
i would use hdeo.