VW TDI - 60+ mpg and 900 miles on one tank!

[COcyclist]

Originally Posted by NachtRitter

Given that Jack McCornack's MAX (which I really enjoyed reading about) gets 75mpg at 65mph (according to his blog entry at MAX Update No. 84: Speed Kills (Gas Mileage)), I'm pretty damn pleased that I was getting 60mpg at 65mph in a full-sized, comfortable sedan with very minor aero work...

...and a car full of passengers and luggage.

Great numbers Nacht! I think we are both in trouble when Jethro gets the diesel in his Mk II. I have similar grill blocking to yours on my car but otherwise it appears mostly stock. It may be time for skirts and a Kammback soon.

[NachtRitter]

Ya, Jethro is a bold person for putting a boattail on a sedan, but given his pathfinding it looks like it could be done well.

For me, the next obvious step would be a belly pan... I don't even have the plastic factory engine pan on mine anymore (previous owner absconded with it). Probably will go with a metal skid plate, using that as the basis for a more complete belly pan.

[Ladogaboy]

Yeah, if you do any amount of off-road driving, a metal pan would be the way to go. I might eventually go with an aluminum front skid plate, but I still have the factory plastic piece. Also, how long have you had the grill block on? California had a pretty cool year up to this point, but when next summer rolls around...

[NachtRitter]

Ladogaboy -

Both the upper and the 'middle' blocks have been through all of last summer... That's another characteristic of the diesel that has surprised me... they really run cool (comparatively speaking)! Even on relatively long uphill slogs, the temp only gets to about 210F (per the scangauge)... on a hot summer day with the blocks in place! I had all these plans in mind for making adjustable slots on the middle block, but never needed them.

We'll see what next summer brings around... but being the blocks are easy to remove, I'm not too worried.

I've really become a fan of the TDIs... can you tell?

[Arragonis]

Well done, I kind of miss my old Helga (hmmm, same name) sometimes.

[COcyclist]

Originally Posted by NachtRitter

Both the upper and the 'middle' blocks have been through all of last summer... That's another characteristic of the diesel that has surprised me... they really run cool (comparatively speaking)! Even on relatively long uphill slogs, the temp only gets to about 210F (per the scangauge)... on a hot summer day with the blocks in place! I had all these plans in mind for making adjustable slots on the middle block, but never needed them.

We'll see what next summer brings around... but being the blocks are easy to remove, I'm not too worried.

I've really become a fan of the TDIs... can you tell?

I made mine out of pipe insulation so they could be quickly removed. That was 4 years ago and they have never come out, even climbing up to Eisenhower Tunnel from Denver (50 miles of climbing) in summer.

I also love my TDI too. Powerful, comfortable and fun to drive aren't always associated with an economy car capable of 50 mpg. Unfortunately, the latest TDIs may never match these older ones for mpg.

[JasonG]

Manualtranny had a good story on larger nozzles and FE Dealing with BeachedBora.... - Page 32 - TDIClub Forums

Also YBlocker's install walkthrough Notes on Titan 502 Nozzle Installation - TDIClub Forums

Gotta love diesels !!

[JasonG]

Originally Posted by NachtRitter

They are nozzles which originally came stock in the diesel Transporter 4 (aka EuroVan); size is .216um on those.

OK, more questions:
What IQ are you set at ?
Stock turbo ?
How far did you advance the start of injection ?

[TedV]

If your TDi wont get up to temp, even with grill blocked, you just might need a thermostat. My 98 Jetta would never get to 190. Actually, the needle almost never moved off ice cold. I tested the TS out of the motor along with a new one in a pan of water on the stove. They both operated the same at the same temp in the pan. The new one actually lets the motor get to 190 in the car tho. YMMV

[NachtRitter]

Originally Posted by JasonG

OK, more questions:
What IQ are you set at ?
Stock turbo ?
How far did you advance the start of injection ?

I only know the answer to one of those... I am running the stock turbo. The others I'll have to write down next time I have access to someone with a VAG-COM.