1.9 TDi new owner questions

[Sion]

As I'm new here, I thought I'd ask a few specific questions regarding my A4 1.9 TDi. I have had a quick scan over previous post, but not found my answers. Here goes.

Car - 2001 A4 1.9TDi 130 with high miles

• What Engine Oil do you guys use for topping up? Manual says VW 506 00 or VW 506 01 for the long life servicing. Is it best to go to the Audi garage (and pay a fortune I'm sure) or is there a brand in Halfords etc that is just as good?
• I still can't get my head around the long service intervals. Do any of you drop the oil and change it yourselves in between services?
• There appears to be a breather pipe or something missing from the air filter housing on the left hand side of the engine compartment. There is a nozzle that looks like it is meant to have a pipe connected to it. I have attached a picture and circled it so you can see. The area around this is covered in a fine layer of oil.

Thanks in advance for any answers.

[Marco34]

Hi Sion

I have a 1.9TDi 2001 sport 130. My personal choice regarding servicing is NOT to use longlife intervals. Several reasons, I don't like the thought of no inspection for potentially 2 years! Also, when I got my car from my mate it had only done 14K and was on long life. When I changed the oil filter the paper part crumbled in my hands!!!

I use a very good oil called Millers XFE-PD it's designed for the PD (which yours must be with the 506.01 quote in your book). PD requires either 505.01 Fixed or 506.01 variable. The .01 is for PD engines.

I use Millers 505.01 and drain every 6 months or 5k miles. I only do 4 miles to work and so everything isn't getting piping hot until a weekend run. That's my reason for a frequent change. I'd rather the oil be at its peak. The oil is about £28 plus a filter costs me £35.

As for servicing I do it myself. I do all filters every 12 months apart from fuel filter and have just replaced all brakes for EBC. Major stuff I go to Audi. I also have VAG-COM which is a very handy tool

With regards to the pic I'll check my engine tonight as I can't think what is there on mine.

Cheers

[Dave Avant]

Halfords do do the oil for your engine (Castrol Edge 5W 30) and its the same as what the dealer use, apparently. But it is still £42 for 4 litres. Quite expensive but its designed for long services.

If you intend on just doing the fixed service which is 10K miles per year then the Millers like Marco suggests will do fine. Basically the extra cost on the Castrol is for the longer variable services. Personally like Marco I prefer not to leave it for at the most 10K miles anyway, regardless of the super duper oil put in.

I usually change engine oil around 6,000 miles, mines done about 7,000 now and as its a year since, I am going to change it. The oil I used on the last service was Mobil 1.

Alot of people will have their favourites and say some is over hyped etc etc. But the best rule of thumb is to check the label to make sure it has the correct approvals eg VW 506.01