My 200 tdi has started to use more oil than usual and the fuel consumption has dropped from the usual 400 miles from 60 litres to about 300 miles for the same amount of fuel, what do i start checking first? any advice welcome, there are no oil leaks by the way, it does seem to be smoking a bit more than it used to, but then again so am I
Hmmmm...... assuming this was quite abrupt, and you fitted a new head gasket only 1 k miles ago, the very first thing to do is check the valve clearances, but only AFTER considering re-torquing the head down.
If you decide not to touch the head bolts, do make quite sure you have ten thou clearance on each valve.
Your symptoms might just be one or more tight valves, and being so close after doing a head gasket ......well, better safe than burn out some valves.
CharlesY
If you decide not to touch the head bolts, do make quite sure you have ten thou clearance on each valve.
Your symptoms might just be one or more tight valves, and being so close after doing a head gasket ......well, better safe than burn out some valves.
CharlesY
Is it ten thou for inlet /exhaust valve clearance.
I've always used eight...
Whats two thou between friends.
Eight is neat, ten is right - as far as I believe, but it really doesn't matter, as long as there is real clearance to let the valve sit down hard on the seat.
Too much clearance lets the valve hit the seat fast and hard, and risks a valve breakage which is a disaster. Too little clearance my not let the valve close tightly, so it will leak under pressure, and screw up performance and probably burn the valve seat too.
Question is, has he checked them clearances yet?
CharlesY
