Giving a TDi engine a 'good thrash'

[rkenny]

I have had a turbo go in my 2.0 TDi engine due to sticking vanes in the turbo causing an overboost problem. I asked about this in another thread and got the advice that in future I should give the car a good thrash every now and then.
Questions: please describe what is meant by a good thrash and how often the thrash should be administered.

(Perhaps an administrator could transfer the answer to the sticky on New octavia tips and tricks?).

[Jonno VRs]

I wasn't aware you could thrash a diesel... surely it's pointless?

[woodenspatulas]

Originally Posted by Jonno VRs

I wasn't aware you could thrash a diesel... surely it's pointless?

ever driven the tdi vrs?? you can certainly thrash them! and the sport mode in the DSG does a good job too!

i would think after allowing the engine to come to the proper temps, "a good thrash" would maybe involve a good spirited drive down some 60mph a and b roads. really letting the engine power along, making full use of its power!!

[jamesmckelvie]

have you ever watched the episode of Fawlty Towers where Fawlty gets a large branch and starts hitting his car and shouting at it, probably do something along the lines of this ?

[woodenspatulas]

Originally Posted by jamesmckelvie

have you ever watched the episode of Fawlty Towers where Fawlty gets a large branch and starts hitting his car and shouting at it, probably do something along the lines of this ?

lol!!

"right, thats it, im going to give you a right good thrashing!!!"

[Jonno VRs]

Originally Posted by woodenspatulas

ever driven the tdi vrs?? you can certainly thrash them! and the sport mode in the DSG does a good job too!

i would think after allowing the engine to come to the proper temps, "a good thrash" would maybe involve a good spirited drive down some 60mph a and b roads. really letting the engine power along, making full use of its power!!

I haven't driven a VRs tdi no. However I don't imagine it's any different from any other VAG diesel albeit more powerful with more torque. Surely 'thrashing' a diesel is defeating the object of having a diesel, i.e. the torque comes in low down and tails off hence there is no point red lining. You're better to change up to hit peak torque in the next gear?

[woodenspatulas]

Originally Posted by Jonno VRs

I haven't driven a VRs tdi no. However I don't imagine it's any different from any other VAG diesel albeit more powerful with more torque. Surely 'thrashing' a diesel is defeating the object of having a diesel, i.e. the torque comes in low down and tails off hence there is no point red lining. You're better to change up to hit peak torque in the next gear?

but i wouldnt call "thrashing" a car taking it too the red line. i would say imoa that its more using the throttle fully, accelerating hard through the gears, gettting the most speed possible from the car.

also most if not all petrols dont need to be red lined either, as the max torque and power are usually below the redline itself (of course thats not true of the 1.2 corsa, as most people who drive them need to redline the engines all the time )

[Johnwg]

Originally Posted by Jonno VRs

I haven't driven a VRs tdi no. However I don't imagine it's any different from any other VAG diesel albeit more powerful with more torque. Surely 'thrashing' a diesel is defeating the object of having a diesel, i.e. the torque comes in low down and tails off hence there is no point red lining. You're better to change up to hit peak torque in the next gear?

Not if its mapped and pulls all the way to the red line.

You need to give it a good thrash (for me this means drive it like a petrol) once every so often in order to get rid of all the crud that builds up (DPF's especialy), like you say pointless as you only get 35-40 mpg rather than the normal 50mpg (talking about the 1.9 TDI 105hp in this case).

After a good 'thrash' I find that the soot emitted out of the rear is non existant, before said 'thrashing' a more than mild prod of the accelarator leads to black clouds out of the back.

[Jonno VRs]

Originally Posted by woodenspatulas

but i wouldnt call "thrashing" a car taking it too the red line. i would say imoa that its more using the throttle fully, accelerating hard through the gears, gettting the most speed possible from the car.

also most if not all petrols dont need to be red lined either, as the max torque and power are usually below the redline itself (of course thats not true of the 1.2 corsa, as most people who drive them need to redline the engines all the time )

Well in that case I 'thrash' my car every day.

Thrashing IMO is more about a lack of understanding from the driver about how to drive a car to its full potential but instead drag every last rev out of every gear before changing up in the misguided expectation that that is how to get the best out of the car.

What you talk about is just normal hard driving, not to be confused with thrashing. Thrashing conjures up notions of misuse causing some sort of detrimental effect to the car IMO, which of course hard driving, given the appropriate conditions etc, isn't.

[woodenspatulas]

Originally Posted by Jonno VRs

Well in that case I 'thrash' my car every day.

Thrashing IMO is more about a lack of understanding from the driver about how to drive a car to its full potential but instead drag every last rev out of every gear before changing up in the misguided expectation that that is how to get the best out of the car.

What you talk about is just normal hard driving, not to be confused with thrashing. Thrashing conjures up notions of misuse causing some sort of detrimental effect to the car IMO, which of course hard driving, given the appropriate conditions etc, isn't.

i quite agree. i suppose its all about what you deem as a good thrashing. as i dont get chance to drive my car hard on the way to work i only get to stretch its legs, or "thrash it" every now and again. I think your interpretation of thrashing is otherwise known as driving like a t1t


mainly contained to small engined cars with silly exhausts bunged on the back to warn the rest of society they are on their way!!

[jamesmckelvie]

Originally Posted by woodenspatulas

lol!!

"right, thats it, im going to give you a right good thrashing!!!"

ha ha yes thats the line - class

[dstev2000]

I would think the best way to is to get the engine hot first and then rev the car higher than usual before changing gear.
Full throttle in the higher rev range usually works for me. Clears the ****e out of the turbocharger and exhaust system and exercises the vanes. Leaving it in 3rd gear + a good twisty B road is the order of the day.

I don't think 'thrash' is the most appropriate term - "giving it some stick" is more like it.

[Johnwg]

Originally Posted by dstev2000

I don't think 'thrash is the most appropriate term. "giving it some stick" is more like it.

I'd agree, as has already been mentioned if said TDI is conected to a DSG box just stick it in Sports mode, job done

[dstev2000]

Funnily enough i've never lost a turbo due to a buildup of soot in the turbine

But it's amazing just how much sh...t comes out when stick is given after a period of gentle driving.

[rkenny]

Yes perhaps 'thrash' gives the wrong impression. I think I get the idea. It is good practice to run the engine/turbo nice and hot from time to time to give the turbo a good work out and to clear the diesel particlate filter (if fitted). It seems that if the TDi engine is treated gently sooty deposits build up and can cause problems.

[jamesmckelvie]

When engine is hot, I'd aim for 3 to 3.5K rpm. This will increase the internal temperature of the engine and clear any rubbish out.

[dstev2000]

Use the rev limiter, thats what it's for................

[Tom_vRS]

I normally say thrash, but really just mean giving the engine a good work out, that means putting your foot to the floor, but no need to red line it. 3500rpm is plenty.

[Exhausted]

An alternative method that is available to certain sections of society (me) is to put a 1300Kg caravan on the back and really make the car work!

[dstev2000]

Rev limiter = poor mans change up indicator

Loading up the engine is good but the full rev range still needs to be explored.