On 28 Sep 2006 at 7:35, Dan Weeks <Diesel-Vanagon@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

> So the fact that I have to replace my half-saturated air filter and
> swab out the airbox every 5k miles on my 1.6TD should be a pretty
> good sign that in spite of running great, starting easily, and using
> only a quart of oil every 1250 miles or so, that my rings are pretty
> well shot, huh?
>
> "Honest Vic," who sold me the engine, said it had 63k miles on it
> when I got it. It was out of an '86 German DOKA, though, so even if
> he did tell the truth about the miles, it was likely a short-trip and
> lots-of-idle-time mill. If he told the truth about the mileage, it's
> now up to 85k.
>
> So, people, how much longer do I have? I run mobil 1 truck and SUV
> full synthetic, which the anal, oil-analysing MBZ Diesel driver's
> swear is the best oil on the planet, and change every 5k, but of
> course the cow's already left the barn.

Where does your VC vent go into the intake? If you change it to after the air filter, that should
solve the saturation problem. Mine goes into the pipe a few inches after it leaves the airbox
heading to the turbo. Clogging your air filter is a recipe for runaway in a TD (speaking from
experience...)
What is your oil consumption? Mine has plenty of blowby, but still only consumes about 1/2 qt
in 2500 miles. I think if you drive it cautiously, you may be able to manage for quite a while,
perhaps another 30-50k or more. Watch the oil consumption - that may be your first clue of a
problem, such as a broken ring.

Shawn Wright
http://members.shaw.ca/vwdiesels
'88 Westy 1.6TD 5 speed
'85 Jetta Diesel 1.6NA