Dear Bob,

In my Passat TDi I use Mobil Delvac-1 as my oil, changed every 5000mi. Cost: about $80 for 4 gallons. NOTE: it is hard to find this oil -- look in the yellow pages under oil specialists.

I also use 20oz of Redline Diesel additive every tank of fuel.

Cheers,

MJS

At 04:14 PM 9/20/99 -0400, Bob Busick wrote:

>Hi Volks.....My 83 diesel has developed a peculiar annoyance.  He used

>to start right up, quickly on the first try.  Lately the engine turns

>over longer (like approx 8 seconds or so) before firing.  Then, after

>the engine starts, it will idle okay for a few seconds before it begins

>to sputter and vibrate and die.  It feels like it's fuel starved.....and

>pressing the accelerator doesn't seem to be delivering the needed fuel.

>Usually I go through that two or three times and then he'll fire up and

>run great.  Note:  I follow the owner's manual start sequence to the

>letter.

>

>Second question:  What brand oil do my fellow diesel owners use?  The

>Bentleys and the owner's manual both state that the oil MUST have the

>API rating CD.  My local parts store only had one oil (a Valvoline

>Racing oil) with that rating.  The PO used a synthetic oil that didn't

>have a CD rating and I was blowing significant smoke under even moderate

>load.  The smoke has diminished significantly since I changed the oil.

>

>Last question:  What additives are you volks using in your diesel.  I

>did an internet search and came up with something called Dr. Diesel.

>According to their website......their stuff is the best......(now that's

>surprising ;)  )....and many of the other additives (such as STP,

>Chevron Techron, Red Line, and others) are either no better than #2

>diesel fuel straight or have ingredients that are downright harmful for

>the engine or the fuel lines.  Anyone use this Dr. Diesel stuff???

>

>Thanks !!

>

>Bob

>

<bold>

Michael J. Sullivan

</bold><italic>Director of Catalog Design

Open Market, Inc.

</italic>

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