Maintenance Requirements for the 2002 VW Golf TDI.

larrymcfall

New member
Joined
Sep 9, 2006
Location
Huntsville, AL
TDI
2002 Golf
I have a 2002 VW Golf TDI, Diesel. My owners manual is not very comprehensive to say the least, almost to the point that, VW does not want you to know what is going on. Specifically the oil requirements. First I can't find out what American Oil is recommended for the 1.9L TDI (i.e., Assume an oil listed as "Castrol 505.01" synthetic) and how much oil is required to fill the engine. I have on the web site the procedure in Changing the oil & oil filter which appears very simple. I do like the idea of being able to extract the oil and change filter from the top end of the engine. Beats the heck out of getting under the auto. VW Dealship, at least the one in Huntsville, Alabama charges a high price to perform this task which I will do myself from now on.

Questions:
1. Is the Castrol Synthetic Oil the only oil that can be used safely in the 2002 TDI?

2. Is there a high oil pressure issue with the TDI such as "the Pump Injector System" e.g., Pumpe Dhe TDI?

** Does this engine have a special pump injector that needs special consideration?

3. How many quarts or liters does it take to fill this 2002 TDI Engine?

4. Where are they making the TDI engines that we buy here in the United States?

5. Can you purchase a full maintenance publication on the TDI Diesel Engines?

I appreciate any answers I can get on these issues. I really appreciate my TDI it is the second VW Diesel I have bought in my life time, the first being a 1982 Rabbit and it was also, a great car.

Larry L. McFall
Huntsville, Alabama
 

ymz

Top Post Dawg
Joined
May 12, 2003
Location
Between Toronto & Montreal
TDI
2003 Jetta TDI Wagon, 2003 Jetta TDI Wagon
Welcome to the TDI-Club !!!!

There's more information here than you'll ever be able to digest, so take it slowly... Start out by reading the FAQ (above)... it's a bit out of date, but the essentials are still valid.

Your car requires a 5W-40 synthetic oil... the 505.01 will work, but is only required for 2004-and-newer... Most WalMarts carry Shell "Rotella-T" "Full Synthetic" (so-called) in the Blue jugs at about $16 / 3.7 Liters... you'll need a shade more than that for an oil change... Filter kits are available from many of the online vendors you'll find here... (www.metalmanparts.com www.tdiparts.com www.worldimpex.com www.dieselgeek.com for starters)...

How many miles on the car? The timing belt (critical !!!) is scheduled for replacement at around 80,000 miles on the 2002's... the abovementioned suppliers all have the upgraded 2003 components rated at 100,000 miles (although a bit early is a good idea)...

Basically: oil changes every 10,000 miles (or 1 year), fuel filter changes every 20,000 miles (or 1 year), air filters every 40,000 miles - unless you live in very dusty conditions...

I'll tag on some links you may find useful...

All the best,

Yuri.

PS: timing belts should really only be changed by someone very familiar with the ALH engines (what you have...) A road trip to one of the TDI-Club Gurus who have a proven track record may be the best option !!

How-To's:http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?p=569892 (Wingnut's "how-to" message thread)

Timing Belt replacement procedure (download the file... just for your info, although it doesn't include the water pump replacement - considered necessary!!!) http://pics.tdiclub.com/pdf/a4timingbelt.pdf

Quick-Time Videos:
http://pics2.tdiclub.com/video/cincitdi/oilextraction.html
http://pics2.tdiclub.com/video/cincitdi/snowscreen.html
http://pics2.tdiclub.com/video/cincitdi/fuelfilter.html
http://pics2.tdiclub.com/video/cincitdi/coolantmigration.html
 

ymz

Top Post Dawg
Joined
May 12, 2003
Location
Between Toronto & Montreal
TDI
2003 Jetta TDI Wagon, 2003 Jetta TDI Wagon
Some more things I forgot...

Manual: Robert Bentley Publications has the "bible" for the car... both CD and Book form are available, and you may be able to find a used copy - just make sure it covers the 2002 model...

The Engines are made in Poland, as far as I know... of course, the components come from many other places...

Since you mentioned Castrol... the Syntec with the VW 505.00 rating is what's in your dealer's stock... (some AutoZones may also carry it)... Many feel that the Rotella Synthetic (or better yet, Mobil Delvac-1 (not 1300) and Amsoil "European Formula" (both 5W-40) are preferable... and cheaper...

BTW: I'm sure that you'll find this car is a little bit more advanced than your 1982 Rabbit... a tad more power, also...

Yuri.
 

tjl

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Mar 19, 2001
Location
California, USA
TDI
2001 Golf GLS
larrymcfall said:
I have a 2002 VW Golf TDI, Diesel. My owners manual is not very comprehensive to say the least, almost to the point that, VW does not want you to know what is going on. Specifically the oil requirements.
My 2001 manual says to use SAE 5W-40 oil with one of the following ratings:

VW 505.00
ACEA B3 or B4
API CF-4 or CG-4 (note: API CF does not fulfill these ratings, but API CH-4 and CI-4 do)

Oils that can be used that I've found in stores include:

Castrol Syntec 5W-40
Valvoline Synpower 5W-40
Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W-40 (in its former name, Mobil 1 Truck and SUV 5W-40 -- the current Mobil 1 Truck and SUV 5W-30 is not suitable)
Shell Rotella T Synthetic 5W-40

Any of the VW 505.01 rated oils, like Castrol TXT 505.01, can be used, since they automatically meet VW 505.00. But VW 505.01 is only needed for 2004-2006 VW TDI engines in the US, since only those years have the Pump Injectors that need that special oil.

3. How many quarts or liters does it take to fill this 2002 TDI Engine?
Nominal oil capacity is 4.7 quarts. However, if you drain or suck the oil out of the pan, 4.0 to 4.2 quarts will bring it back up to full. If you additionally suck the oil out from under the oil filter, you can get 4.5 quarts of new oil in. Sucking the oil is done with an oil suction device found at a boat shop (e.g. Pela, or Tempo Oil Boy).

5. Can you purchase a full maintenance publication on the TDI Diesel Engines?
The service manual from Bentley Publishers ( http://www.rb.com ) is the one most often used. However, it may be cheaper at VW parts retailers (e.g. Impex, tdiparts.com, etc.) or book retailers (e.g. Amazon).
 
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