Thread: New 1996 300tdi owner

If it was me, whilst the front of the engine was stripped i would be changing the water pump. I would also pull the radiator and get it rodded and give the inter cooler a clean. Check all idler bearings. This will give you a great starting point and you will have many years of happy driving. I may have missed it was it auto or manual. ?

Welcome ...

Makes sense to do the things you have planned.
But on the waterpump, I wouldn't bother doing it just for the sake of doing so.
It's an easy job, no matter where/when/what you have to do, but for the sake of peace of mind, have the pump in a spares kit.
The only caveat with the water pump are the notorious 3 long bolts along the left hand circular section. I think 5 or 6 bolts on the longer straight neck shape on the RHS, are all shorter.
But the longer bolts will probably have rust on the shanks. In itself, not a problem, just can be hard to remove, but some have had the issue that they rusted so much, they could shear due to bad rust, or the rust locking it harder than normal when removing.
So the recommendation would be that if you do get a pump, irrespective of if you do it immediately or hold on to it as a spare part, remember to get the 3 long bolts for it too.

As for gauges, definitely get the coolant temp AND EGT gauges ... both handy to see in real time how the engine is running. As anomalies surface, adjust your driving to suit ...
Also, depending on how you like to set yourself up .. there are options for gauges that end up looking less dramatic on the old dashboard.
So instead of having a gauge for this, and a gauge for that .. etc. you can get systems that show you multiple gauges on a single screen of some type.
My fave is the 1Gauge(that I have), but there are others too like the MadMan gauge system. I preferred the 1Gauge for both lower cost and nicer screen .. do a search for my thread on it to see what I mean.
Price on the 1Gauge has gone up since I got mine tho ..
There are others too, just can't recall the names/brands now.
But, the point is, if you think you'll end up spending say $300 for gauges(and don't be tempted to get really cheapo cheap Chinese unknown quantity items too!), maybe spend jsut a little more and have say 7 gauges all up instead ... but remember that's on a single screen!

D1 looks really nice too .. and damned! ... I wish I had a grandma like that too now!
Is it auto or manual?
(maybe put it in your sig, so that when you ask a question for something or other, folks will read it and know better how to respond too)

Originally Posted by Bazzle218

If it was me, whilst the front of the engine was stripped i would be changing the water pump. I would also pull the radiator and get it rodded and give the inter cooler a clean. Check all idler bearings. This will give you a great starting point and you will have many years of happy driving. I may have missed it was it auto or manual. ?

Thanks for the thoughts Bazzle.
It is an auto, ideally would be a manual but beggars can't be choosers haha.
I will add radiator rodding and intercooler clean to the list. Plus think more about the water pump.
A fresh starting point with all main wear items replaced is exactly what I want

Originally Posted by AK83

Welcome ...

Makes sense to do the things you have planned....

Thanks Arthur,

I have read about the 3 bolts giving grief along with the P gasket. Will purchase and see how I go. Has anyone used the German water pumps roverlord sells? I have seen he is part of this forum and will likely being doing a big order from him shortly.

Regarding gauges I recently read your post about the 1Gauge, they are currently out of stock on the website; but that is not an issue in itself. My concern with the 1gauge is an all eggs in one basket situation, along with unsure how rugged the unit would be. They only provide a 1 year warranty. I assume yours is going well? It would defiently provide some great monitoring in a compact form factor.

In terms of more individual gauges what brands are decent? I have VDO floating around. Will go an EGT gauge for sure then.

thanks for your thoughts.

ps struggling to find where I can edit my signature?

Replace the coolant reservoir - they crack with age.

Tom.

So far the 1Gauge has been reliable, and no reason to expect the unit not to be. Brains of the box is a nice aluminium thing(I only have it duct taped to the inside of the fuse panel on drivers side).
Maybe if screen is mounted somewhere susceptible it could break in some way.
If you seen my thread, you would have seen I have screen up where the sunroof switch would be, so the panel had to chopped.
On really hot days(30+C) when parked in sun, it does get hot ... very hot, and it does discolour a little while it's hot(LCD colour changes tone). When on the move tho it seems to cool a little and colour comes back. 3 years so far, no issues. Sensors(provided) are all VDO, not sure what the EGT probe is tho.

Originally Posted by Toomnus

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ps struggling to find where I can edit my signature?

Top right of page, see Settings, click this and (I think) there's a list of stuff you can do on the LHS.

Ok, well that does sound pretty ideal.
I shall do se further reading on the one gauge and maybe send them an email to ask when they will have stock again.

One odd question, does your car make a beeping sound when the drivers door is open? My grandma thinks you can turn it off but can’t remember how. I have read the owners manual and couldn’t find info on how to stop if it is possible.

Thanks again,
Tom

Originally Posted by Toomnus

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One odd question, does your car make a beeping sound when the drivers door is open? My grandma thinks you can turn it off but can’t remember how. I have read the owners manual and couldn’t find info on how to stop if it is possible.

Thanks again,
Tom

With the key in the ignition?
If so, then yes .. it did. I hate beeping cars(passionately!)
There's a purple(I think) wire on the ignition that senses the key in ignition when door is open. Easy to do.
Just can't recall the exact wire.
Also if lights on, beeping with door open. I left that alone, don't mind that reminder(eg. if park lights are on).
But the 'key in : beep' ..... had to go.