1.9 VW overheating

[Gerald]

I have installed a brand new 1.9 VW diesel in my 7 ton 32' sailboat. When I first started the motor it overheated. One side of the thermostat was very hot and the other side cold as ice. I took the guts out of the 87 deg. thermostat and put the remaining washer back in. The motor now only reaches 60 degs., with no load. I could purchase an 80 deg. thermostat but thought I would ask the experts first.
Gerald Niffenegger

[Del Lansing]

If the engine is brand new, the thermostat should be under warrantee correct? get the proper one and replace it. Running without a thermostat can cause overheating also. Running too cold without a thermostat can effect fuel economy a bit also.

[Aramas]

Modern engines can be very picky about running temperatures. People used to take the thermostats out all the time in older engines, but these days they tend to use smaller tolerances and alloys that are more 'temporary', so it's not a good idea. If it's a turbo you can probably cook on it if it's running right smile.gif
Fortunately tribology (lubricants) has come a long way, and temperatures that would smoke up old style 50W is no problem with modern synthetics. Higher revs and temperatures, tighter tolerances and lighter reciprocating parts = better efficiency and less pollution.
So play it safe and let the dealership put it right.

[Figment]

Hi, this is an installation that I've thought a lot about because I love VW diesels, and I'd love to pick your brain a bit.

Your engine is brand new.... are you running it with all of the electronic controls intact (VW runs it as a complete drive-by-wire system in cars) or have you manually defeated all of that? If you've left the electronics in place, I'd be interested to learn about how you have your injector pump timing advance set up, and what you come up with as an ideal setting for your application.

I assume you've left it as a turbocharged engine... Have you defeated the crankcase vent to keep the turbo from sucking up engine oil?
How does your cooling system work? If you've set up a heat exchanger, I'd love to see some pics.

[ 08-04-2003, 09:14 AM: Message edited by: Figment ]

[Gerald]

This whole thing on the dealership side is a little complicated. This motor is manufactured here in Brazil within a few hundred miles of where I live. However, it is not used in Brazil. As a matter of fact it is against the law to install a diesel motor in a vehicle unless it came from the factory with one. Hence, basically, no cars allowed with diesels. It is my understanding that the motor is used in a Gol and in North America is available in Canada only??? The dealers here know little or nothing about it and no one has a wire diagram. The motor is a 1Y ..... whatever that means? It is not turbo charged and does not use electronic injection.
Of the 17 or so wires that exit the sensors and such on the motor I am using 2. A wire running to the glow plugs and the fuel shut off. VW of North America would not talk to me. Said I lived in a foreign country and it was against the law for them to help me?? As a matter of fact VW international did not even answer my many e-mails.
I finally found a gentleman in Texas by the name of Doug Kelty. He has a small manufacturing business and makes adapter kits to install VW diesels in Suzuki 4X4's. Doug went out of his way to help me.
The thermostat was perfect and opened at 87 degrees. I think it is heating up because the heat exchanger is very efficient and always has a supply of cool water. A radiator on the other hand is more or less the same temperature as the water in the engine. As a matter of fact I was wondering if the cold water side of the thermostat might be cooling the thermostat down by thermal transfer and it only opens at lets say 100 degrees? It looked like the motor might have leveled off and ran at about the boiling point. Since it is much more power than the boat needs it will probably run at the same temperature load or no load?
I would be glad to take pictures but don't really understand what you would like to see? As a matter of fact I have a site with many pictures of the boat. If you send me your e-mail address I will send you an invite to look at them.
Gerald Niffenegger
Niffeneggerniff@aol.com

[imported_Conrad]

You have to bleed the thermostat on a new installation- there wasn't enough water in the block to transfer the heat to the thermostat, causing it to open. Drill a very small hole in a new one so it will self bleed and re-install.

[Gerald]

Conrad ..... those were the motivational words that I need to buy and try a new thermostat. Sure as heck makes sense!
Gerald Niffenegger

[Gerald]

Thank you Conrad ...... the small hole was just the ticket. The motor now runs at a constant 87 deg. C.
Gerald Niffenegger

[skuthorp]

Brasil, Pittsburg, Conneticut, Washington, Brasil. Problem stated, problem solved. Restores my faith in the forum!! :D :D

[imported_Conrad]

;)