TDI : "safe" RPM ?

Question

Hello,I'm driving a TDI van (VW Multivan with the 5cyl 102hp tdi engine),and I'm wondering what is the maximum "safe" rpm (without "abusing"the engine) that I can keep for an extend period of time (say one hourfor example).For instance, is it dangerous for the engine to keep it floor'ed ?(this mean keeping the engine at 4000rpm for extended period of time).A bad habit that I inherited from my vanagon time ;-) ! TIAP.

Rob Guenther · Accepted Answer

I would say as long as it is below the redline, properly warmed up, in goodcondition, with proper oil pressure, everything in tune. Then why not...make sure to watch your engine temperature tho.I'd be concerned more about the noise... too loud to run it that hard. Ifyou have more gear, shift up!

Joe · Answer

when I'm on the motorway doing 80-90+ mph, the rpm is regulary at 4000rpm.But then I'm driving a petrol and i know diesels weren't made to rev as highas the petrol.

sd · Answer

If you're talking about "truck" diesels, that's true. Modern car turbodiesels, however, have no problem hitting 4000 rpm for long periods of time. sd

Rob Guenther · Answer

Car's still go much higher, 6000-6500rpm is the engine redline speed on manygasoline engines, some can go as high as 9000ish in a production car! (HondaS2000... i'd be scared to rev a 4 banger that fast tho, actually i'd bescared to rev any engine that fast)

skydivertu · Answer

Your diesel should be upper rpm limited. it is a standard tune up check, andis done by running the engine full open in neutral., with a tach tool. aswas the one in your vanagon. I think the upper limit was 5200- 5500. I cantremember exactly. Don't confuse  low rpm truck engines  rpm and cars highrpm engines rpm. They are not anywhere near the same.If it wasn't messedwith you should be OK. As far as your vanagon practice goes. I wouldn'tworry about it. The vanagon diesel was a different breed altogether. As youknow it was severely underpowered, It would cruise all day at 55 mph. buthated going over that , and could barely hit 75 going down a hill with atailwind.  The diesel engines couldn't handle it and blew up, a lot.I thinkthis is why you are worried.....The "to the floor or stopped ", 'procedurewas a learned survival skill, and was common practice and necessary to keepfrom getting rear ended or getting killed. Mine had a 0-50 time of 17seconds. when I had it "to the floor"and the...

93 Fox · Answer

I'd say running it at ~ 50-60% of redline for long periods of time is OK.Above that, I'd be weary.

Rob Guenther · Answer

My diesel is computer limited by the automatic tranny to around 4400rpm or so, that is when it will upshift if I have it to the floor (never really do it, just wanted to see how a diesel reacted to a flooring when I got the car, I find it accelerates quicker if you let the speed build up and have it shift at like 3900rpm)

I don't know what the limit is by the computer in neutral.... redline starts at like 4800 or so...

Rob Guenther · Answer

Should be alright if the engine is in good tune, and there is decent oil inthere. Of course doing it everyday might cause some issues.

93 Fox · Answer

Yeah, that's so true... The higher you rev (on average), the quicker your engine ages. I wish cars didn't just have odometers, but also total rev counters (i.e. 100k miles averaging 2500 rpm is a lot different from 100k miles averaging 3500 rpm).

Rob Guenther · Answer

Maybe this is why diesels last longer... their pistons and shafts and rodsare thicker to handle the added pressure, but they don't have to deal withthe higher rotational speeds.

dave · Answer

I think that if you don't rev the VW engines then that could hurt them too! JMHO

83 GTi engine in my 83 Audi 4KS with 221K miles and I don't "baby" it either!

later, dave Reminder........ Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them, and you have their shoes. Frieda Norris

TDI : "safe" RPM ?

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