Hi all,

I am contemplating buying a 59 plate Octavia 1.9td pd Elegance estate however I have been a bit put off about hearing stories about total engine failures on the later versions of these engines. Reading various forums it looks like pretty much everything with this engine could be at risk.

Before I part with my money can anybody put my mind at rest

Thanks in advance

I haven't heard of such stories.

Is this the 1.9 BXE engine?

Are you thinking of the 2.0 PD?

Phil

Hello Phil,

yes this is the 1.9 bxe engine.

regards

tony

The 1.9 engine is bullet proof. Ive had a 1.9 110 leon my dads had a 1.9 a4 and got a mrk 1 fabia vrs. Ive never heard of one failing completly. Id hapely advise the engine, power full torquey and very well build. Parts a readaly availible as its a very common engine in the vag range.

I wouldnt be put off with a few horror storys. Just got to remeber most people use forums for problems not to praise stuff. Si will read more bad points than good points.

The 1.9 TDi PD105 VAG engine is one of the most respected and reliable engines out there.

OK, it's a little long in the tooth now and is accused of being agricultural compared to more modern common rail diesels but durability on a well maintained 1.9 should be the least of your worries.

That's how I understood it that it was pretty much THE most reliable VAG TDI. I have a 1.9 BXE. Runs very well and yes it doesn't compare to a modern CR engine but it is a bit more refined than the PD130 ASZ I used to have. With a DSG gearbox it feels very smooth and refined.

Phil

Thanks all, ref the effected engines the forums i am looking at say its only the bxe versions which are effected.

regards

Tony

SWMBO has a 1.9pd in her 57 plate Altea and it's not missed a beat in nearly 50k. only thing I've heard negative about it is the hot start issue when the starter motor is on the way out. Most people who've done loads more miles say they're bullet proof if serviced regularly.

Not sure if late ones had a DPF or not as that might be a problem if it has 1. what 'nasties' have you read about them?

No 1.9 engine is fitted with a dpf to my knoladge. As the engine was released well before eu regs were released so it doesnt have to conform to emision regs. Thats to my knoladge. I may be wrong.

The only very occasional major issue that seems to crop up in the 1.9 TDI is worn out cam lobes.

This only seems to happen on high mileage examples, and even then, I suspect it only happens on engines that have been run on incorrect oil for prolonged periods. These engines should only be run on VW 507.00 spec oil (or 505.01 at a push)

Most oil you look at on the shelf doesn't meet this spec, and a lot of people just buy oil on viscosity alone.

Edited 7 February, 201313 yr by booke23

No 1.9 engine is fitted with a dpf to my knoladge. As the engine was released well before eu regs were released so it doesnt have to conform to emision regs. Thats to my knoladge. I may be wrong.

You're correct, none of the 1.9 TDI's have DPF's even the late ones.

John

No Skoda 1.9 TDI's have a DPF but it is interesting to note that the same engine fitted to some Golf's do have DPF's fitted.

Really i didnt realise they were dpf less another reason to buy one. I currently have a 2.2tdci mondeo but my dmf is on its way out and i cant justify the fraud price to replace it. Is it correct that you can replace the dmf on an octavia with a smf?

regards

tony

Yes, lots of people on here are now running SMF's with good results.

I've been in 1.9Pd octavia's with 400k on the clock, still run perfectly!

My new taxi has 115k on it & that's it just going on the road as a taxi, been a motorway maintance car for the past 4 years.

I expect to keep it till its got 250/300k

G

Done 90,000 on my '56. Sweet as a nut.

Thanks all, looks like I will be going ahead with it then, its a 59 plate with 51k on the clock but looks like the mileage wont be an issue reading these messages.

Regards

Tony

Ive never heard of any major issues with a pd 105 1.9 tdi BXE engine. As already said its about as safer bet as you can get.

Only thing I would say is. Depending on what you are used to its not very quick Nothing wrong with it and of course once it gets going its fine but it wont set your heart rate going when you press the "fast" pedal Also its only 5 gears not 6 which I miss on the motorway but its not a big issues at all.

With no dpf issues and a proven track record its a very good choice. Especially if you are doing a short commute/school run.

Its a safer bet than the 2.0 pd140 which does have some known engine problems but again not many and its still a good engine.

What does BXE means?

'B' stands for Best,

'X' means multiply, as in 'best, best, best....etc.'

'E' is for Ever

I was reading around on the same topic the other day regarding the BXE lump as I have one in my 4x4.

Some of the other Vag forums have a few reports of them putting the no.2 or 4 conrod through the block. The thing to remember is that there are probably more 1.9 Pd engines on the road than just about anything else and as per any engine there will be isolated failures. I have no worries about mine which is currently on about 55k miles. I'm planning to keep it will at least 100k and possibly much longer as I can't really see there being a viable 4x4 replacement in 5 years time that won't cost allot of money.

I think they are, whilst being a little agricultural compared to some of the newer designs the most reliable diesel you can buy at the moment. Just make sure you run it on the correct oil to protect the cam lobes and it should last to 300k no problem.

Mark.

Just converted from a PD170 Vrs to a PD105 and got to say is not that bad, much better round town and agree 6th gear would be nice.

I brought in on the basis it would be reliable and has no DPF.

Yes it is slower in comparison to the Vrs but in the real world it is fine TBH

It's a very nice engine with a DSG. Feels very smooth and the "lack" of power is made up for by the DSG. Just half press the throttle and it really flies!

Phil

I would imagine a DSG would really make the most of it. The 4x4 has a 6 speed manual (only 105Pd with a 6 gear manual to my knoledge) but the 6th is about the same as 5th on a 2wd model. 1st, 2nd and 3rd are much lower than normal which is great for offroad and towing but there is allot of gear changing in normal driving in town. I tend to pull away in 2nd allot as it is only a bit higher than 1st on my Octy I.

Cracking engine, never felt underpowered despite having only 105hp. Had a MK5 Golf Bluemotion Match for about 18 months 27k hard miles and never gave me an ounce of bother mechanically despite having the dreaded DPF....in fact mine never did a forced regen in all the time i had it.

It's a peach of an engine. OK, probably not the most sophisticated lump out there, but with sophistication comes problems. I've owned mine for 18 months and 28k miles and I couldn't be happier with it.

My commute is around 100 miles a day and it copes admirably whilst returning high 50's to early 60's mpg.

I don't think you'll be disappointed. Hope this helps & good luck.

FP