Jump to content

1.9tdi improvements


BEN99W

Recommended Posts

Hi

 

Ive just bought a Roomy with the 1.9 lump in it. It's my first diesel (I know Im late to the party) but I was wondering if there are any changes worth making to improve performance and reliability. Im tempted by a remap if anyone has any recommendations either way. Would this be safe on a 75k mile car? Also do people remove the EGR function?

 

The service history has become a little sketchy in its later years so I plan to do a thorough service and this may well include a cambelt/water pump renewal as I can find no documented evidence it has been done. Are there any particular frailties I should also look out for?

 

Cheers

 

Ben

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello Ben,

Yes, see my thoughts in my reply to your "hello" post, re worthwhile mods.

As I stated there, that full cambelt, pulleys and waterpump kit definitely wants doing at 72,000 miles (my local garageman did it for around £300 I recall).

 

I wouldn't bother doing EGR delete as emissions stuff is being checked more closely at MOT, same with catalyst core removal.   

 

I get by with cheapest supermarket diesel, plus Millers Ecomax fuel additive.  Averaging just over 62mpg (winter), summer around 65mpg.  

 

And don't bother swapping from paper element air filter to an oiled cotton product, Darkside Developments at Barnsley (they did the re-map) warned against this, they are very knowledgeable on modding the VAG diesels, said the oil film transfers onto the very fine wires of the MAF (mass air flow) sensor, and they're not easy to clean.

 

I believe Trevor at York (Beefy) now has the heavily modified dark grey Vroomster previously owned and modded by Barrie (Johnnie Five), that has all sorts of stuff inc suspension lowering, different dampers, rear antiroll bar, fancy brakes, different front seats, HID headlights kit, front-mounted intercooler; I find keeping the car as standard as possible, ie. low-key, avoids unwanted attention, whether from police or neer-do-wells.  Also for ride comfort's sake. Standard intercooler is that LH lower intake, it hides in the wing on the driver's side.

Also any mods need clearing with/declaring to your insurers.  So I've stuck with standard wheels, tyres, brakes etc, though gone for Goodyear Eco Performance tyres, for quiet running. The one minor mod was to get the standard front suspension's "console" rubber bushes replaced with stiffer Mehle units, makes the steering a little sharper, though chatters on broken surfaces.

I have made a black fabric cover for the gap between rear seat tops and parcel shelf, it is clipped/glued/clamped to the front lip of the parcel shelf, and drapes forward over the rear seat backrests.

I got my remap done at about 70,000 miles, my re-mappers did a thorough engine health check before agreeing to do it, they wanted to ensure it had had a good service history, especially the oil changes frequency and quality, and a recent oil and filter change. And I agreed a % power increase ceiling with the insurers and re-mappers.  I use Chris Knott, via here, there's a Members' code that should get you a keener premium.  See Insurance section.

Happy to help with any queries you may have.

Richard

Edited by RichardatWakefield
Add more useful advice.
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Richard

 

I responded to your welcome post, but probably more useful to confine it to the Roomster section. Where did you get your remap done. That mpg figure is great.

 

I was also toying with having a terraclean done to clear all the muck out of the engine, as any problems my friends and relatives have had with diesels seem to be as a result of build up. Any thoughts?

 

Ben

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Ben,

The remap was done by Darkside Developments, based in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.

There are bound to be re-mappers nearer to you, I picked these because I'd heard mention of them, and that they are very experienced with the VW Group diesels, but also because they're quite close to where I live. I had to make two visits, the first to do the aforementioned "engine health check", which included a preliminary dynamometer run to establish the engine output prior to any mods. the second, also pre-booked visit, took about 4 or 5 hours in total, but is usually quicker, their mapper/programmer was away in Canada, so was sending stuff back and forth, they would apply it, do a dyno run, send back comments, he would revise stuff, re-send, and so on.

 

Don't know what Terraclean is. If the variable-vanes turbo is working correctly, you should be starting to get some boost from about 1200 rpm, with more oomph from maybe 1600 or 1700, and full boost from 2000rpm.

There's quite a lot on here about the "Mr Muscle" turbo cleaning treatment for dealing with sticking variable- vane turbos, never done it, and as stated before, I just use supermarket fuel plus a dosage of Millers Ecopower Plus (can never remember the exact name; other firms like Wynns do a range of different additives to counter specific problems, whereas Millers (and probably also Redex) just do one product.  I've been using the Millers oils and diesel fuel additive since 1988, in a total of 7 different diesel cars.

 

I'm a self-taught economy driving specialist, starting out with Honda 50cc step-through bikes, upon which I used to cover Sheffield to Cardiff several times a year, all non-motorway, and over 200 miles.  Can offer you further advice on this skill if required, via PM.

 

Hope that helps.

Richard

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
On 09/01/2018 at 15:20, BEN99W said:

Hi

 

Ive just bought a Roomy with the 1.9 lump in it. It's my first diesel (I know Im late to the party) but I was wondering if there are any changes worth making to improve performance and reliability. Im tempted by a remap if anyone has any recommendations either way. Would this be safe on a 75k mile car? Also do people remove the EGR function?

 

The service history has become a little sketchy in its later years so I plan to do a thorough service and this may well include a cambelt/water pump renewal as I can find no documented evidence it has been done. Are there any particular frailties I should also look out for?

 

Cheers

 

Ben

I still miss my 2007 1.9 TDi Roomster - fantastic car and, along with the Yeti, the last of the characterful Skoda's.

 

I bought it new and then had it Revo'd (by the supplying Skoda dealer!). It transformed the car and hardly affected MPG. The 1.6 CR TDi Roomster that followed was never a patch on the 1.9 lump.

 

Can't comment on any modifications, other than a Remap, which I would heartily recommend:thumbup:

 

I've owned 3 remapped cars (Jabba, Revo and Shark) and have had no issues (other than increased insurance premiums) with any of them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks all

 

A remap is definitely on the cards once Ive determined the integrity of the cambelt. I think the nearest to me is AMD who seem to have a decent reputation. 

 

Ive also cleaned out my EGR and changed the oil just to be sure it has the right spec oil in it.

 

So far Im loving Roomster ownership.

 

Ben

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi again Ben,

Did I mention that I've tried the "plus x-%" better H7 headlight bulbs, slight improvement but not enough. They now sit in the boot, you're welcome to them!  Eventually went for a London Colour HID kit, my local garageman fitted them, cost about £200 labour, transformation!

And did I say that this is my second re-mapped Skoda, first was my 1.4tdi Fabia Mk1.  As Panther says, no reliability issues, as the extra oomph feeds in gradually, and fades down similarly, so no untoward sudden extra stresses on the engine or its ancillaries.  Just needs regular oil and filters changes, and the cambelt and water pump and tensioner pulleys changed at 72k miles intervals, don't forget fuel filter and paper-element air filter. And find a long hill where you can floor it in 3rd every now and then.

Oh, and don't forget to run the aircon weekly for about 10mins, to keep the seals lubricated.

Enjoy!

Richard.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 1/26/2018 at 10:01, RichardatWakefield said:

Hi again Ben,

Did I mention that I've tried the "plus x-%" better H7 headlight bulbs, slight improvement but not enough. They now sit in the boot, you're welcome to them!  Eventually went for a London Colour HID kit, my local garageman fitted them, cost about £200 labour, transformation!

And did I say that this is my second re-mapped Skoda, first was my 1.4tdi Fabia Mk1.  As Panther says, no reliability issues, as the extra oomph feeds in gradually, and fades down similarly, so no untoward sudden extra stresses on the engine or its ancillaries.  Just needs regular oil and filters changes, and the cambelt and water pump and tensioner pulleys changed at 72k miles intervals, don't forget fuel filter and paper-element air filter. And find a long hill where you can floor it in 3rd every now and then.

Oh, and don't forget to run the aircon weekly for about 10mins, to keep the seals lubricated.

Enjoy!

Richard.

Thanks again Richard 

 

Yes the head lights seem to be as bad as people make them out to be. Ill have to do something about them.

 

Thanks for your other advice. Ill certainly maintain the servicing correctly. What's the long hill in 3rd gear for? Is that not diesel particulate filter clearing? I don't think I have one on this engine.

 

Ben

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Ben.  Like Pinkpanther, I still miss my 2009 1,9TDI Roomster Scout.  Probably the best car I have ever owned, with one of the best diesel engines ever made.

 

Definitely no DPF on yours.  The long hill in 3rd gear thing is to give the engine, injectors and everything else a good clear out - which improves performance and reduces emissions.  All diesel engines benefit from an occasional thrashing.

 

Enjoy your Roomster mate.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Last night I had to drive along country roads in the rain and it became apparent just how bad those headlights are. I was having to toodle along at 30 like an oap. So a HID upgrade is a must.

 

I've also had the cam belt done now. I also reset the gear linkage. Finally I also added an android stereo which looks like a standard Skoda unit. It's great to have dab and Spotify while at the wheel. I also added a dongle to the OBDII port so I can run the Torque app too.

 

Ben

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to BRISKODA. Please note the following important links Terms of Use. We have a comprehensive Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.