I have a 1.9 TDi PD and this is the first time I have owned a diesel engined car. It seems to take a long time to warmup from cold , around 4 -5 miles constant driving before it reads 90 degrees at todays temperature this morning. I did notice last year when the outside temperature was around 0 degrees it was taking about 11 miles constant driving before it reached 90 degrees. Do diesel engines take longer to warmup, or is there possibly a problem with the thermostat (If it has one) ?

Yes diesals do take longer to warm up, or at least by the time I get to work the furb temp guage won't have moved whilst if I use the octy it will. hth

The reason being that diesels are more efficient and so waste less energy as heat.

Hence more miles to the gallon. Some cars have an auxilliary electric or diesel burning heater to help warm the interior whilst the engine is still warming up in cold weather.

There's the greater efficiency, but also the fact there's a lot more metal on a diesel engine (why diesel cars weigh more) and it takes longer to warm up that much more metal! My drive is about 3.5 miles to work, but it's quite hilly around here. The needle usually gets halfway to 90 degrees, in my petrol Passat I used to have it'd easily reach the 90degree mark on the same journey (well, it did after I changed the thermostat anyway).

Thats why heated seats are useful on diesel cars

my 1.2 would be @ 90 within 2 miles. My golf takes at least 5-10 miles before @ 90

Yep, diesels are a PITA on those cold frosty mornings.

At least I'm not like the pen15 down my road who sits there revving at about 3000 rpm until the screen demists.

I remember earlier in the year when we had snow, the temperature gauge on my octy 2 tdi would fluctuate (from nothing to 90 and down again) when travelling the 11 miles to the office. Must admit it was a little unnerving to say the least !