Can smeone tell me why you have to use a specific oil for the PD engines that I can only get from my dealer? It means must always keep some in the car as apparently using anything else can have dire consequences. Seems strange for such a simple basic sohc 8v block.

Cheers.

Only from your dealer eh?

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I think it is something to do with the way the cams operate the injectors.....I remember something about it having to withstand the high loads of the cam lobes against the injector units......

Most oil manufacturers now make an oil suitable for the PD engines - look on the label for something that says "VW specification 505.01" or "505.1"

You shouldn't have a problem finding it from any Halfords, Motor World, etc but it's likely that petrol station shops won't have anything suitable. Keep a 1L bottle in the car to top up in emergencies and a 5L bottle (or two) at home for topping up at regular checks.

I think it is something to do with the way the cams operate the injectors.....I remember something about it having to withstand the high loads of the cam lobes against the injector units......

Yup, unlike a common rail system which pressurizes at one point and then distributes via piping to the individual injectors, each 'unit' on a PD is both a pump and injector and so the camshaft has to exert a helluva (technical, there) lot of pressure on the cam lobes.