Diesel Engine Question?

sonny73
sonny73 Posts: 2,203
edited October 2009 in The bottom bracket
I know nothing about cars (as I am a bike man as if you hadn't guessed) that is apart from how to drive them and the basics or running one.
I've always driven petrol cars and I'm looking at a Volvo V40 1.9D, its done 135k and what I was hoping to find out is 135,000 miles a concern a 02 plate diesel engine?
I reckon on keeping it for 3 years and doing around 70k in it, the car as a whole is in great condition, tyres, interior etc.
Cheers

Comments

  • skyd0g
    skyd0g Posts: 2,540
    Diesels run for miles (generally longer than petrol engines) - 135k is only just run-in (as long as it's been well looked-after & serviced elsewhere). So, I wouldn't worry about the mileage. :wink:
    Cycling weakly
  • gkerr4
    gkerr4 Posts: 3,408
    same rules apply as a petrol car

    has it been serviced and generally looked after?

    the thing about diesels being "high mileage eaters" is a load of crap IMO - it ended when manufacturers started eeking 200Bhp out of 2.0l diesels and trying to make them more petrol-like. This makes then run even higher compression, and running higher levels of Boost pressure than they ever used to.

    In addtion you have the 100,000rpm+ spinning turbo itself to worry about - has it been replaced? i'd expect it to have been at 135,000 to be honest.
  • Mister W
    Mister W Posts: 791
    +1

    If it's been properly serviced (check the service log) and not abused then you should get 250,000 miles or more out of a diesel engine.
  • prawny
    prawny Posts: 5,440
    Definately check if the turbos been replaced, I've been told between 80 and 100k is normal.
    Saracen Tenet 3 - 2015 - Dead - Replaced with a Hack Frame
    Voodoo Bizango - 2014 - Dead - Hit by a car
    Vitus Sentier VRS - 2017
  • Rockhopper
    Rockhopper Posts: 503
    Engine may well be great but the rest of the car will feel tired.
  • skinson
    skinson Posts: 362
    Engine may well be great but the rest of the car will feel tired.
    +1 I concur interior, suspension, steering, brakes, all have done the same mileage give or take a set of discs and pads here and there. If the coolant hasn't been changed at least 3 times in that mileage then you could be looking at head gasket failure too. personally I'd be looking for something with less miles. There are plenty of lower mileage cars out there.
    Dave
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    As above, diesel fuel has an inherent lubricating quality* so the engine itself will be barely worn, but various other components could be clapped out and expensive to replace on a Volvo. I'd want to know about the turbo, cambelt and clutch at the very least.

    In the good old days I had a non turbo diesel Cavalier. 0-60 time measured in days, but the engine was under so little strain that it would have easily lasted 300k miles. Lack of acceleration meant I got 50k miles from one set of Michelin tyres. Pity the bodywork was disintegrating around it.

    * as you will discover if you cycle through a diesel spillage on a roundabout.
  • Buckled_Rims
    Buckled_Rims Posts: 1,648
    keef66 wrote:
    As above, diesel fuel has an inherent lubricating quality* so the engine itself will be barely worn, but various other components could be clapped out and expensive to replace on a Volvo.

    Totally agree. Diesel fuel is an oil and it lubs the engine. Also after a long journey and arrive home, leave the engine running for a minute to keep the turbo lubricated as this helps turbo life. I think the Volvo is a French Peugeot engine (?) so you should get 200k out of it with luck (think taxi mileage)

    I am a fan of Diesels as usually the engine is much simpler then petrol and lower revving. Mine does 70mph @ 2000rpm.

    Also, in an emergency you can lub your bike chain with diesel :wink:
    CAAD9
    Kona Jake the Snake
    Merlin Malt 4
  • Smokin Joe
    Smokin Joe Posts: 2,706
    Never take any notice of the milage on a car, go purely on condition. All else being equal, above average milage is better for a car than below average, the engine spends most of it's life at the correct temperature.

    My BiL and his family have had three Volvo's between them, they still run two and all have exceeded 300,000 miles.
  • sonny73
    sonny73 Posts: 2,203
    Really appreciate all the replies chaps, many thanks.

    I had a good look over it (it had just come in the garage today and was yet to be valeted) and bar a few dirt marks, a bit of hanging material under the glove compartment and a small nick on the dash (all things they said they normally sort prior to putting on sale), it was in fantastic condition.
    The foot wells, seats etc. looked brand new and it ran fantastically so I think I may grab it in light of the mileage not being a real issue.

    If only I knew as much about cars as I do bikes, or for that matter I was prepared to spend as much on them as I do on bikes :wink:

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