tdi pistons

gR@HaM · Aug 6, 2009

Tonight I noticed that each of the piston heads on my tdi have a single valve imprinted, #s 1 + 4 and 2 + 3 mirroring eachover.
Is this normal? Or just a coincidence that the markings are in this pattern and a result of knocking (incorrect valve clearance? Wrong gasket?).

Also while I'm on the topic, I will be putting the head back together again soon(ish) was thinking it might be a good idea to lubricate everything within the head and cylinders with engine oil and then manually turn the engine over first before firing her up. Good idea/bad idea?
Thanks!!

Galen · Aug 6, 2009

Not normal.
There's no valve impact marks on 3 of my pistons.
No. 4 is no longer a piston and is modern art.

battenberg · Aug 6, 2009

remember to adjust your tappets when you put the head back on 0.2mm, sounds very much like they wer out, it wont hurt to oil everything on reassembly.. it can only help for the first firing of the engine...

david451 · Aug 6, 2009

gR@HaM said:
Tonight I noticed that each of the piston heads on my tdi have a single valve imprinted, #s 1 + 4 and 2 + 3 mirroring eachover.
Is this normal? Or just a coincidence that the markings are in this pattern and a result of knocking (incorrect valve clearance? Wrong gasket?).

Also while I'm on the topic, I will be putting the head back together again soon(ish) was thinking it might be a good idea to lubricate everything within the head and cylinders with engine oil and then manually turn the engine over first before firing her up. Good idea/bad idea?
Thanks!!

You always lub all the bits valve stems etc with a little oil, once you start it up let it run for a little bit whilst you bleed the cooling system then redo your valve clearances. If you think that your valves have contacted the pistons at some time best to check the push rods aint bent a little bit.

Knocking isnt valve clearance issues, its a term used usually when the timing is out or it has a faulty injector "diesel knock".

gR@HaM · Aug 7, 2009

battenberg said:
remember to adjust your tappets when you put the head back on 0.2mm, sounds very much like they wer out, it wont hurt to oil everything on reassembly.. it can only help for the first firing of the engine...

Cheers mate, will do

gR@HaM · Aug 7, 2009

david451 said:
You always lub all the bits valve stems etc with a little oil, once you start it up let it run for a little bit whilst you bleed the cooling system then redo your valve clearances. If you think that your valves have contacted the pistons at some time best to check the push rods aint bent a little bit.

Knocking isnt valve clearance issues, its a term used usually when the timing is out or it has a faulty injector "diesel knock".

Okay will check the pushrods thanks, never noticed any were bent but will give 'em a spin tomorrow..

battenberg · Aug 7, 2009

remember the rule of nines when adjusting your tappets..

1+8 = 9
2+7 = 9
4+5 = 9
etc....

turn the engine by hand using a socket on the crank pully.
set valve 1 (the one closest to the front of the car) to fully open (pressed right down) then adjust tappet 8,

then set valve 2 to fully open and do tappet 7 etc...

Remember to put a chalk mark on each one when it's done, and check them once again with your feeler once you've done the full set...

tdi pistons

gR@HaM

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Galen

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battenberg

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david451

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gR@HaM

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gR@HaM

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battenberg

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