Rookie DIY engineer! Servicing help please. 1.6TD JX

[Mayor Goldie Wilson]

Hello! I have decided to undertake the servicing of my 1988 1.6 TD caravelle my self.
It was serviced last year by Volkspares and has not covered over 8000 miles since.....
I am reasonably competent(!)

So far my list is to: change oil, oil filter, air filter?, fuel filter?.
Drain the coolant and replace, any particular antifreeze?
What type of oil?
i will check tyres and brakes - but i dont know exactly what for other than excessive wear.

....... anything i should add?
do i need to do anything with glow plugs?

thanks.

[Fritz]

Both the Bentley and the Haynes service manuals have service check lists to follow, and if need be give you an idea of what to look for and how to replace service items.

I'd suggest using 15/40 non synthetic motor oil.

Glow plugs can be checked if cold starting problems are apparent.

One tip I can give you is to fill the fuel filter (with Diesel) as much as possible before re fitting, it will save having to turn the motor over endlessly.


Regards

Fritz,,,,,,,,,,

[camper]

Semi synthetic oil. 15-40 diesel engine antifreeze is not specific to G12 spec halfords 2year or 5 is okay oil filter & airfilter + fuel filter. .

[Red Westie]

Hi
Off the top of my head....

Oil filter
Air filter (may last till next service)
Diesel filter (fill with diesel oil)
Make sure they are all quality german parts (Bosch, Hengst, Mann) etc

That you use a specific TURBO DIESEL oil (15W40) and not just normal engine oil that covers TD Diesels AS WELL. These specific oils deal much better with the sooty deposits and extra cleaning needed in a diesel engine.

Tappet clearances: engine warm
Inlet: 0.20-0.30mm
Exhaust: 0.40-0.50mm
Adjusted by replacing shims of smaller or larger thickness
Special 'C' spanner for pushing down followers and shim extractor pliers.
New cork gasket and end rubbers.

Brakes: you could simply choose to inspect the linings but if you are doing this properly (if it were mine) I would be checking to see if the pads are moving freely in the front brake calipers (push back the pistons, remove clean and re-grease if necessay.
Remove rear drums, clean out, check for wheel cylinders leaking, refit and re-adjust using a bent flat blade scewdriver through the centre top hold in the back plate (3-4 click clearance)
Flexible brake pipe condition
Brake fluid change every 2 years even if it appears to be clean (brake fluid is hygroscopic, it attracts water so lowers the boiling point) DOT 4

Check re-grease front wheel bearings.
Check ball joints, track rod ends and wishbone mounting rubbers.
Check gearbox oil is just below the bung line
locks and door checks oiled and greased and correctly operating
All the lights work, incl self cancel on indicators
Driveshaft and steering rack boots not spilt
Shock absorber condition (carry out bounce test as well as visual)
Road spring condition (broken coils)
Brake/fuel lines not excessively corroded
Tyre depths and condition (uneven tyre wear)
Hand brake cable and rods (lube as necessary) adjust lever travel after adjusting rear drum adjusters.
Horn works
Seatbelts
Dash lights
All ancillaries (blower controls/interior lights/cig lighter/radio/seat belts/window winders/horn/seat mechanisms etc etc
Spare wheel release mechanism, spare tyre pressure and condition
Tyre pressures
Rubber pipes to expansion bottles and fuel tank
Alternater and fan belt condition
Antifreeze every two years G12 or equivelent
Power steering fluid levels
Grease sliding door rolers etc
Wipers for juddering/wiping and if split
Washer aim (washer bottle top up front and rear
Headlamp aim and pattern

AND THEN.. a thorough road test at varying speeds/conditions to check for noises/correct operation etc clutch/brakes/steering/suspension and handling.
Wash and valet lol
Martin

[camper]

On diesel engines G12 spec antifreeze is not a requirement.

[Mayor Goldie Wilson]

Thanks for all that - Its passed the MOT with no probs, so i will get on with servicing.