new cars - direct injection reliability?

[funcrew]

I'm looking at a new econobox for a DD - am inclined to get one this year that still has conventional port injection, due to the extra complication of the upcoming more powerful/economical direct injection. I know early VW DI had some issues - is DI intrinsically less reliable/durable than old-tech port injection, due to the high pressure fuel pump, injectors and all that? Or is the DI tech worked out enough by now that these components will last for 200K+?

[blocke]

I've got an 06 GTI 2.0T, it uses direct injection. I only have 53k on it, so I cannot speak for long-term reliability..but from what I have already experienced, direct injection cars seem to suffer from bad carbon and gunk buildup on the intake valves..because there is no gas flowing over them to clean them. On my car, a common mod is to install a catch can to filter out the PCV system.

As for HPFP, my specific build year is plagued with issues to to improper camshaft hardening, that can lead to HPFP failure....but that's specific to VW. I hear that BMW has issues with their HPFP's as well, but no first hand knowledge on this.

I feel that overall, the tech is not up there reliability-wise yet.

[RainierHooker]

DI isn't anything new, Daimler-Benz was using it in Aircraft engines way back in the 1930s. In similar uses ever since, DI has proven very reliable.
The primary problems seem to stem from the fact that the injectors themselves are subjected to all the heat/pressure from the combustion chamber, and if they are built cheaply the injectors simply break. I remember having issues with the injectors in my family's old VW TDI (read: cheap), but it was a tired motor with well over 150k of abuse. The current range of DI seems to be much more robust, and so long as it ain't cheap, it should last.
YMMV, but I would not hesitate to buy a current DI motor.

[Jaxx_]

DI isn't anything new, Daimler-Benz was using it in Aircraft engines way back in the 1930s. In similar uses ever since, DI has proven very reliable.
The primary problems seem to stem from the fact that the injectors themselves are subjected to all the heat/pressure from the combustion chamber, and if they are built cheaply the injectors simply break. I remember having issues with the injectors in my family's old VW TDI (read: cheap), but it was a tired motor with well over 150k of abuse. The current range of DI seems to be much more robust, and so long as it ain't cheap, it should last.
YMMV, but I would not hesitate to buy a current DI motor.

I agree. Not to mention the fuel advantage from DI would push me towards them these days. Manufactures seem to be going that route as well with many of their cars.

[b*saint]

How reliable is a diesel?

[e30e]

No new cars are designed to last 200k, regardless of what manufacturers will tell you.

As for DI, Hyundai is doing a pretty good job with it, your looking for a good cheap DD, the sonata or the elantra are very good choices.

[evandael]

How reliable is a diesel?

serious question?

many factors are at play but i reckon lower stressed internal components (lesser operational rpm range) has a huge role. properly cared for (quality fuel) and maintained, diesel engines last upwards of 300,000 miles.


as far as DI engines go now, the carbon buildup issue seems like a small trade-off for increased efficiency, driveability, and performance (byproducts of the higher compression ratios allowed, some exceeding 12:1). just run some seafoam every 50K and there shouldnt be any issue!

i lust after the newer porsche flat 6's with DI..

[tjts1]

Just don't get a VW.

[Ratbastage]

VAG product has issues.

Cheapshit cams
Cheapshit pump followers
Garbage vent systems

2500 to 3500 bucks if it eats a pump follower and a cam. Common problem, seems to happen around 120K or so. 3500 dollar repair on a car worth what, 3 grand? I see a lot of Jettas and Passats getting crushed soon.

Why are they still building interference belt motors? Pretty much everyone else has gone or is going back to chains. Moot point though, they are getting where they wont run long enough to need belt replacement.

[z31maniac]

The MZR engine in my Speed3 is DI. The only problem people are running into is the lack of headroom in the high pressure fuel pump.

So basically any tuning + intake or anything needs a drastically upgraded HPFP. The injectors are beasts however.

I've also read something about carbon build-up on intake valves as well.

[Julien]

get a 2009+ gti with the TSI motor.. stay away from 2009+ TDIs until they figure out the fuel pump issues with those though

[b*saint]

Julien is your last name Assange?