There are some true engineering marvels of the automotive world on the market, just like the Bugatti Veyron, previous System 1 racers such because the Lotus 78 and even humble metropolis automobiles just like the Scion IQ can have some fairly unimaginable engineering inside. Now, a teardown of a diesel engine produced by Volkswagen within the early 2000s has confirmed why it’s probably the most intricate and sophisticated items of engineering on the market.
The engine in query isn’t one thing mundane just like the three-cylinder diesel you would possibly discover in a automotive just like the Polo. As a substitute, it’s the big V10 diesel that VW made for the Touareg SUV and the Phaeton luxurious sedan.
The 4.9-liter, twin-turbo, V10 diesel engine is one we’ve lusted over quite a bit right here at Jalopnik, after all of the Phaeton is a automotive that we’ll discover any excuse to speak about. Now, YouTube channel HumbleMechanic has dug into the workings of this mighty motor to disclose why it’s probably the most complicated road-going engines ever made.
To do that, the crew bought a VW Touareg that was destined for the scrapheap and ripped out its huge engine. They then set about taking it to items so as to uncover among the quirks and tech that make this engine sing.
The teardown begins with the removing of all of the hoses and housing that surrounds the principle block of the engine. Within the course of, HumbleMechanic uncovers all kinds of points with the engine, like transmission fluid leaks, engine oil leaks and harm that may have value greater than $10,000 to repair and convey the motor again to life.
So as an alternative, it’s develop into a web-based science experiment wanting into what HumbleMechanic calls the “least serviceable engine ever made.” The explanation for its powerful popularity turns into clear as soon as a valve cowl is eliminated and the timing gear is revealed. That’s proper, this motor has timing gear as an alternative of a timing belt, as Motor1 explains:
Like most aged German-sourced motors, this one, at first look, appears to be like like a hunk of steel coated in hoses and oil stains. However look nearer, and also you’ll see not one of the regular equipment usually discovered on the entrance of the engine—issues like the ability steering pump, the alternator, or the A/C compressor—are lacking. They’ve been moved alongside the block or within the valley of the V form. As a substitute of being powered by a serpentine belt, they’re powered by steel gears behind the engine.
The V10 TDI makes use of gears to drive its timing, slightly than a belt or a series. It additionally makes use of gears to drive its equipment. That is some actual race automotive stuff, utilized in a decidedly pedestrian SUV. Volkswagen was on one other degree with this within the mid-2000s.
It’s at this level that the explanation for the engine’s demise is found: a worn cam shaft. The shaft on either side of the V10 is worn, which may have led to the misfires or loss in energy that its former proprietor reported. The repair for this problem would reportedly value greater than $3,500 provides HumbleMechanic, so as an alternative of stopping to handle the issue, he continues to tear it to items.
After eradicating a number of extra parts, the alternator is uncovered, which leads the host to say that the motor is “not serviceable in any significant capability, however it’s rattling cool.” Different elements just like the consumption manifolds come off, revealing all types of gross buildup via years of use, and the entrance cowl is taken off to disclose all types of cooling and oil leaks.
It’s an enchanting dive into the workings of this ridiculous engine, which lasted in manufacturing for greater than six years. In the long run, the big motor was fitted to simply the VW Phaeton between 2003 and 2007, and the VW Touareg from 2002 till 2006 earlier than it was killed off by the German automaker.
Now, VW doesn’t supply a single diesel engine for patrons right here in America and European prospects solely have a three-liter V6 diesel engine to decide on in the event that they’re that manner inclined.
