T5 speedo calibration

**gregozedobe** · 29-01-2009, 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by Transporter

I use the Moreys Diesel Engine Smoke Killer every time I fill up (I don't believe that it does much to improve the fuel economy but it reduces the smoke).

Goodonya ! That's what I like to (not) see

I also changed the air filter at 40,000km and it was very dirty (due at 120,000km or 4 Years).

Interesting, are your driving conditions particularly dirty or dusty ? I was going to keep an eye on the "% blockage" indicator on the air cleaner housing to decide when to change mine (on 38,000 Km ATM). Was yours showing much blockage at 40,000 ?

**Seano** · 30-01-2009, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by gregozedobe

Interesting, are your driving conditions particularly dirty or dusty ? I was going to keep an eye on the "% blockage" indicator on the air cleaner housing to decide when to change mine (on 38,000 Km ATM). Was yours showing much blockage at 40,000 ?

Greg.....I wouldn't take too much notice of the %blockage indicator. They are notoriously unreliable. I spend ages watching mine once only to find out that the internal rubber membrane that triggers it had come away from the body.....plus the internal pressures that are required to trigger it are so spectatcular that you'd notice the impact of a partially clogged filter in the declining fuel economy before the thing even triggered.

I made the extra effort to fix the indicator in my T4 (dash mounted unlike the T5's) which was successful. But seriously fiddly and not recommended unless you have good hand eye coordination, paitience and thre hours to kill. I can trigger it by sucking on the line to the air box. But it has never triggered 'naturally'.

I changed the last air filter out after 60,000 country based kms and got an immediate improvement in fuel economy.....so the filter must've been a bit on the clogged side. This time...I'll pull the filter every service and give it a gentle tap and blow out and see how it goes.

**Transporter** · 30-01-2009, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by gregozedobe

Goodonya ! That's what I like to (not) see

Interesting, are your driving conditions particularly dirty or dusty ? I was going to keep an eye on the "% blockage" indicator on the air cleaner housing to decide when to change mine (on 38,000 Km ATM). Was yours showing much blockage at 40,000 ?

Indicator didn't show anything, so I went and checked the air filter, since 40,000km is reasonable interval and on most cars the air filter is very dirty by than. The maintenance section in the owner’s manual says check the air filter at 60,000km, replace at 120,000km, mine would last till 120,000km, it would be blocked by 60,000km anyway.
Most of my driving is Adelaide southern suburbs and city. Don't go by indicator on the air filter box - remove air filter and check it visually. The air filter is not that expensive. The fuel filter cost over $100.00 that's due at 120,000km and
I will not replace it earlier, unless it’s needed.

**gregozedobe** · 30-01-2009, 05:07 PM

Hmmm, thanks for that useful advice guys. I do mostly pretty clean highway work btween Canberra and Sydney. I might replace the air filter at the next service (due at 48,000 Km IIRC).

Regarding checking air filters, I have a vague recollection that (some ?) TDI paper element air filters were "crush to fit" and that once they'd been installed you couldn't open them up again without risking an imperfect seal. Anyone else heard of that one ? (I've never even seen mine, so I could be completely wrong here).

**Transporter** · 30-01-2009, 10:28 PM

Originally Posted by gregozedobe

Hmmm, thanks for that useful advice guys. I do mostly pretty clean highway work btween Canberra and Sydney. I might replace the air filter at the next service (due at 48,000 Km IIRC).

Regarding checking air filters, I have a vague recollection that (some ?) TDI paper element air filters were "crush to fit" and that once they'd been installed you couldn't open them up again without risking an imperfect seal. Anyone else heard of that one ? (I've never even seen mine, so I could be completely wrong here).

Not in T5,
You can remove air filter for inspection and put it back if you like.