4 cylinder crank bearing shells

Are diesel crank bearing shells the same as normal 16v/8v ones or are they actually stronger, or indeed of different design? I've had different people tell me both, just need a definitive answer really!

I hear g-werks fit the mk3 golf diesel shells in g60s

Flusted wrote:I hear g-werks fit the mk3 golf diesel shells in g60s

I'm assuming that the crank bearing size is the same then?

I know no more than that im afraid.

They are the same dimensionally and supposed to be stronger. As far as my research has told me but then again people think diesel gearboxes are stronger and they aren't they share the same cogs as every other engine so.....

All VW Audi 1.8-2.0 crank journals are the same size when they left the factory so it follows that the shells would be cross compatible so no harm in fitting diesel shells, the guy who put my engine together got me "uprated" shells but I didn't really push him on how they were uprated as I had a lot more depressingly important things to talk to him about.

Hmm, well, to satisfy my curiosity I had a look on ETKA and 1Y, AAZ and 1Z (all 1.9 TDi mk3 era) use exactly the same bearing shells as the KR, 9A and 2E.

bit of a myth I rekon..

Nope all bearings are the same spec in the later engines if bought from VAG or aftermarket ones like KS. You can get some aftermarket companies that offer extra clearancing or coatings but these are considered a waste of money.

At the end of the day you got to remember the bearing is theoretically a none contact item providing the engine is properly lubricated. The number one reason for bearing failure is cars running ridiculously rich fuel maps around 10.5-11:1 AFR causing gradual bore wash. The resulting effect is fuel in the oil which makes the rings and bearings brittle making them prone to failure. Fuel in the oil is also a common fault of mismatched injector spray patterns due to age. Hence so many 1.8 KR's suffer from spun big ends as they generally all run rich as stink.