Hi,
Looking for some assistance after my usually reliable Audi 1.9TDi failed today.
Around a mile from home it started what felt like a misfire. I changed down and it cleared off and then approaching then next corner and dipping the clutch, the engine died.
No amount of cranking would start it so rang the wife to pick me up and I took the keys to the local mechanic in the village. He went to recover it and it started eventually but spluttered on and off for 1/2 mile back to his garage. He has apparently left it running for more than half an hour ticking over and has been fine, although driving it under load it splutters and cuts out.
I have had it serviced 3 weeks ago - maybe 800 miles or so and it was MOTd on Saturday and done around 15 miles before this - coincidental??
Mechanic thinks its a fuel delivery problem and although the filter has been changed at the service, he is going to start there. As you would probably guess, he doesnt have vag.com software, however there are no lights on the dash.
I dont fancy getting it recovered to the garage that did the mot/service as its 20 odd miles away but wondered if anyone knows what might be the problem or if its sounds like a common occurance on this engine/model.
Thanks in advance.
Edited by Pugugly on 13/10/2008 at 22:26
|
Fuel filter is a good start, was it a genuine VW part?
MOT may be more than a coincidence. Emission test may involve full throttle revs 2,3 or more times and could damage an old cambelt and let it slip a tooth or two.
Bottom crank sprocket / key wear.
|
Hopefully its the fuel filter then - not sure if its a genuine one - i would guess not though!
The belt is fairly new - only done 20K or so ago and I regularly take it to the red line myself. I dont thrash it or abuse it though.
Edited by bbroomlea{P} on 13/10/2008 at 21:53
|
I dont think so no. I have seen it running on tickover and revving in neutral with no load in the garage and there is no smoke and I didnt see any when it was mis-firing out of the rear view mirror - it might have done but it all happened a bit quick.
|
If no smoke; then air ingress is the more likely. There have been pump cracking issues with the PD units - worth bearing in mind.
|
Cheers screwloose, I will mention this to the garage tomorrow morning. I hope its something cheap as its already cost me £600 this month on various bits and bobs!!!
Whats the damage if its the pump that needs replacing?
|
I'm actually leaning towards a filter leak - maybe the MOT rev has sucked some seal in? [The dual PD pumps are not cheap; [£175-ish] but not in the injection pump league.]
|
Also the remote possibility of bacteria in the diesel. My non-pd Passat suffered from a thick green slime in the fuel which, when drawn into the fuel filter, caused cut-out. A restart required cranking for some time. Can happen when some moisture in fuel tank such as condensation. I bought a biocide from a marine chandler (Marine 16) which resolved this.
This may be visible in the filter as a green slime if it's the cause.
|
I note that the fuel filter has been recently changed. Check that the replacement is of reputable manufacture (Bosch or Mann & Hummel) and that the black and blue 'O' rings in the thermostatic plastic Tee piece have been changed and fitted in the correct order. A little mineral (not silicone) oil or grease should be used to aid fitting - if they turn on themselves an air leak can result.
Check also that the plastic collar is present between the top flange of the filter can and the upper edge of the mounting clamp. This sets the height of the filter. If it is omitted, the drain cock at the bottom of the can fouls the engine, ultimately causing leaks. The plastic Tee is brittle - don't try taking the hoses off.
This filter is so stupidly difficult to change properly (later engines use a triple square headed clamp bolt to make things even worse) that problems often arise from inexpert attention. VAG should take a lesson from the Japanese - a car which is easy to service will ultimately be more reliable. It seems VAG know nothing about human nature outside their home country.
659.
Use a vac pump to prime a new filter - don't crank mercilessly, the starter and the tandem pump will not be favoured by this.
Edited by 659FBE on 14/10/2008 at 12:53
|
Just an update and to thank everyone for their input.
The filter was of unknown make and the mechanic chopped it in half to find it full of grit and it was filthy - certainly didnt look like it has just been changed.
A new bosch filter and its done 10 hard miles with no problems so hopefully its fixed. Off to pick it up now and then fill it up with diesel as its only just on a 1/4 tank so dont want to contaminate the new filter.
|
Good news. You might want to consider cleaning the strainer in the tank - it's combined with the gauge sender and accessed via a hatch under the boot mat secured with 3 (rusty) screws.
If you do this job, do it when the tank is nearly empty. Although VAG make the job impossibly hard, try to drain the water trap on the main filter at each service.
Given a clean fuel system and the correct lubricating oil, PD engines will run to high mileages without serious problems.
659.
Edited by 659FBE on 14/10/2008 at 19:00
|
Thanks 659 for the advice, I will give that a go at the weekend. I am a little sceptical on what other things have been missed off my service now so will be checking the state of the oil and air filter as well.
does anyone know if the oil can be tested for the right type as its supposed to be longlife!!
Lesson learned that even garages with a good reputation and proclaim to 'maintain your VAG warranty at 2/3 the cost' are robbing thieving so and so's. May as well do it myself in future!
I do hope that after saying all of that, that it really was just the filter and nothing more serious waiting to happen!!
|
