Gizmo The TDI gets a bellyache.........

[mwilson]

Have been extremely busy, but have to take a moment for an update on Gizmo. After many hard starts and derates over the past two months it has been determined that the injection pump is on the way out.



Seth and I have decided it acts much like a dying VP-44. Starts hard, derates after the fuel gets warm, etc.

In reality it is a miniature VP-44 so it would would only make sense that it would fail in a similar fashion.



It is at the pump shop right now as I simply don't have time plus I have not purchased the VAG-COM software yet so I must trust someone else to fix it this time.



Will post when I get it back...



I guess I am the lucky owner of a VP-33 1/3????



Mike.

 

[Bob4x4]

I've heard that is a common weak point on the vdubs

 

[mwilson]

I've heard that is a common weak point on the vdubs

Wondering if it brought on by the ULSD??? When I called VW for a quote on a reman pump a bottle of fuel conditioner is tied right to the purchase. I may have to run Stanadyne or Cenpeco in it from now on.



Almost a grand for the pump so I don't want to repeat the experience... ... :{



Mike.

 

[JLEONARD]

I guess I'm glad our TDI uses a VE pump.

 

[JR]

Does the injection pump on your VW have an ecm on top of it like the vp does?

I had an 85 golf when I was 16 years old it was my very first car. It was actually on its way to the scrap yard because the ip was shot. I got the car (for free ) and found an ip out of a jetta at a junk yard for 75 bucks. Those were all mechanical though, and even at 16 yrs old a pretty simple fix (with the help of pops of course)

My first love and how "the disease" began

 

[mwilson]

Does the injection pump on your VW have an ecm on top of it like the vp does?

I had an 85 golf when I was 16 years old it was my very first car. It was actually on its way to the scrap yard because the ip was shot. I got the car (for free ) and found an ip out of a jetta at a junk yard for 75 bucks. Those were all mechanical though, and even at 16 yrs old a pretty simple fix (with the help of pops of course)

View attachment 83521

My first love and how "the disease" began

Yes, it has an electronic head, the wire harness plugs into the front side of it. Hook the VAG-COM up and it shows the shut-off is open, all systems go but no start. Sometimes if you flap the throttle pedal a bit it helps it start. Drive it just about 30 miles, then it will downshift, lose power, derate..... etc.



I have had two episodes where I thought I was going to have to call for a tow, but managed to get it started.



Brought the '97 CTD back into frontline duty, changed the LH axle u-joint, threw a grease job and oil change at it and put it on the road. It's all good, spare vehicles are a blessing... .



Mike.

 

[Simplysmn]

Mike have you gotten onto the jetta site's there may be a Vw mechanic in your area that can help you out on this ?

 

[mwilson]

Mike have you gotten onto the jetta site's there may be a Vw mechanic in your area that can help you out on this ?

The shop that I am using is pretty good. All these guys do is diesel work and one of the owners is a TDI fanatic. Works on them there at the shop and also works on them at home on weekends. They have the pro version of the VAG-COM software.



He has picked away at it for two days now just to verify that it does indeed need a pump, he called me today and said he really hates to spend other peoples money but the thing needs a pump. I told him to go ahead and order it, also to quit worrying. I trust him 100%.



Gizmo is in good hands... . it is at one of only two shops in Bangor that I will let touch any of my vehicles... .



Mike.

 

[mwilson]

Just got the call, Gizmo is healed!!!!



Will go pick it up tomorrow, have to go to Bangor anyways.



Starts first time, everytime now. It was the pump.



Mike.

 

[JR]

Thats always good to hear when someone else is spending your money :-laf

 

[mwilson]

Gizmo is happy now....

Update on Gizmo. .



He is doing well, starting and running like a German champion. Cold weather this week did not bother him, he started every morning and faced the day. Makes pretty good cabin heat also, I can drive comfortably in my shirt sleeves after 10 miles at -15 below or worse. It does not have a block or coolant heater yet so that is real good performance.



Fuel mileage this week had dropped to 36mpg which is not too shabby given heavily cut winter fuel, extended idling and extremely cold weather. No complaints here.

One morning this week it was so cold that the parasitic drag of the powertrain was making me push the pedal a lot further to maintain speed for the first 4-5 miles.



The fuel injection pump was the culprit as I mentioned above. If you have one of these or are looking at one (98-03) and at non-glow plug temps it does not start almost instantly there is a problem.



Trust me, it never started like that from the time I bought it until the injection pump was replaced. It always turned over at least once before it started.



Now it starts instantly when warm.



I have also learned that a failing fuel filter does not present itself in what I consider a normal fashion. I had one plug/fail at a very low mileage and the symptoms are loss of high end RPM's.



That's the only symptom, it still starts perfectly and pulls like a mule UNTIL it hits a certain RPM. In my case 2800 rpm was it, then it would drop off. As the filter got worse the high end RPM's dropped until it was a stretch to hit 2200rpm. I finally had to pull off the road and dump the fuel filter out as I did not have the spare filter with me. . (I had not finished stocking my winter trunk tote yet)...

Did the bleeding the hard way (with the starter) and got it going again, at least had my 2800 RPM limit back after that so I could make it home.



Changed the filter, problem solved.



It uses no oil, I mean none. Changing at 5,000 mile intervals and am using plain old Rotella 15W-40.

You can do that with the VE's, but the PD's must have at least Rotella Synthetic.

Guess what, Gizmo stinks at idle just like it's two big brothers for about 1,000 miles after the oil change.



So far, so good!!!!



Mike.

 

[JR]

Sounds like maybe a fuel pressure gauge is in Gizmos future

 

[HBarlow]

Thanks for the excellent report, Mike.

IMO you just have to love the VW TDI. I drive mine whenever I need four wheel enclosed transportation. My truck has been abandoned in the barn with a trickle charger keeping it alive for several months now.

 

[PMould]

Mike,check out frostheater.com they make a nifty coolant heater kit,Gizmo will love it,my pd. does:-laf,pete.

 

[mwilson]

Mike,check out frostheater.com they make a nifty coolant heater kit,Gizmo will love it,my pd. does:-laf,pete.

I have been looking that product over, nothing but praise from everyone regarding the FrostHeater. I will go with that one for sure.



In typical fashion I am thinking that I can finish the winter without it and add the FrostHeater come next fall.



Want to budget for some trinkets for the '06 if it's going to Columbus again this summer. If I have to shiver a bit for the next few weeks, so be it.



Mike.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I often wonder if putting a lift pump on these cars would solve some of the injection pump problems.

 

[kkelley]

Glad you got it fixed up. I'm pretty sure you already know about the EGR cleaning on these motors right? Untill I hit the post where your mechanic confirmed the pump it sounded like my former co-workers problem with his shut-off plate sticking closed sometimes.

 

[mwilson]

Glad you got it fixed up. I'm pretty sure you already know about the EGR cleaning on these motors right? Untill I hit the post where your mechanic confirmed the pump it sounded like my former co-workers problem with his shut-off plate sticking closed sometimes.

Yes, the EGR cleaning was one of the first things that I did to it after buying it. Somewhere on here I posted what it looked like inside. Had to flame out the intake as well.



When my diesel dudes replaced the pump they also turned the EGR down with the VAG-Com so I should not have to repeat that nasty little job.....



Mike.