tdi jetta problems

[Statebull626]

My brother has a 1999. 5 VW Jetta TDI w/ a 2000 engine (VW apparently ran out of TDI's and started using next model yr). Recently he has experienced problems at 2400 rpm, the car will cut out and smoke white. He said that it does not matter whether the engine is under a load, but at 2400 at least one cylinder cuts out and acrid white smoke billows. He said it smells of raw fuel. Obviously VW dealerships and techs are much like our friendly Dodge counterparts in that they only know how to R&R parts in an attempt to fix the problem.



The car is not popping any fault codes. The dealership has thus far replaced the injection pump, egr valve, checked all injectors, swapped ECM, and replaced the turbo and the car is still dropping a cylinder and smoking. He did have the timing belt changed some time before this problem presented itself, but it has ran fine for quite awhile since then. He said the dealership also checked the crank sensor, whether they actually did or not, I don't know.



Any help/ideas that any of you experts can give would be appreciated. My brother is located in Whidbey Island, Wa. and the car is being serviced there. Sorry for the long post.

 

[snowracer69]

www.tdiclub.com



That's the first place I'd go and check... those guys are for VW what the TDR is to us Cummins fellas.



Sorry I'm no help.



Josh

 

[d90boy]

Mine had a stalling, dying, white smoke issue that turned out to be some kind of relay that was known to have a bad connection. Fuel pump maybe? Sorry I don't remember the specifics, it was about 3 winters ago and they thought it was gelled fuel at first. I think the cold affected the connection at this relay.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

I wonder if his timing is goofed up.



Or, it could be a fuel restriction. Those engines don't have any external lift pump - so whatever that little VP can pump is all it's going to get.



Neither of these issues will throw a code.



Also - nobody bothered to check the MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor... . they are notoriously crappy on the TDI's. The MAF out of the 2. 0L (NA) gasser will bolt right up and is about 1/4 the price..... allegedly there is some wiring involved, however.



You might also suggest cleaning the MAF... . and checking to be sure that there are no intake restrictions.



Matt

 

[Riflesmith]

I second the tdiclub.com recommendation.



There is a computer program available for these cars that allows you to plug a laptop into your diagnostic plug under the dash. This allows you to hack the ECM. It is a fascinating program that allows many functions to be checked as well as settings modified.

The program is called VAG-Com.

Happily, the Tdiclub site maintains a list of members that have this program that are willing to help others. Have a look at the TDI forums and then look for the link "VAG-Com List". Good luck.

 

[RBachant]

Have him check the air inlet tube. It draws air from the from the front of the car to the air box. There is a screen in the middle of it. It might be clogged up with all kinds of crap, mine was. I had a simular problem and the dealer couldn't find the problem. I think my friend that helped me fix it said it was called a snow screen, I'm not sure.



I hope he gets it fixed.