New 96 Jetta dies after 200 kms..

[Norm]

Hi Everyone,

On the weekend I purchased a 96 turbo diesel Jetta .. The car looks great and ran great until I returned home form work today... It started to sporatically miss until it stalled ( 2 kms down the road...)  I was able to restart to engine and get back on the road but could only do approx. 1/2 a KM at a time then I would let it sit for 5 minutes .. It would die out as if it was running out of fuel.   My wife met up with me and brought diesel conditioner..  I poured  some in the tank ( albeit way to much ) I tried to go again but it still ran the sh#$s..   We towed it for a couple of miles  then I restarted the engine as I was gettig cold.. I noticed that it ran fine  so.. I unhooked and drove it home..   Seemed fine afterwards..  It's now in the garage and I don't want to drive it until I know what happened.

My thinking is that the fuel filter is plugging up?  Or there was water in the tank ?   I did open the valve at the bottom of the fuel fiter but saw no condensation..  

I plan on buying a new filter tomorrow..  I would also appreciate any points on how to efficiently bleed it after?

thoughts/suggestions anyone ?

Thanks
Norm

[ricosuave]

sounds to me like some bad fuel or a plugged filter.

as far as bleeding it off, you can keep that water drain open while idling, air will escape that way...

rico

[gropar]

If it always start and keep on running after a while;
If it works fine when t° is warmer (afternoon rather than morning),

It might be the fuel return valve on top of the fuel filter, and/or fuel filter.

You may want to look at this : http://vwdiesel.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=6210&highlight=#6210

[toomanycars]

Check the posts on "Bubbles in the fuel line". You have classic symptoms of a blockage.

[NGTD]

Mine did the same thing a few weeks ago.

Water in the tank+Really cold weather = frozen lines.

Cure was a night in the garage and a 1/2 litre of methyl hydrate.

[Norm]

Well... It could of been frozen fuel or the fuel filter or both ??  

Just prior to hooking up the tow rope, I dumped approx. 1/2 litre .....or half quart of fuel conditioner in the full tank..  Approx. 10 minutes into the tow, I restarted the car as I was getting a little cold and it ran fine so I unhooked approx.  2miles from home and it ran fine.. I brought it into a heated garage , replaced the fuel pump and ... I've been driving it for the last 400 kms(240 miles) and it runs like a top..

I'm amazed how well this car starts !!!   Touch that key and it starts immediately...   My tractors aren't instant..

Here' another ....
When starting the engine cold, I pull out the advance timing lever... I'm wondering, does the engine consume more fuel while the lever is pulled out?

Hey.. where are you suppose to put your coffee mug in this car ??  It seems to have room for an expresso cup only ??

Regards

[QuickTD]

I'm wondering, does the engine consume more fuel while the lever is pulled out?

 The cold advance handle is connected to a cam that presses against the hydraulic advance piston. The hydraulic advance in the pump pushes the timing piston past the position set by the cold advance handle by about 1500rpm. So the cold advance handle really does not have any effect on engine operation at speeds beyond 1500rpm.

[Norm]

QuickTD,
 
If I understand you correctly, the cold advance lever only affects the idle speed...   Hmmm ...interesting,  it's peaking my interest..  I 'll have to find a Volkwagen manual to really understand how this and the rest of the diesel engine works..  

What can I say.. Inquiring minds want to know..   :roll:
Thanks

[QuickTD]

The cold advance lever only affects timing at idle speeds. It also boosts the idle speed on 1.9TD models without air conditioning. On AC equipped models the AC idle boost actuator is used for cold idle speed increase.