DIESEL JETTA STARTING LIKE POOP

[rancho*ryda]

I need some help on starting Issues. Alrighty i have a 86 td volkswagen and it does not want to start. i have checked the injectors and glow plugs all good, i also ran a new wire from the bat to the fuel solenoid, i can get my car to run but i have to plug it in to the wall and use alot of glow plug pre heat and then crank it over for a long time tell it goes, it gets to a point where it sounds like it,s just about to start, then it will shortly after. 2 questions on the 86 td where do you adjust the injector pump and what type of  gauge do i need to do this and is it hard? what setting would i set it to to be fairly stock so i can advance or retard from stock, also i put this diesel engine in a jetta with a gas engine so i cleaned out the tank and took out the fuel pump on the gas frame and now it works but there are some bubbles in the line is that a easy fix or?  thanks

[jtanguay]

well just to get you going, you could increase your idle.  it will still run like crap with the bubbles in the fuel line though.  you'll need to fix that problem sometime in the near future or it may leave you stranded somewhere.

i believe its counter clockwise on the service idle screw to increase idle,  but its not rocket science as you'll hear the engine increasing its speed so just go by that.

how many km's on the engine? it could just be tired.  also is it possible to grab the engine code? it could be a mechanical lifter engine.  that would mean that if nobody adjusted the valves, they should be off enough to limit some power and even starting capability.

you could also try advancing the timing to around 1.05 or so.  that could make the exhaust smell a bit weird but oh well.  it will also make the engine a bit louder too.  seems to help me out a lot though!

synthetic oils will help a lot!  a 0w40 oil will help take a load off of your starter by decreasing friction that a heavier weight cold oil would have.  beware though your oil consumption will most likely increase... a trade off  keep checking the oil level to be sure.

good luck!

[subsonic]

Bubbles equeal air leak into fuel.  Have you done a quick check at all the fuel line connection points? Fuel filter drain or vent screw?  Might be something simple.