Timing Question...1.6L N/A - IDI Engine - VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source.

• Timing Question...1.6L N/A by ted.hight on 09 Nov, 2009 20:28
• So my engine is going through its winterly tissy and will not start, unassisted, when cold.  I asked about it and you guys said check the timing and the compression.  (Everything else is seemingly working.  New fuel filter, new plugs, etc...)  Since I don't really know much theory behind the timing of a diesel I have a question; Why would the timing go from perfectly in time, to so bad it will no longer start in the morning? 
  
  Also, what are the symptoms of air in the fuel supply?  And what are the causes/probable leaky spots?
  
  Thanks!
• #1 by 8v-of-fury on 09 Nov, 2009 20:38
• http://vincewaldon.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=28
  
  This is a great write-up about setting the timing and a little bit about the concept.
  
  The belt may have slipped a tooth, causing it to be really whack.
  
  Air in the fuel supply will cause a rough running (even if it will run judging on the amount of air), and hard starting if the pump is loosing its prime.
• #2 by ted.hight on 09 Nov, 2009 20:46
• I'm pretty sure the belt didn't slip a tooth, the car runs very well once it starts up.  I wonder if I need to chase this air in the fuel idea.  Where are possible leak points?  The return lines?
• #3 by rabbitman on 09 Nov, 2009 21:02
• Your glows are for sure glowing?
• #4 by ted.hight on 09 Nov, 2009 21:44
• Yeah.  I tested each of the plugs on the battery and all glowed red hot in a few seconds.  They are also getting power to the plugs for the 20ish seconds before the relay shuts them down.
• #5 by macka on 10 Nov, 2009 05:48
• Check your bus bar, they are notoriously bad for failing. You should pimp your plugs, it makes for starts that take 1 or 2 seconds of starter use.
• #6 by rodpaslow on 10 Nov, 2009 07:53
• The bus bar is?  I'm assuming this is the bar that connects all the glow plugs together at the front of the engine?
  
  To pimp them you use what gauge wire?
• #7 by Vincent Waldon on 10 Nov, 2009 07:54
• http://vincewaldon.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=30&Itemid=28
  
  
   
• #8 by rodpaslow on 10 Nov, 2009 10:12
• Thanks
• #9 by ted.hight on 15 Nov, 2009 13:19
• So I have a dummie alert:  It was the screws holding down the GP fuse.     So a huge head ache for a minor problem.  The glow plugs were getting power but just not enough as the screws were not making very good contact with the fuse.  Oh well!  Thanks for all the help guys!
  
  Ted