Testing TDI(out of car)

[dieselherb1]

I have a 2001 engine from a Beetle I got at the Pull a Part yard. I have a 2000 Jetta that needs an engine. I'd like to test this engine before installing it.
Thoughts?

[greentdi]

with out putting on a manuel injection pump or having a hot bench wiring harness I dont see it being possible. I would pull the valve cover look at the cam and lifters throw new timing belt stuff on and go with it. If the cam and lifters are in good shape its likely the rest of the engine is also.

[Vincent Waldon]

Yeah... a bit tricky, given all the mechanical and electrical requirements of "running".

One thing you could do is to treat your 2000 Jetta like the test bed... drop the engine in and then only connect the bare minimum to test it... leave the driveshafts, exhaust, intake, etc disconnected... only plug in the main wiring to the pump and position sensors, heck... you could even run it without coolant for 20 seconds or so if you only want to know if it will fire.

If it works you can finish the install, put the front end back on the car, etc.  If not... pull a few hoses and wires and lift the engine out again.

[dieselherb1]

I plan to mount a trans on it and check compression. Clutch blades(2) broke, were jambed between flywheel ans bellhousing. Mechanics thought it was a struck engine(rod)