Author Topic: Engine dying going up hill (Read 3686 times)

dlorimer · « **on:** February 10, 2007, 07:49:35 pm »

I need help identifying the cause of a problem. Here's the situation:
I have an interesting problem when I am driving up steep hills. I live in Eastern Kentucky, where we have many larger hills. Of course, when I hit the hill, I put the pedal to the floor, and the engine is under max stress.
About half way up a longer grade, the engine begins to do something that feels similar to "surging" in a gasser. I think it's the opposite though. It'll be driving fine, and pulling hard, then draw way back. Then it'll start pulling hard again, then draw back. If I put in the clutch, it dies instantly. If I leave it in gear, it keeps itself going, though slowing down faster than usual, because it's not holding power. As soon as I top the hill, it grabs in hard, and pulls away, not having any problems. Note that if it dies on the hill, I can just restart it immediately, and it fires right up.
What is causing this problem? I'm thinking fuel filter right now. The car is fairly new to me, and I don't know the condition of much of it. I'm not sure, but it almost seemed to be a temperature thing, as the engine temp was much cooler at the top of the hill than it had been at the bottom.

Here's info:
1.6 VW Diesel Jetta, 85
I don't know compression, nor anything about the injectors
100% Dino Diesel (pre-2007), no additives
Temperature ~20 degrees F
I could not locate any leaks at the injector pump or injectors, nor in the fuel line, but it was dark, so I might have missed something.

Any ideas?

burn_your_money · « **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2007, 08:19:49 pm »

Start with replacing the fuel filter and then going from there. When you do, fill the filter with ATF to clean up the pump and injectors

Op-Ivy · « **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2007, 11:10:21 pm »

Putting in the clutch and letting off the gas is a common sign of a clogged fuel filter or empty fuel tank.

Were you low on fuel? Might not have been enough getting through (clogged filter might have emphasized this)

-Matt

jtanguay · « **Reply #3 on:** February 11, 2007, 12:43:22 pm »

sounds to me like you need to downshift more... what speed/gear were you in??? i've stalled my car in 3rd going up a pretty steep hill... about 40 km/h. and yea my car started right up afterwards too.

these cars have more low end power than a gasser, but you can still stall em from over-loading.

i also second the low fuel issue. it wouldn't take much air being sucked in to stall your motor under huge stress like that.

a good rule of thumb, is that if the car shakes and seems like it doesnt want to go, don't floor it. thats just stupid. you will make high egt's, black smoke, and burn your money so to speak :lol:. not to mention that you are putting a lot of stress on the crankshaft, rods, bearings, etc. you will need to upshift and 4 grand that hill until you reach the peak and then downshift.

btw is your car N/A or Turbo??? how many KM's on the motor??? when's the last time the valve clearances have been checked/shimmed??? that should be done every 20'000km or so... or at least checked every 15'000km. if you don't do that, then your car will keep losing power until it won't even start anymore...

bvolks73 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 11, 2007, 01:05:24 pm »

Every 15,000 or 20,000 kms? Mine hasn't been checked since I bought it 360,000 kms ago. :oops:

burn_your_money · « **Reply #5 on:** February 11, 2007, 01:57:01 pm »

Quote from: "jtanguay"

you will need to upshift and 4 grand that hill until you reach the peak and then downshift.

I think you got your downs and ups backwards

jtanguay · « **Reply #6 on:** February 11, 2007, 02:55:06 pm »

Quote from: "burn_your_money"

Quote from: "jtanguay"
you will need to upshift and 4 grand that hill until you reach the peak and then downshift.

I think you got your downs and ups backwards

:oops: :lol: yea for the record... downshift going uphill and upshift when you reach the peak... don't strain your motor!!!

jtanguay · « **Reply #7 on:** February 11, 2007, 02:57:05 pm »

Quote from: "bvolks73"

Every 15,000 or 20,000 kms? Mine hasn't been checked since I bought it 360,000 kms ago. :oops:

it will still run... but i'd imagine that you could get some serious power increase if you shim your valves... not good when the valves don't open fully... :lol:

eventually it should cease to run though... because the valves won't open enough...

bvolks73 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 12, 2007, 01:19:32 pm »

I have new valve seals to put in so I'll definitely check the valves. More power would be a really good thing.

jtanguay · « **Reply #9 on:** February 12, 2007, 05:10:30 pm »

Quote from: "bvolks73"

I have new valve seals to put in so I'll definitely check the valves. More power would be a really good thing.

i loved my mechanical lifter engine. i'd say it was more torquy than my current engine for sure. i could have a car full of all my buddy's (they're about 200 lbs each... so we're talking about 800 lbs not including me... good thing the suspension was new lol) and the car would still accelerate really good. it was a bit of a dog way up top, but i just kept shifting the gears to take advantage of the torque. i miss the old car...