1.4 Tdi Struggling to start..

Apologies, I have deleted my previous post for clarity. Other VAG products use a in-tank pump for both the 1.4 and 1.9 engines, and I assumed the A2 would be the same, which was clearly incorrect. To answer my own question, the blown looking fuse is indeed glow plugs.
 
a-zwo said:
Apologies, I have deleted my previous post for clarity. Other VAG products use a in-tank pump for both the 1.4 and 1.9 engines, and I assumed the A2 would be the same, which was clearly incorrect. To answer my own question, the blown looking fuse is indeed glow plugs.
Click to expand...
That fuse still needs replacing, but it is okay for now. The glow plug relay was Kaput, but has been replaced. :)
 
But if there is leak somewhere between tank and valve, it won't work the same as without valve...
 
Hello,

I have read this post start to finish twice. I like a fuel system very straightforward to work on.

While I read through for the second time I cleared my head and opened the door named 'thoughts'. Here is what fell on the floor.

The sensible suggestion
  • A new list of the compleated fault diagnosis jobs and those left to investigate?
The wild card
  • The diesel radiator.
I look at the one under my TDi 75 and think ' one day I should renew the hoses on that thing and flush any crud out of it '.

The safe bet
  • Did you get that fuel filter drain plug upgrade?

Good luck
:) 👍
 
rotifer said:
Hello,

I have read this post start to finish twice. I like a fuel system very straightforward to work on.

While I read through for the second time I cleared my head and opened the door named 'thoughts'. Here is what fell on the floor.

The sensible suggestion
  • A new list of the compleated fault diagnosis jobs and those left to investigate?
The wild card
  • The diesel radiator.
I look at the one under my TDi 75 and think ' one day I should renew the hoses on that thing and flush any crud out of it '.

The safe bet
  • Did you get that fuel filter drain plug upgrade?

Good luck
:) 👍
Click to expand...
Hi mate,
Thanks for taking the trouble to do that!

I've just been to the car this morning and put a battery in, and it started on the 3rd turn of the engine at minus whatever degrees. When it mostly starts so well, it's hard to think that there can be much wrong with the Tandem pump or injectors, or anything much else really. I think the main problem was the blocked Sender, and now it has a very random intermittent fault, possibly affected by the cars stance?

I did a good job of sealing up the fuel filter bung with a stainless bolt and O rings, so I am happy that it is fine, I can't really see the need for the (very nice) fix that is available.

I had no idea that there is a diesel radiator? I'll have to look into that one.

I would like to get to the bottom of this, but the car is not being used, so I will just try possible solutions if and when they come to mind or are suggested.

Cheers, Dave
 
Hi,
I was reading the post and I know it's such a simple thing. You only have two cars! But I lost track of which car was which. Totally my mistake but glad it's starting OK now for you.

Yeah the radiator bolted to the underside of the car has been on my to-do list for some time.
That was the wild card option, probably a red herring😂

All the very best

EDIT
If I remember when I check the radiator on the TDi 75 in the coming weeks I will post pictures and a brief description of my findings. :)👍
FUEL_COOLER.png
 
Last edited by a moderator:
It's still a pretty good little car this one, and it's not going to do it any good sitting around, so if anyone fancies taking it on, drop me a message.
IMG_20240210_141008.jpg
IMG_20240210_140944.jpg

I think I'll get it MOT'd, and it'll be fully functional apart from a faulty CCCU and faulty keyfobs, and of course the very intermittant not starting, which is well documented.
 
Well the grey dolphin saga continues..

IMG_20240219_171000_HDR.jpg

I thought I would try and get it MOT'd this week, so got it up to the house no problem, it started straight up. Then I rang around for an MOT date and the earliest I could get was mid March!

Then the lass at Longstaffs said if I brought it straight around, they would get it done that night, this was at 4:30.. So I quickly fitted the battery clamp, went to start it, and would it start, no it would not!!! :eek: After an age of cranking it finally picked up and ran, so I took off to a petrol station to put more diesel in to see if a full tank would help. Filled it up, and of course it wouldn't start again omg. So I called around to Longstaffs and told them I wouldn't be bothering, but thanks anyway. I was there long enough for the head mechanic to make disparaging remarks about the noises it was making, cheeky sod!

When I got home, I noticed that the fuel gauge wasn't working, something else to sort!

So today, to start off with an easy win, I decided to clean the starter motor earth, as I've never done it, and it is a common issue.

IMG_20240220_093039_HDR.jpg

All you have to do is take out the passenger side headlight, and you can reach down and access the 13mm bolt marked in blue on the photo. It didn't look particularly bad, but still worth a good clean up and refit.

Once that was done I tried starting it, and nope, not wanting to start!

So next job, have another look at the sender. I cleaned this before and it seemed to make a big difference, but I was a bit wary of stripping it down completely because some bits looked very delicate. This time I thought, well you've got nothing to lose, so crack on lad.

IMG_20240220_135151_HDR.jpgIMG_20240220_141048_HDR.jpg

The bits I had been reluctant to remove were actually easy enough to get off, and there was still plenty of black stuff to clean up. Then when I popped the bit with the rubber seals out, a 8mm diameter glob of crap fell out!

IMG_20240220_140623.jpg

With it all super clean, I put it back together and double checked the connections for the gauge, then reinstalled it. I tried to start it and it was reluctant, but eventually picked up. This is probably not too surprising considering the sender has just been out, so I tried it about an hour later and it started straight up, which was promising. The fuel gauge was working again too!

It's always tricky to know if you have fixed an intermittent fault, but I am hopeful. 🤞
 
Aye it makes sense really, after I first cleaned the sender unit, the car was mostly starting perfectly, with just the occasional blip. I think that lump of crud must have been getting where it shouldn't every now and then. Hopefully with it gone she will be good, although it will take a while before I am fully convinced :cool:

I tell you what though, the sender unit is a great design, dead easy to work on, and designed to be easily stripped down with minimum of tools. I'd not seen one like that before, but I discovered my C1 has one almost exactly the same.
 
Refreshing to see a tea towel put to good use. The photographs and your write up will have helped others to tackle the fuel pick up job, me included.
Just a correctly programmed second hand CCCU & fobs then swap your key blades to the new fobs and you're all sorted for the MOT.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Yes if this has sorted it, then it will be a great little car despite the high miles.

It was making some noises yesterday, but I'm hoping it was just the mud flinging off the tyres and hitting the wheel arches. I'll have a quick look at the front suspension anyway, just in case a drop link or something needs attention.
 
Well I start her up every day and so far still 100% success :)

IMG_20240227_112758_HDR.jpg


I managed to get an MOT booked for next week, so I got her up on the ramps to have a look underneath. Seems pretty good, and I'm sure she's got new discs and pads on the front. I'll get her cleaned up and polish up the headlight lenses.
 
A neighbour asked me today "How many of those cars have you got?" Anyway turns out she might buy the grey one off me, which would be great. She wants a little runabout for the summer, so it would be ideal.
IMG_20240229_164558.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top