Strange starting issue 2.0 Bi-TDI

[T5Pete]

Hi All,

Here is a strange thing that has now happened twice. I have 78k on the clock on the van, never had an issue.

I use the van more at weekends so i could sit for a few days between starts. First time I'd done a trip from say the gong to Syd no probs on Sunday and used the van on the Thursday.

Van started perfectly, reversed out the garage and then it started running really funny, like 3 cylinders lumpy and won't rev. it didn't stall but i pretty much had to nurse it, couldn't get it to rev gently for maybe a 30 seconds and then just floored it and it struggled then bam it was fine and ran perfectly for another week.

At the weekend I went upto Seal Rocks, no issues back on Sunday. Jump in van this morning (thurs) started fine, reverse out and go to drive up ramp at of carpark and it dies. go to start again and the servo starter just keeps going, and going occasional fires. this goes on for 30-60 seconds I'm pumping the gas peddle and it eventually starts rough, then rev hard and bam, she's running like a charm. stops and starts fine.

I'm sure leaving this for a while will make it happen again.

The only thing I can think of is 1. air in fuel line (not sure about CRD) 2. water in fuel / filter 3. injectors, but would expect them to be odd from the get go. The van ran in both cases fine for 20-30 seconds before doing this, no issues actually starting etc.

One thought that does come to mind is I filled up at a servo at Albion Park that was doing diesel at $1.17.. don't think it was bio-diesel strange one, thought it was a BP. Since then I did half a tank, then filled up again at my local and now back to half to tank so it's got maybe 800km on it since that fill up. hence my thoughts on water.

any thoughts?
P

[Syncrotek]

A few thoughts, first is how long since a fuel filter change ? next is has it developed any fault codes ?

[T5Pete]

A few thoughts, first is how long since a fuel filter change ? next is has it developed any fault codes ?

unsure on fuel filter. I get car serviced when the light come on but not at the dealers any more. When is it meant to be changed?

No fault codes. I'm leaving the car for a few days to see if it happens again and then I'll have my odb2 doodad on and watch fuel pressure etc

[Syncrotek]

unsure on fuel filter.....When is it meant to be changed?

I thought it is 30,000 kms, but it should be in the owner's vehicle service schedule if you have one.

If there is doubt or you can't remember when, then it would be advisable to change it anyway.

[lynnos]

Hello, Check out the fuel system drawings at PartsBase.org - Catalogue of Auto Parts. to get a good idea of the fuel circuit. My feeling is you have a small bubble of air that accumulates after siting for a few days and causes the short term problem until you rev it and move it on back to the tank. Any minute amount of air while running is then tolerated okay. The problem is to fined where. Perhaps try a filter change as suggested above which may resettle that areas fittings etc. I had a problem like this once with a boat engine, nowhere near as complicated as this, but with about 10 pumps of the manual lift pump before starting you could hear the bubble return to the tank. If I didn't do it, I would have to wind it over on the starter quite a bit longer. Good luck.

[Snail Style]

Sounds like you have leak down, would be a good idea to replace the fuel filter and the valve assembly ontop of it. Then see how it goes. Also just make sure there is no fuel leak on the high pressure side.

[T5Pete]

thanks all. it's actually not done it since the first 2 times. I think a fuel filter change is on the cards now anyway. I'm going to put it down to some crap fuel that has since passed through the system. Anyone done the fuel filter on these? I've done them before and some are easy and some are a PITA