[Vwdiesel] sudden TDI death --- ( rear view mirror trobleshooting ).

[H.Hagar]

I am writing this mainly for the 1977 to 1986 gang. ---   The BASICS apply to all
vehicles in distress.

The bad part is that even a good analytical brain ---seem to freeze up due to stress,
on the road.
A million thoughts mill around in your head like , Tow truck cost , getting to work
Monday, ----mother got to go to the hospital -------need I go on ? --I didn't think so.

So there you are up to your ass in alligators. ---what to do ?.

Here is what I do based on ----first hand experience starting in 1945.    

1. LISTEN ------ use a piece of hose or a stick as needed.

2. VERIFY ------  lube , fuel , timing, coolant -----

3. FEEL. ---------  vibration , temperature of hoses , slop in bearings and belts.

4. MEASURE ------  voltage , temperature, oil-pressure -----

5. READ  -------READ ------READ

6. And not in that order all the time.


For us old (young) geezers to help you we need lots of information.SO POST IT.

In this case the most worrisome SOUND was the bicycle wheel harp playing. He said
that he took the VC off and found nothing wrong ?    -----he should have looked closer.

In this case I would have taken cover off and turned engine with starter ( fuel off)
the problem would have been detectable. Do not do like I did on the test engine here ---
start it with cover off. ---it throws oil all over the place. -- I used to set the valves on the
Landrovers. that way.

To turn engine to find TDC ? --no problem --high gear and one wheel off the ground.
That give you a two to one advantage gear wise. To find # 1 cylinder compression stroke
no problem. Pull injector or glowplug and FEEL. If you suspect a belt jump or a cam
sprocket slip ----make sure you go by TDC mark and piston position.ONLY.

What exactly is this KNACK of finding the problem ?   ---if you have it , you had it the
day you were born -- IMHO.                  And it is a strange skill indeed .     Does anyone
know for sure ?        Is it connected to IQ ? or what.      I recognize people who lack it
the easiest ---they will come to exactly the wrong conclusion say from listening
to an engine.------strange.

Not simple IQ ,    IMHO  ---the guy in slingblade was a retard --but he got the engine going.

One more time ----if you go VW diesel  --keep a cool head.

PS: I am very ill right now so all that beautiful weather and all those engines are a wasted.
Old age ----the shits --dont get old. ---housebound and thanking my creator for the PC and
windows system.-------now if I could remove all those Viagra adds it would be a lot better.

Hagar. 

PS: SPIRIT ?   ----still ok.