[Vwdiesel] minor issues=>bigger problems

[S. Shourds]

Yet another messed-up problem with the TDI.  I solved this one in one 
night.  I hope.  I backed out of the driveway into the street and the 
car died.  Couldn't restart it.  I popped the hood and detected the 
ever-subtle smell of Diesel.  I looked under the fuel filter to find a 
puddle.  When I reached under there thinking that maybe the drain knob 
had backed off, said knob came off in my hand.  The screw/stud in there 
had snapped.  A neighbor helped me push it into the drive and I hopped 
the bike to get to the parts store--in 100ºF heat.  A new fuel filter 
and a real struggle to get it primed and we're back on the road.  Turns 
out that it just won't prime itself.  Took a lot of work with a priming 
bulb to get it stated. 

I'm glad it happened 4 feet from my driveway.  I just got back from two 
 >2000 mile road trips and I'll be going on another one this weekend.  
Only puzzle left is why that broke.  That's just not something that 
happens.  All of the things that have happened to me and this car could 
be a sign of the respect that the Diesel gods have for my diagnostic 
skills.  Or, it might be a sign that they have a really sick sense of 
humour. 

-Shalyn