How JustAnswer Works:

 
 
 
  • Ask an Expert
    Experts are full of valuable knowledge and are ready to help with any question. Credentials confirmed by a Fortune 500 verification firm.
  • Get a Professional Answer
    Via email, text message, or notification as you wait on our site.
    Ask follow up questions if you need to.
  • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
    Rate the answer you receive.
 
 
 
Ask Martin Your Own Question
Martin, auto electrical
Category: VW
Positive Feedback: 95.4 %
Satisfied Customers: 427
Experience: South African Trade Diploma in Auto Electrical
Type Your VW Question Here...
Martin is online now
A new question is answered every 9 seconds

1999 Jetta TDI: mileage..Water pump, timing belt, tb shroud..clutch

Resolved Question:

Model: 1999 Jetta TDI, Manual Transmission, MkIV ALH, 170K mileage.
Recent repairs: Water pump, timing belt, tb shroud, alternator belt and assembly (alternator is ok).
Recent maintenance: 7K miles ago, oil & filter change; 15K miles ago, fuel filter replaced.
Upcoming maintenance: clutch replacement...will be done in 4 days.

Car will turn over when attempting to start. All secondary functions off (incl. A/C). Twice, the car started, but only for 2 seconds and then died. Battery is connected to a charger...so full power available as far as I know.
When I turn the key, the normal lights on the instrument panel come on.
I have disconnected the injectors? (metal tubes running to the block) to 'burp' engine.
I have attached hand held device to draw fuel until there are no more bubbles in the line.
Tank is half full of diesel.

Some sites listed Relay 109 as an issue. I don't know what this is, but am willing to check it if reasonable and accessible.

Am looking for any help...

Thanks

Submitted: 1 year ago.
Category: VW
Expert:  Martin replied 1 year ago.

Hi, my name is XXXXX XXXXX X am at your service to assist with your VW problems.
How long ago was the timing belt replaced? My thoughts are that perhaps there are bubbles of air in the pump or fuel injector supply lines that have still not bled out. What you should now do is loosen the fuel supply line on top of the injectors by slacking off slightly the pipe hold down nut at each fuel injector, crank the engine until the fuel squirts out cleanly there. Re-tighten the nuts and the car should now start.
Should this not resolve the problem please let me know and we can investigate further.
Regards,
Martin.

Customer: replied 1 year ago.

Martin,
I have done the "loosen the fuel supply line" and let the fuel squirt out...that was my poorly described "I have disconnected the injectors? (metal tubes running to the block) to 'burp' engine " from above. I have also used a hand pump to remove the air from the line...and still no go...any other ideas?

Expert:  Martin replied 1 year ago.

Hi,
When you replaced the timing belt did you lock the fuel pump in with a pin to keep it in #1 timed position? The pump has a tendency to move the moment you remove the belt and this will cause the pump timing to be out. This might be what has happened here so, to check this, remove the top belt cover, turn the engine by hand to fire on cylinder #1, the crank shaft mark and cam shaft mark should line up, and the pump casing hole should line up with the toothed gear hole where you can insert a pin to lock it into position. If it does not line up in this way the pump timing is out. If the pump timing requires adjusting, slacken off the belt tensioner, remove the cam belt, set the pump by locking it into position and then re-installing the cam belt ensuring that the marks are properly aligned when adjusting the tensioner.
This should get you going but if you require further assistance do not hesitate to ask.
Regards,
Martin.

Martin, auto electrical
Category: VW
Positive Feedback: 95.4 %
Satisfied Customers: 427
Experience: South African Trade Diploma in Auto Electrical
Martin and 11 other VW Specialists are ready to help you

JustAnswer in the News:

 
 
 
Ask-a-doc Web sites: If you've got a quick question, you can try to get an answer from sites that say they have various specialists on hand to give quick answers... Justanswer.com.
JustAnswer.com...has seen a spike since October in legal questions from readers about layoffs, unemployment and severance.
Web sites like justanswer.com/legal
...leave nothing to chance.
Traffic on JustAnswer rose 14 percent...and had nearly 400,000 page views in 30 days...inquiries related to stress, high blood pressure, drinking and heart pain jumped 33 percent.
Tory Johnson, GMA Workplace Contributor, discusses work-from-home jobs, such as JustAnswer in which verified Experts answer people’s questions.
I will tell you that...the things you have to go through to be an Expert are quite rigorous.
 
 
 

What Customers are Saying:

 
 
 
  • I would (and have) recommend your site to others I was quite satisfied with the quality of the information received, the professional with whom I interacted, and the quick response time. Thanks, and be sure that I'll be back whenever I need a question answered in a hurry. Stephanie P Elm City, NC
< Last | Next >
  • I would (and have) recommend your site to others I was quite satisfied with the quality of the information received, the professional with whom I interacted, and the quick response time. Thanks, and be sure that I'll be back whenever I need a question answered in a hurry. Stephanie P Elm City, NC
  • used your service this weekend with "Trecers" help. thank you ,thank you, thank you. replaced an A/C fan motor. Local Auto Zone had part. $15.00 "tracer" fee and $40.00 for parts, I saved several hundreds of dollers at a shop. i will recommend you and use you in the future. David L. Richmond, TX
  • 9 dollars, 2 hours of my time, and I drove away. Your diagnosis was right on the mark. Thank you so much. Phil Marysville, CA
  • Lurch. Thank you very much. I had real doubts about this website but your promptness of response, quick followup and to the point answer with picture was incredible. Charles Walnut Creek, CA
  • As a single woman, I really appreciate an excellent and affordable opinion.
    Thank you Geordie, I will not hesitate to contact justanswer in the future!
    Sue Charleston, WV
  • Another great insight to what may be the problem. I will have my mechanic take a look at it tomorrow. Thanks again, Frank...you do indeed know your stuff. Jim Castleberry, FL
  • Wonderful service, prompt, efficient, and accurate. Couldn't have asked for more. I cannot thank you enough for your help. Mary C. Freshfield, Liverpool, UK
 
 
 

Meet The Experts:

 
 
 
  • vwnewton's Avatar

    vwnewton

    VW Owner,ASE Master and L1 Advanced

    Positive Feedback:

    98.1 %

    Satisfied Customers:

    307
    25 years of VW obsession turned into a job, last 15 years as a VW Tech.
< Last | Next >
  • http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/vwnewton/2008-12-27_221405_JA_avatar.jpg vwnewton's Avatar

    vwnewton

    VW Owner,ASE Master and L1 Advanced

    Positive Feedback:

    98.1 %

    Satisfied Customers:

    307
    25 years of VW obsession turned into a job, last 15 years as a VW Tech.
  • http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/audidoc/2008-12-23_175252_headshot.jpg VWDoc's Avatar

    VWDoc

    Independent VW Shop owner

    Positive Feedback:

    98.9 %

    Satisfied Customers:

    1674
    20 years of experience working with VW's. Independent European shop owner and technician.
  • http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/35/350matt/2012-6-7_182356_matsavatr.64x64.jpg 350matt's Avatar

    350matt

    Engineer - BEng Hons

    Positive Feedback:

    93.7 %

    Satisfied Customers:

    477
    Mechanical Engineer with 20 years experience in the auto industry, 8 yrs in formula 1 engine testing
  • http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/CA/carbezerk/2011-3-13_103612_SAM0048.64x64.JPG Martin's Avatar

    Martin

    auto electrical

    Positive Feedback:

    95.4 %

    Satisfied Customers:

    426
    South African Trade Diploma in Auto Electrical
  • http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/terocoga/2009-08-17_050126_015.JPG RobJackson's Avatar

    RobJackson

    VW Mechanic

    Positive Feedback:

    99.0 %

    Satisfied Customers:

    416
    Started working in VW/Audi dealership in 1999. 2009 Registered and Certified VW Tech. ASE Master
  • http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/RO/rodcuda/2011-7-25_224114_Donhoff1.64x64.JPG Neal's Avatar

    Neal

    VW Mechanic

    Positive Feedback:

    94.4 %

    Satisfied Customers:

    382
    Shop owner and experienced in most brands.
  • http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/CA/caprio23/2011-12-13_155550_20111213105344.64x64.jpg Anthony's Avatar

    Anthony

    VW Technician

    Positive Feedback:

    95.2 %

    Satisfied Customers:

    360
    ASE Master Automobile Technician with over 20 years exp. in this field.