Cupra TDI - running on 3 cylinders/timing?

[JamesL]

Evening all

Got in my Leon earlier and it was running really rough, sounded really clattery, but just assumed it was cold it was so cold (-2 to -4). Got in it again earlier and it was still doing it - had a friend listen to it as well and we both think it sounds like its running on 3 cylinders, or like the timing is out. It seems to idle pretty evenly (although sounds rough) and it rides along fine on tickover. Mainly it sounds bad between 2-3,000 revs, and it sounds flumpy - like something is loose and flapping about almost. It is almost like there is an echo on the engine noise. Car doesn't pull anywhere near as smoothly as normal through the rev's, although was smoother once warm.

Car was last serviced about 7,000 miles ago, although this was just over a year. I replaced the all the filters last week along with the CTS, and pulled the pipework off the EGR to have a look and see what it looked like. The car has been running fine since then, and was fine this morning when I got out the car and left it for the day.

Anyone able to suggest whats wrong, or how to fix it please?

 

[JamesL]

having had a further look round on here, I wonder if it could be an injector issue as here.

Can't think how the timing could just knock itself out without anything happening to it?

 

[Seatmann]

It depends on what engine you have, is it a PD or a non PD? There should be a code in the boot on the sticker, in the front of the service handbook or on top of the timing belt cover. It should read something like ALH, AGR, ASV, AJM etc.

 

[JamesL]

It's the 150 PD - I thought all the 150PD engines were ARL engine codes.

 

[Seatmann]

So with it being a PD it could be an injector issue or maybe the camshaft, they can wear on the PD engines and cause rough running problems and cam timing too. Here's a faq for checking the cam

http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q/multi/camshaft-inspection-replace-vw-tdi.htm

and here's one on cam timing

http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q/multi/PD-adjust-Idle-TDI.htm

I'm not sure personally how you check the injectors on the PD though, I expect it can be done with vagcom seeing as the injectors are electronic though. If I find anything I'll post a link back here.

 

[JamesL]

Thank you for the links.

Im taking it in tomorrow to get looked at, I'm really hoping it isn't the cam or lifters. I'm hoping that since it seemed to be a sudden change, it's less likely to be cam damage, since this would surely be progressive?

I'm bracing myself for a bill though, I think best case it is the injector wiring, but even that won't be a cheap fix.

I'm pretty sure you can check the injectors on vag-com - although I guess even if you plug it in and find it is an injector issue, you don't now whether its the injector or the wiring without swapping the injector from the duff cylinder to one with a working injector, and seeing if the problem follows the injector or stays on the same cylinder. Of course the head etc needs to come off to swap the injectors.

I assume the only way to work out which cylinder has the problem is with vag-com?

 

[offitmassive]

if its an injector issue on a pd.. the car WONT start. i assure you that. if lumpy i suspect a cam lobe wear issue

 

[offitmassive]

So with it being a PD it could be an injector issue or maybe the camshaft, they can wear on the PD engines and cause rough running problems and cam timing too. Here's a faq for checking the cam

http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q/multi/camshaft-inspection-replace-vw-tdi.htm

and here's one on cam timing

http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q/multi/PD-adjust-Idle-TDI.htm

I'm not sure personally how you check the injectors on the PD though, I expect it can be done with vagcom seeing as the injectors are electronic though. If I find anything I'll post a link back here.

to check injectors, remove the rocker cover, and un plug each injector 1 at a time, try to start the car after each removal. if it still doesnt start, plug it back in, and move to the next one. you wont get a fault code for an individual injector fault.

 

[JamesL]

Not injector related then . Car starts and drives.

I've only had the car 2 weeks, bought from a trader. Wondering if I need to try and get some recourse through the trader.

 

[JamesL]

Well I've dropped the car off at a friend of mine who owns a VAG specialist. He reckons its going to be the hydraulic tappets, but he's going to plug it in this morning and find out. Going to contact the seller this morning and see what he has to say.

 

[sockpuppet]

My cam wore right through one of the hydraulic lifters and I experienced the following with my car

Sounded like the exhaust had a small hole as there was a blow back sound from the engine

engine rattle when driving over 2000 rpm

Grey smoke from the exhaust when driving over 200rpm

A loss of £700 for replacement/repairs :-(