LT 35 2.5TDI Problems

[Dion lt35]

Hi all just picked up a 98 R LT35 TDI 2.5 5 cylinder Luton, To be honest I was done over, The drive home was slow and barely over 45.

Problems I have found so far

(1) Wont start off the key just cranks over but no start, only off brake cleaner fired down the intake, Have changed the glow plugs, The seller had put a NEW set of 5 in the van, Upon opening the boxes I found he had 1 new plug which he showed me, The rest were used. Think it needs a new glow plug relay box?.

(2) Is really really sluggish, Struggles to 45, Got it up to 55 eventually and as soon as it got there it I felt the turbo cut the power, So takes ages to get up to any kind of speed. Had a friend who is a bit of a VW man take a look he unplugged the AMM and seemed to pick up a little better, From what I have read on here it could be the AMM - Clogged dirty turbo - Vacuum Pipes leaking - Intercooler piping split - Sticking turbo actuator

(3) Engine sounds like a lorry, Sounds Extremely noisy and ticky, Have read about an actuator rod

(4) Supposedly had a cam belt change last week, I am thinking its had some cowboy do it, That's if it has actually been changed after the supposedly NEW glow plugs, But if it was changed I am thinking that could be part of the sluggish problem if the timing is out

Any suggestions would be appreciated

[zollaf]

welcome.
these things should fly along quite nicely. changing the belts, yes, there is also the pump belt at the back that rarely gets done, is a 7 hour job, a lot of which is timng the pump up accurately. do it wrong and it will run like a bag of nails. there is no 'close enough' on these. however, it should start without plugs easily enough. first you need a code read, then you need to get the timing checked.

[Dion lt35]

The guy I had it from was on about the 2 belts being done. But I'm thinking it's been bodged. Hows best to find out? Vagcom?

The starting issue I'm going to look at tomorrow with my multi meter. Going to stick the red probe in the glow plug wiring see what reading I get from it. Depending on the results may have to get another relay box for it.

Get some diagnostic run on it see what I've got to work with

[zollaf]

any update on this at all, did you get some diagnostics done.

[WJP]

Hi, I know this thread is old, but would just say that you need to get injection pump timing checked. There are timing marks for both belts but it will still run badly as you described if you only use these, you need dealer software, or a very experienced VW specialist. I’ve done the belts myself with a friend and got it running but only to get me to a garage, you always need to get the timing set properly otherwise it will drive poorly and with low power exactly as you described. Hope this helps somebody if not you!! Kenny’s Autos in Inverness have a guy that does it without the computer and he did mine perfectly. I’d send anybody to him!!

[WJP]

Also, sounds as if maybe your pump belt isn’t pumping the fuel, regarding the starter issue. I had a VW main dealer put a **** belt on once that stripped it’s teeth after a year and the starting problem was the cause. It sounds as if somebody tried to do the belts and did a pretty lame job. Take the floor and plastic panels out of the cab and take off the maintainence cover and the belt cover and I bet your belt will be shredded. Good news is that this won’t have damaged your engine, unlike if the front belt breaks. Then you’re f**ked.