Hi Im new to owning a diesel, I bought it not running though it ran when parked 2 years ago.

The engine cranks quickly and even sounds like it fires occasionally but never starts.

My questions are pretty basic on troubleshooting why it doesnt start.

Glow Plugs - how can I test to see if they are all lighting (test for current draw? what should I expect?)

Fuel supply - How can I test/check that the injectors are functioning and are not clogged? How do I clean /prime the injector pump?

compression - no sparkplug holes how do you test? Whats a quick/dirty way to check the compression without a special compression tool for diesels?

Thanks

~ Phil

humm.... take out radiator cap , crank and look if the coolant it splashes ... if it splashes one or more cylinders are losing compression , maybe overheated.... need a head job....

Hi thanks for the idea, I did discover what I think is my first problem, no fuel. Doesnt appear the fuel tank pump is working. Getting low voltage reading at the pump (only 8-9 volts). I then attempted to power it locally with a lawnmower battery (12vs) and got no response from it. So my first thing to tackle is the bad pump.

Does anyone know if the pump is different in a diesel or will any work? Want to find a used one cheap at least to be able to try running the engine before investing alot of time in the rest of the car.

Thanks Phil

humm.... take out radiator cap , crank and look if the coolant it splashes ... if it splashes one or more cylinders are losing compression , maybe overheated.... need a head job....

I think that it must have 12 volts if it getting only 8v maybe is running slow.... try send 12 volts to the fuel pump with a cable directly from the battery to the fuel relay ... and then try start the car. :grinno:

Hi I did try powering it locally with a lawn mower 12v battery, no go. I called around locally and the part shops state they cannot get it new/rebuilt aymore, anyone know where to get a fuel pump for a 86 diesel jetta?

Thanks

Diesels don't use electric fuel pumps.

HI thanks that would explain why no one knows where its located in the car or where to buy one.

If thats the case then can you give me any suggestions as to why the fuel isnt being presented to the injector pump? There isnt any fuel even making it to the water seperater/fuel filter on the fenderwall.

Thanks

~ Phil

See the post in your other thread. Also the water seperator under the right rear of the car can go bad and leak fuel or lose the vacuum from the pump, letting air get sucked into the lines. You can remove the whole assembly and connect the fuel lines together.

Hi thanks for the idea on the fuel issue. I tried something just to try getting the engine running and I think I have bigger issues, I placed a tank of diesel above the car so there would be some pressure and connected to the fuel filter.

I got what I though was all the air out and tried to start. I am getting white smoke out the exhaust (bad I think its low compression)

Then I left the setup overnight in hopes if there was more air it would work its way out. Checking it in the morning all the diesel drained out (into the engine??) there is some on the ground but it didnt leak from my connections. Is this a sigh the injector pump is bad?

Did it drain internally? Check the oil level to see. Is your cooling system pressurizing when you crank the engine? Release the pressure at the cap then crank a few times & recheck for pressure. Was the antifreeze level strong enough so it wouldn't freeze? Does the glow plug light come on for a few seconds then go out when you turn the key to on position?

Hi Boschmann, sorry for not replying, I ended up selling this car for parts and got more than I paid. I currently have another 85 Diesel jetta thats been running well for months but wouldnt start in the cold this past weekend. If you have any ideas see my other thread. THanks.

~ Phil