scottsire
Active member
My family and I were on our way back from Seattle after an awesome trip to her home town on Kaua'i, Hawaii. We were just about to make it up the hill past Vantage, which is the halfway mark at about 148 miles from my home. Then, out of nowhere, my Dark Blue 2003 Jetta TDI, the one that matches my Dark Blue 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins, lurched down in gear. I paused on the pedal, then gave it another shot. Lurched again, this time to 2nd. I limped off the freeway, and the car died on the uphill, just 100 yards short of the scenic view, which is level.
I tried to start it, but it wouldn't budge. I turned and turned, and then pedal-to-the-floor it started. Surged right to 1900+ and dropped off dead again. Started and ran in Neutral after a bit of a cooldown. I had it towed, then started it on level ground. Started but had a ticking noise that seemed to come every other revolution or so. Drove it but couldn't get it over 35. It idles and spits white smoke.
Next morning, 40 degrees, tried to turn it over. Weird clicking and then a low oil pressure light. It has plenty of oil.
What happened?
I tried to start it, but it wouldn't budge. I turned and turned, and then pedal-to-the-floor it started. Surged right to 1900+ and dropped off dead again. Started and ran in Neutral after a bit of a cooldown. I had it towed, then started it on level ground. Started but had a ticking noise that seemed to come every other revolution or so. Drove it but couldn't get it over 35. It idles and spits white smoke.
Next morning, 40 degrees, tried to turn it over. Weird clicking and then a low oil pressure light. It has plenty of oil.
What happened?