2003 Jetta TDI wagon - fuel pickup - CEL/P0252/IP noise
I just pulled my fuel pickup assy out, thanx for the excellent information and photographs about the spring clips, helped immensely.
My system doesn't have a lift pump.
There was a lot of crud on the bottom. So I'm hoping that will be the issue...
I bought it with around 150k on it, first tank of BioDiesel caused issues... suspect it cleaned things up and clogged filters. Had my injectors rebuilt and cleaned, had two bad ones, doubt it was from BioDiesel. (It really disturbs me when I see someone talk about BioDiesel and the reply talks about WVO, they are completely different. I've done both, worlds of difference.)
Have a few shots of the injectors here:
http://fotomeister.us/2010/10-Oct-27-Fall-cats-TDI/ALL.html need to move the tech stuff over when I get time.
I'm having an issue with P0252 CEL and hammering sounds coming from the pump. If I do a Diesel Purge it quiets down and I can clear the light. After changing the filter and a purge it'll run as it did before, solid, fast... but then after a day or two it starts hammering and CEL comes on again.
Because the symptoms change after a filter change or Diesel Purge I'm guardedly optimistic it's not the IP.
I'm hoping that the cleaning of the pickup will make a difference... otherwise it could be the IP itself. I would like to clean the top part of the pump, but need a special socket. Will post pictures later.
ANYONE KNOW WHERE I CAN get the socket to take the top cover off of an ALH TDI? It's around 8mm, or 9/32nd, but not quite... they have one on each corner of the critical parts.

The scoundrels... they knew I'd take it apart if I could...
I'm going to put the mighty vac on the fuel line going to the filter and prime the system and see if there are any obstructions before attempting a start. Prayers are welcome... it's the day between my 35th wedding anniversary and my birthday, took the day off to work on my TDI...
Will post details of my fuel setup at:
http://johnmeister.com/DIESELS/tdi/
not sure what I'll call the directory yet... fuel pickup or something like that... look for the ALL.html file. Have other info there as I dial this thing in. I've built up wagoneers.com for jeeps and Mercedes Diesels but have moved all the Diesel stuff pretty much over to johnmeister.com... it's all on one server, three different domains...