Finding TDC on a 1996 Audi 2.5L TDI

[Vegified TDi]

Hello diesel enthusiasts. Can someone guide me on finding TDC on these inline 5 diesel engines please? Is the cylinder closest to the radiator #1? Or is it the cylinder closest to the firewall?

I'm supposing that I may as well pull the valve cover and check in that way...?

I have good compression on only 2 of the 5 cylinders so want to pull the head to find out what's going on. Open to ideas and direction if you have them.

Thanks

 

[03Golfer]

General advice here:

Do you have a service manual for your car?

Cylinder 1 should be the cylinder closest to the front of the engine. Can you pull a glow plug and feel for air coming out or stick a rod down to locate tdc? The most accurate way is to mark the pulley when the rod is 1/4" from topping out, and mark it again when it's coming down to 1/4". Then mark the centre of those 2 marks on the pulley.
But generally the service manual should show a TDC marker, and you could pull the valve cover to see if it's tdc or 360* out.

 

[Vegified TDi]

Thank you. I do have a manual I bought years ago but can't find it. I just bought another off ebay and its on its way.

Appreciate the help.

Torie