HELP! Guru needed for sick A4 in Maine

countryme

Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2010
Location
Southern Maine
TDI
1999.5 Jetta TDI
Looking for a Guru in southern Maine to help me get my sick A4 running right. Since Rich Tremblay has moved away I don't know who to go to for help. I was experiencing limp mode problems, and traced the problem to a rusted out turbo actuator ( I thought). After replacing the actuator I am having issues with stumbling, CEL, inability to rev above 2000 RPM and significant smoking issues. I have checked all vacuum lines, swapped N75 and N18 relays, tried adjusting the actuator linkage, checked the MAF, all to no avail. Also, cleaned the intake about 3 months ago. I don't have a VAG-COM so I'm pretty much in the dark as to what the vitals are. I know it's time to call in the big guns, but don't know who is in the area. Any help is appreciated.

Jeremy
Berwick Maine
 

TurbineWhine

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2005
Location
Asheville, NC
TDI
Jetta, 2003, Platinum Grey
When you start the engine, watch the actuator with a mirror and flashlight. Make sure it moves quickly to the full stop position. Is the smoke black or is it blue?
Get one of the auto parts stores to read the codes for you and post up the results. That would be a big help to all of us trying to assist you.

TW
 

countryme

Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2010
Location
Southern Maine
TDI
1999.5 Jetta TDI
I have not been able to both start and view the actuator. The smoke is blue as if it is running very rich. I will post the codes as soon as I get them, I have access to a obd2 from some coworkers.
 

countryme

Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2010
Location
Southern Maine
TDI
1999.5 Jetta TDI
Also, it will start and spool up to 3500 without a problem, then seems to go into limp mode and will not rev above 2000.
 

eb2143

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Dec 26, 2005
Location
Rhode Island
TDI
None
You checked the MAF by unplugging it and finding no change, I assume?
I will be in southern Maine on Friday afternoon -- may not be helpful timeframe wise -- but if you have a Windows laptop you are free to use my VCDS cable. I previously lived in Portsmouth and don't know of anyone in the immediate area who is a TDI specialist.

Whatever the problem is, I can't think of a way a maladjusted actuator could be the cause. I would be double checking anything else you touched while replacing it -- though it sounds like you already have.
 
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eb2143

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Dec 26, 2005
Location
Rhode Island
TDI
None
I'm not sure how I've forgotten Chris Smith at Dupont's in Dover, NH. I've met him and he has done basic service on my car and I can recommend him. That's probably your closest bet for a TDI specialist, but he doesn't do house calls that I know of so you could be looking at a tow.
 

countryme

Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2010
Location
Southern Maine
TDI
1999.5 Jetta TDI
eb2143, thanks for the offer to use your VAG-com. Unfortunately, I am working 2nd shift this week and will be at work Friday afternoon/evening. Any other week and I would have taken up your offer.
 

Campbellonh

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2003
Location
New Hampshire
TDI
formerly:Passat, 96, white and 10 Jetta, white gold
I can swing by on Saturday with my VAGcom and help you get codes. The A4 experts will then have to chime in on what it all means.
 

countryme

Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2010
Location
Southern Maine
TDI
1999.5 Jetta TDI
The 4 codes on my CEL are : P1549, P1550, P1248, and P1144. Thanks for the offer Cindy. I think I need to take you up on it.
 

Campbellonh

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2003
Location
New Hampshire
TDI
formerly:Passat, 96, white and 10 Jetta, white gold
I'm pretty sure the codes you listed mean:
P1549 (N75 valve open short to ground)
P1550 Boost Pressure Control Valve (N75): Control Deviation
P1248 -35-10- control deviation- Intermittent, Start of Injection timing regulation
P1144 MAF Open or Short to Ground (although since you unplugged the MAF, it may just need to be reset.)
You should look at the wiring associated with these things, see if the are any cracked or broken, or just having the insulation worn off. Its kind of common for the wiring to cause all kinds of trouble. Call me in the morning if you want me to come by.
 

RockRockRock

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 13, 2008
Location
So Socal
TDI
2015 GSW M6
I'll be looking for a guru myself if I can't sort out my flaccid mode buggery.


Is HermTDI an option?

Someone suggested I contact him just a few months ago, when I was looking at getting another TDI.

(This is a good chance for someone to give me the skinny on Herm... I have seen his name on the board but I don't know exactly if he has a shop or just does TDI on the side, or if he is still in business at all)
 

Campbellonh

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2003
Location
New Hampshire
TDI
formerly:Passat, 96, white and 10 Jetta, white gold
I've met HermTDI at some GTGs but never went to him for work on my car because someone had told me he hates working on B4s, but A4s I think he will work on. He's somewhere up mid-coast I think. You can try calling him. Look up his forum contact info.
 

eb2143

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Dec 26, 2005
Location
Rhode Island
TDI
None
(This is a good chance for someone to give me the skinny on Herm... I have seen his name on the board but I don't know exactly if he has a shop or just does TDI on the side, or if he is still in business at all)
[this post/answer was directed at the OP in Southern ME, just realized it was Rock asking the question who isn't close to NH]

Herman is in Richmond. He has a detached garage at his house and does the work there. He has a scissor lift and will teach. You can get your hands dirty if you want to.

He does have little patience for monkey work that he has to undo, Chinesium parts, and general mistreatment of TDIs. Oh, and metal "skid" plates. :)

I appreciate his honesty, forthrightness, and genuine love for the TDI power plant. I don't think he's for everyone though. Give him a call.

The mention of Chris Smith, also on the trusted mechanic list, in Dover gives you a nice contrast. Chris is a mechanic for a large, well-established family service center in Dover. Expect higher prices and typical perks if you want to drop it off, get a loaner, and then pick it up all fixed. I would assume insurance limits the amount of teaching Chris can do in the work area, but I'm not sure. Give them a call and ask to talk to him.

You may want to peruse TommyT's thread. Rich (who is extraordinary) has moved on to Vermont to work in trains again, but there is someone he has passed the torch onto...maybe his apprentice of sorts. I don't have contact info for the new shop. I've had some minor work done by Scott Wallace as well. He certainly knows his stuff as well as anyone.

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=277441
 
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countryme

Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2010
Location
Southern Maine
TDI
1999.5 Jetta TDI
A huge thank you to Cindy and her husband who came with their VAG-com today. I was able to sort out most issues and get the actuator correctly adjusted. I do, however still have a smoking issue. According to the VAG-com, my injection timing is late. Any suggestions on how to attack this issue? Can it be adjusted with the computer to is it a mechanical adjustment? Also, I seem to have foaming fuel going to the injection pump. Gonna try and replace o-rings on the radiator fitting, but do you guys think that could be causing my late injection timing?

Thanks in advance,
-Jeremy
 

eb2143

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Dec 26, 2005
Location
Rhode Island
TDI
None
A huge thank you to Cindy and her husband who came with their VAG-com today. I was able to sort out most issues and get the actuator correctly adjusted. I do, however still have a smoking issue. According to the VAG-com, my injection timing is late. Any suggestions on how to attack this issue? Can it be adjusted with the computer to is it a mechanical adjustment? Also, I seem to have foaming fuel going to the injection pump. Gonna try and replace o-rings on the radiator fitting, but do you guys think that could be causing my late injection timing?
Thanks in advance,
-Jeremy
Jeremy: Do I understand correctly that you had zero smoking issues prior to the actuator replacement, then all you did was replace me the actuator and voila, it smokes like a train?
What was the injection timing, do you remember the number? Did you graph it? It's really a physical adjustment but I can't think why it would be any different than before your actuator replacement...
Some bubbles going to the pump are normal, but a steady stream of froth is not. Not sure why you would be replacing radiator fittings for a fuel line air leak? :confused:
Have you tried Rich T's recommended replacement for his clientele?
NutsnBolts said:
John Shapiro at Surefire Automotive in New Boston (who owns the garage at the top of the driveway where my shop was) has been taking lessons from me on TDI service, and is an excellent technician with over 20 years of experience who has already started serving many of my TDI customers. He can be reached at 603-497-4499.
 

countryme

Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2010
Location
Southern Maine
TDI
1999.5 Jetta TDI
Sorry for using bad terminology, I was referring to the fuel filter tee (looks like a radiator fitting). Thanks for the tip on John Shapiro. I may try talking to the guy in Dover first as it's an hour closer for me.

It's hard to say it was acting perfect before the actuator. I've been living with boost and limp mode issues for a couple months.
 

Campbellonh

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2003
Location
New Hampshire
TDI
formerly:Passat, 96, white and 10 Jetta, white gold
I actually have the logs on my computer for what we checked today. I'm not sure which timing number to post. I didn't log everything, but here is the Group 1 test: Address 01: Engine (038 906 018 EB)

13:31:10
55.4 % EGR Solenoid (N18)
924 /min Engine Speed (G28)
0.7 °BTDC Start of injection Specified
1.8 °BTDC Start of injection Actual
31.4 mg/str Start Injection Quantity
2.2 °BTDC Start Injection Actual
999.6 mbar Boost Specified
1030.2 mbar Boost Actual
24.7 % Charge Pressure (N75) Solenoid
6.4 mg/str Injected Quantity Actual
0.78 l/h Fuel Consumption

I thought I saved a graph too, but I can't find it now.

He definitely had a frothy stream, and we were able to affect it by pressing on the tee, so I'm thinking he needs o-rings.
Jeremy, if you can't get them locally, IDparts has them and they ship very quick from Mass. Here's a link: http://www.idparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=29_115&products_id=476
 

eb2143

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Dec 26, 2005
Location
Rhode Island
TDI
None
He definitely had a frothy stream, and we were able to affect it by pressing on the tee, so I'm thinking he needs o-rings.
]
I would agree.

Where did the injection timing plot on the TDITiming graph in reference to the blue, green, and red lines?
 

RockRockRock

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 13, 2008
Location
So Socal
TDI
2015 GSW M6
Thank you. You answered all of my questions without my having to ask.

I figured OP would be willing to travel a little up the coast for a guru's service. But proximity is obviously an important factor and you laid out what to expect very well. They all seem like good options.

Thanks again.


[this post/answer was directed at the OP in Southern ME, just realized it was Rock asking the question who isn't close to NH]

Herman is in Richmond. He has a detached garage at his house and does the work there. He has a scissor lift and will teach. You can get your hands dirty if you want to.

He does have little patience for monkey work that he has to undo, Chinesium parts, and general mistreatment of TDIs. Oh, and metal "skid" plates. :)

I appreciate his honesty, forthrightness, and genuine love for the TDI power plant. I don't think he's for everyone though. Give him a call.

The mention of Chris Smith, also on the trusted mechanic list, in Dover gives you a nice contrast. Chris is a mechanic for a large, well-established family service center in Dover. Expect higher prices and typical perks if you want to drop it off, get a loaner, and then pick it up all fixed. I would assume insurance limits the amount of teaching Chris can do in the work area, but I'm not sure. Give them a call and ask to talk to him.

You may want to peruse TommyT's thread. Rich (who is extraordinary) has moved on to Vermont to work in trains again, but there is someone he has passed the torch onto...maybe his apprentice of sorts. I don't have contact info for the new shop. I've had some minor work done by Scott Wallace as well. He certainly knows his stuff as well as anyone.

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=277441



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

POWERSTROKE

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jul 17, 2000
Location
Staten Island (The Dump)
TDI
2002 Golf
[this post/answer was directed at the OP in Southern ME, just realized it was Rock asking the question who isn't close to NH]

Herman is in Richmond. He has a detached garage at his house and does the work there. He has a scissor lift and will teach. You can get your hands dirty if you want to.

He does have little patience for monkey work that he has to undo, Chinesium parts, and general mistreatment of TDIs. Oh, and metal "skid" plates. :)

I appreciate his honesty, forthrightness, and genuine love for the TDI power plant. I don't think he's for everyone though. Give him a call....
I've used Herm for 12 years. He's a perfectionist and gets things done correctly. Go to him if you want things done correctly and properly the first time. I've learned my lesson the hard way with others on here that aren't really good tdi mechanics.
 

countryme

Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2010
Location
Southern Maine
TDI
1999.5 Jetta TDI
So, replaced the o-rings on the fuel filter fitting (no change in fuel froth) and during my first test drive, I am unable to get the car to rev above 2200 when under load. No CELs. Personally it feels fuel starved. For a 99.5 A4, could I have a lift pump problem? Would fuel starving cause the symtoms I am describing?
 

countryme

Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2010
Location
Southern Maine
TDI
1999.5 Jetta TDI
Sick A4 healed!!!

Update: Dumb mechanic of the year award goes to this guy. Realized while I was noodling through the stumbling, fuel starving problem that while I drained the fuel filter/water seperator to check for water, I was overdue to replace the filter. A quick trip to the autoparts store later and voila, power restored!!! Apparently my original concern about fuel supply was correct, I just failed to thnik it through enough and ensure I had replaced the fuel filter as required.

A great many thanks to all the help I got on the forum and especially to Cindy.
 

JetFixxxer

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 19, 2013
Location
Plymouth, MA
TDI
2002 Jetta
Just wondering if any of you Mainers know if that VW Mechanic in Pittston is still there. I think his name was Kimball or something like that. When I lived back home I use to take my VW gasser to him. He was the "guru" of the area.
 

Abacus

That helpful B4 guy
Joined
Nov 10, 2007
Location
Relocated from Maine to Dewey, AZ
TDI
Only the B4V left
Just wondering if any of you Mainers know if that VW Mechanic in Pittston is still there. I think his name was Kimball or something like that. When I lived back home I use to take my VW gasser to him. He was the "guru" of the area.
Oh, I know Kimball's garage, I've had to fix their screwups on more than one TDI.

DO NOT go to them if you want service work you can trust.
 
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