Problem getting the car to move!

[rahsut]

Have been having this strange problem intermittently. Does not happen always so I can't reproduce it. It happens regardless of how warm or cold the engine is. And when it happens, I am usually in traffic and can't experiment things. Here is the scenario:
· I am at a red light, light changes to green
· I shift into 1st, let the clutch out, car moves like a snail...
· I push on the accelerator, car revs, and there is lot of smoke. There is some clapping sound at high RPMs. Car still does not move like it usually does
· I ride the clutch, but with no effect
· I slowly (spewing lots of smoke) pull over to the side, and try the same sequence a couple of times
· Car moves and everything is back to normal

Can anyone throw some light on what could be happening?

Thanks.

 

[BawlsyTDI]

Could be your N75 valve, or maybe your relay 109 is going bad. Check those first.

 

[rahsut]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Relay 109 - my understanding is that the indicator of its failure is the glow plug light. My glow plug light does come on when I trun the ignition key. So relay 109 may not be the problem...

N75 - I checked with VAG-COM and do not have any DTCs set. Could it still be the N75?

 

[tdipoet]

doesn't sound like 109 to me at all. i wonder if it's a problem with your clutch?

hard to say without seeing it.

 

[rahsut]

Well, I did the clutch test... (engage the hand brakes, put the car in 2nd, rev to about 3000 rpm, let go of the clutch... and see if engine shuts off) ... and it did... so, I don't know if clutch is the problem...

 

[rahsut]

OK, I think the problem could be because of a gradually failing MAF. I disconnected the MAF and have driven the car for a while without seeing the problem.

Am goint to get the MAF replaced under warrenty, and see how it goes... /images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[rahsut]

Well ... replacing the MAF made the car run better, but the occasional stalling did not go away. Noticed a crack on the intercooler, cleaned the crack area and put some epoxy to seal the crack... Will see how it goes...

 

[TDICa]

Well it seems to me that if the engine is rev'ing and little or no power is getting to the wheels; there is a disconnect or slip between the engine and tranny/transaxle. I'd look for bent or busted springs on the pressure plate ass'y of the clutch. Maybe crimped clutch cable, but I'm pretty sure you have a hydrolic(sp) clutch. Also check slave cyclinder and fork for binding.
Good luck!! /images/graemlins/cool.gif
PS "Rev engine to 3000 rpms and pop the clutch in 2nd ?" You know you can really damage the clutch that way? don't you? That's bad for a gasser; even worst on a high torqueing diesel!

 

[rahsut]

Well, actually it was a mechanic at a local VW dealership who did the clutch test (rev up and dump the clutch). I agree its not good for the car, but it might be one way to test the clutch...

 

[oilhammer]

Your DMF is coming apart...been there many times with customers' cars. Very common, moreso on the 1.8T.

DMF= Dual Mass Flywheel

(if your interested ONYX has a brand new DMF/clutch setup off of his new engine that we did not use...we went to an upgraded one since his car has been chipped, etc.)

 

[rahsut]

Thanks for the input, guys. I will go check the clutch assembly.

Is there a wat to test the DMF?

 

[oilhammer]

[ QUOTE ]


Is there a wat to test the DMF?

[/ QUOTE ]

Remove it from the car. I am not being sarcastic, there really is no way I know of. I just know they can be problematic.

 

[djdluck]

[ QUOTE ]
Your DMF is coming apart...been there many times with customers' cars. Very common, moreso on the 1.8T.

DMF= Dual Mass Flywheel



[/ QUOTE ]

Is it the liquid from a leaking DMF that makes the clutch slip ?

 

[oilhammer]

No, when they start to go bad they will not allow the pressure plate to fully squeeze down on the disk...hence the massive slippage and sometimes even smoke from under the hood as it finds its way out of the bellhousing.

When I worked for Volkswagen these were VERY common failures, but usually on the 1.8T. I worked there when the 1.8T just came out in the transverse-mounted cars. But I have seen the same thing happen in the TDI as well.

The A3 TDI, as well as all VR6 cars, have a conventional and indestructible (within reason) single-piece flywheel. Luckily you can install these in place on the DMF setup with the correct spring-equipped clutch disk. I've done quite a few of these conversions because of a failed DMF or slipping clutches from chipped late model A4 TDIs. Works great!

 

[rahsut]

hmmm... maybe i'll get the clutch upgrade from dieselgeek....