GTD lack of power -> non-starter -> Sad Jay

[Martz]

Jay, I am certain the alternator belt was done early last year, along with the cambelt?? I could be wog though. Might need tightening.

[Jay]

It was squealing like a little piggy   

I tightened it up and it looks OK and ain't making any more noise, if you're sure it was done last year I'll just keep the belts in the car as a backup.

[cняis]

It was squealing like a little piggy   

I tightened it up and it looks OK and ain't making any more noise, if you're sure it was done last year I'll just keep the belts in the car as a backup.

for what they cost (about £5-£8) its worth having a spare... i do. but then i buy them for about £1.50 (cost) 

also the alternator belt tension adjuster bolts (with the splined nut) can be bought off GSF for a few quid when you strip the spline off 

[Diamond Hell]

Spot on, back each injector off in turn and you should get the air out.

Sorry, but the VW diesels are self-bleeding.  If there is air in the system it should works it's way through the system either while the motor is turning over, or when it's running.  If you are seeing air in the system then it is being introduced somewhere along the way, which indicates there is something wrong and the air is the sympton, not the cause of your running issues.

[Wayne]

Spot on, back each injector off in turn and you should get the air out.

Sorry, but the VW diesels are self-bleeding.  If there is air in the system it should works it's way through the system either while the motor is turning over, or when it's running.  If you are seeing air in the system then it is being introduced somewhere along the way, which indicates there is something wrong and the air is the sympton, not the cause of your running issues.

So would you think it is drawing in air say through a failed olive on a fuel line maybe.

[Diamond Hell]

That's possible, but because fuel line fittings are static I would look (depressingly) to pump seals as a more likely point of failure. 

They're a hard working seal, which does wear.

What's it like on starting?  Easy all the time, or randomly doesn't want to start very well.

Inspect all hard and soft fuel feed lines for condition and ANY dampness.  I've seen the hard lines between the pump and the injectors corrode away and spray a fine mist into the engine bay before now.  When the motor was shut off it was the pipe to fill with air, so the motor would start on three and gradually come up to four and then run fine.

[FourCams]

the old boy will sort ya if you take the car in, never has he let me down for  al the cars i been in for bits, he normally just shouts numbers out to the 2 lads  - who needs a PC 

my boss does this and scarily i can do it now too :-| and then get the piss ripped.. by DH and danny..

rubjohnny wannabe

[Jay]

Usually if I turn the key to get the glow plug light on give it a second or two then switch on it starts right away. But when I first got it, I started it right away.

Should I let the glow plugs work their magic for a few seconds before attempting to start it up? Or should I start looking at the fuel pump/lines and seals?

[Martz]

^I used to let the lights go off first before I started it. Glow plug thing??

[Jay]

It is because the glow plugs warm up diesel and make it easier to ignite, I've just had a few easy starts without having to wait, usually after a run so I guess the diesel in the pump is already warm enough to start up straight away.

Still loving it 

Had a nod from a local bloke in a blue MK4 with body kit @ the Esso a few mins ago. He couldn't keep his eyes off of it