My Poorly mk4 TDI ARL 150 - Symptoms...help!

[skcollob_ho]

Good morning all, I was hoping someone could help me identify the symptoms of my tdi, which decided to go sick on the way home last night.

A few days ago, the speedo stopped working. The fuel guage went all over the place driving around corners etc, which i understand is a common fault with mk4's, and which i was going to tackle this weekend. I don't know if this problem has anything to do with the issues that i am now experiencing, but thought i'd mention it, just in case.

My ARL is on 150k, and 6 months ago had a new DMF fitted.

Now this....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7QtWKQxBig

There is also a dull sort of knock from the gearbox side, but you can't make it out.

I have to drive 60 miles a day to/from work, so taking it down the motorway in this state was an obvious no-no, but before i call the AA out, i'd like to have an idea of what it could be. I plugged in my cheap code reader, and no dtc have come up. I've not had any messages on cluster either, but that could be down to my speedo being knackered (?).
Also, and this is a long shot i know, but i've only recently moved to Dunstable, so if anyone knows of someone reputable in the Dunstable/Luton area that i can get the AA to tow my car to, i'd be grateful!

Thanks for looking, and for any help/light you might be able to offer.

[scarr89]

There maybe a fuse to the speedo that has blown? - Total guess.

That fluttery sound when you out your foot on the gas sounds a little leaky. Check around all of the seals of your entire boost system. 

Defo get a cheap scanner though, see waht you pick up.

[Rhyso]

Speedo gets its signal from a sensor on the top of the gearbox I believe; worth poking your head under the bonnet for a quick check.  It's not uncommon for the wires to chafe / fail

[skcollob_ho]

Right, AA came out. Started her up and straight away said bottom end. My heart sank.

Got the car over to the garage, a diesel engine expert that seemed to know his chips over the phone, and as soon as he fired her up and heard the dull knocking, said it was top end. The dull knocking is apparently coming through the air box. He said he's done a few Golf's over the years and this is the classic symptom of 'chocolate cam' and worn lifters.

He's going to whip the rocker off and check it out to be sure, but he sounded pretty confident.

Fingers crossed its the cheaper option. Well £600 isn't cheap but hey ho, what's a wedding fund for if you can't dip into it now and then!?

[Rhyso]

Ah you got the dreaded 'chocolate cam' failure 

To be fair you've done well to reach 150K before having to replace them 

[topher]

just watched the video, i hear that noise about once a week in various pd engines, mostly 150 versions. It will be your cam/lifters unfortunately. I don't think we charge £600 for it though, i'd have to double-check that.

as rhys said the wires for the speedo sensor are prone to chafing. whip the battery tray out to check.

[scarr89]

Right, AA came out. Started her up and straight away said bottom end. My heart sank.

Got the car over to the garage, a diesel engine expert that seemed to know his chips over the phone, and as soon as he fired her up and heard the dull knocking, said it was top end. The dull knocking is apparently coming through the air box. He said he's done a few Golf's over the years and this is the classic symptom of 'chocolate cam' and worn lifters.

He's going to whip the rocker off and check it out to be sure, but he sounded pretty confident.

Fingers crossed its the cheaper option. Well £600 isn't cheap but hey ho, what's a wedding fund for if you can't dip into it now and then!?

Curious to how the noise would be coming from or through the airbox?

[skcollob_ho]

I'm a little puzzled as to the source of the sound coming through the airbox, but in all fairness, he did explain how, but i just can't remember!

He came back to me today, to confirm the cam [more specifically one/two of the lobes and lifters] had worn through.

Parts on order, and the complete job is going to set me back 700.

265 parts.
50 for bolts.
10 Oil filter.
270 for 6 hrs labour.

Sound about right?

[scarr89]

Parts sound about right I say. There is a good guide on UKMKIVS iirc - You could tackle your self?

£45 P/H doesn't sound too bad either.

Your should run like new afterwards, and you won't need to do it again while you own the car!

[skcollob_ho]

I'm excited at the prospect of it driving like new!

Will it run better all around? Acceleration? Fuel consumption?