VW TDI problems... are there any good TDI shops in town?

[whatthe]

I posted this on beyond, but they recommended asking on here...
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It seems like everybody I know is having problems with their car or is looking for something related to them lately. I don't have the time to really help at the moment, other than to ask a quick q for one of them.

The car - a 2002-03ish TDI, apparently "it is not making any power now, and they can't hear the turbo". With diesels, this could be a few issues besides just assuming turbo, so I was hoping there were some reccomendations for guys/shops in town with tdi diesel experience for my friend.

If something isn't just simply plugged, stuck, fuel, whatever, and it is a munched turbo... are they a PITA to change on these?

[Stonewall]

Re: VW TDI problems... are there any good TDI shops in town?

Less power or no power? There is a huge difference for dignostics. First check the 'snowscreen' on the air intake to the air box. Next reach in behind the motor when it is cold and feel for the vnt actuator as it maybe stuck which would cause the turbo to not create boost. You can always throw a boost gauge on to see if you are creating any boost (or use a vag-com). Last of all it could be the N75 valve that controlls the vnt on the turbo. If you need pictures for any of these items do a search on the tdiclub.com forums.

[Hardy_Boy]

Re: VW TDI problems... are there any good TDI shops in town?

yea on tdiclub.com they have a whole trouble shooting section in thier FAQ's

[whatthe]

Re: VW TDI problems... are there any good TDI shops in town?

I believe it is drastically less... I was going to have a quick look at it tonight for them. I'll check out those things you mentioned, slap on a boost gauge (I don't have anything VW specific like hte vag-com), maybe take off a few hoses. Beyond that, I don't have the time to help them which is why I was hoping to find them a good tdi related shop/guy in town.

His wife that drives the car is Mrs. Donthittheaccelerator and she had problems with 'carbon' buildup in the chamber several weeks ago. I'm wondering how bad the carbon build-up was, and if the method of removal by the mechanic or lacky at the dealer they took it to caused subsequent problems. I saw a picture on tdiclub of the inside of someones intake manifold that was frightening.

[Hardy_Boy]

Re: VW TDI problems... are there any good TDI shops in town?

if you remove the hose that conncets to your egr valve you can get a pretty good idea of what the carbon build up looks like.

[stefan]

Re: VW TDI problems... are there any good TDI shops in town?

is it in limp mode? do you get the power back for a bit after re-starting the car?

[Stonewall]

Re: VW TDI problems... are there any good TDI shops in town?

Believe me that if you have turbo problems you will barely be able to drive the car

[bart]

Re: VW TDI problems... are there any good TDI shops in town?

see the tunedub section, contact george! he does decarbs all the time, so if its that, its no problem, its quite laborly though. myself i'm getting a bigger intake manifold installed as we speak.

[Stampfan]

Re: VW TDI problems... are there any good TDI shops in town?

The most common problem is a slowing dying MAF (oiled air filter? K&N?).

Start it up sometime when its at normal operating temp. Put the car in neutral, put on the parking brake. Mash the accelerator to the floor. Watch the RPM's. If its not making it successfully to the mid-point of the redline (4500 RPMs?) its probably your MAF. $130 part at the dealership that you can put on in 10 minutes yourself.

The MAF is the most common problem with performance issues.