Starting problem after engine mounting bolts snapped

[VaulterTim]

Hi all,

Got a probelm I need some advice with. Apologies in advance for the essay!

Here's the lowdown...

I recently replaced the engine mounting bolts on the driver's side of a friends 1999 A3 1.9tdi because somehow they sheared! He has absolutely no idea about cars whatsoever so I stepped in to repair it for him.

The sheared bolts obviously resulted in the engine dropping on the drivers side and there it stayed. And even though he had driven it home about 8miles or so after he heard the 'bump' it would run... there were quite a few metal shavings where the cam pulleys had been rubbing against the engine mouting itself and the upper cam cover was knackered but apart from that it seemed ok.

The trouble I'm having is this... now that I have replaced the bolts, the engine won't run!

It starts after a long time cranking, runs for about a second then cuts out...

The oil warning light also comes on even though I've topped it up.

At first I thought it was air in the fuel since I had to remove the fuel hoses to get to the mounting... but all the air bubbles seem to have been pumped through now.

I'm thinking that maybe it slipped a tooth on the timing belt.. ? In which case it's engine :Flush: Need to get VAG-COM on there tomorrow to see if there are any codes stored but just wanted another opinion before I tear it all apart again. Any ideas?

Cheers

Tim

 

[347]

sounds more likely the fuel pump has lost its timing .

have you checked the fuel lines make sure none of them are kinked or squashed flat .

also on top of the fuel filter housing the fuel return pipe fitting has o ring seals which can cause air to get into filter if they get damaged

had a simular starting problem on my 98 110 a3 , which turned out to be the pump timing .

good luck !

 

[VaulterTim]

Thanks for the pointers dude... how do I check the fuel pump timing?? And why would it be out now?

Fuel hoses are ok, I disconnected them further back at the unions near the engine mounting itself... there was a bit of air to begin with but I cranked the car quite a bit so it's pumped through now.

Haven't had chance to get back over to the car as yet but may be poking my head in this weekend... although can think of better ways to spend it!

Thanks again

T²

 

[347]

i cant answer why it suddenly can move
mine happend while driving on A21 , proper fog machine smoke everywhere

limped home thinking had killed turbo

got home and it wouldnt start , done fuel filters , system bleed etc and same as what you have said would take mega cranking just to get a splutter .

ended up jumping the glow plug relay terminals to get it to run , limped it into a local specialist , who then found the pump timing problem , they had changed the cam belt 15k previously and couldnt say why it had happened .

i have no idea how to check or even adjust the pump timing

this may not be related to your fault but you never know !

 

[VaulterTim]

Ok, not to worry. But thanks for the input, much appreciated. Gives me a few ideas...

Anyone else?? There's got to be someone surely!

 

[VaulterTim]

Ok pump timing is easy enough to adjust, via the adjustable pulley that drives it which is run from the cam pully via the belt. That explains why a cambelt change would affect the fuel pump timing also. Hard to see why though if eveything was marked properly before it was taken off!

I had a bit of a play around with it yesterday and tried a few different positions for the pulley but to no avail. Need some decent weather to have good poke around since the car is stuck outside my mates flat at present Battery was dead too so I was jumping it from my car most if the time, doesn't help.

Anyone got any other suggestions? I'm surprised at the lack of response, there would usually have been a ton of ideas floating around by now!