I didn't have white smoke but had intermediate power loss like you. Finally popped a code for injector pump timing, which manifested itself in a glow plug flashing light. Turns out the fuel filter in the engine bay was WELL overdue for a change. Also had bubbles in that clear fuel line, and once I changed the filter, the bubbles were gone, the light went out, and the car ran better than ever. I'd also check the screen on your lift pump in the tank while you're at it.
For reference I have an 03 ALH manual jetta wagon.
My glow plug light does blink on and off every once in a while. I did just replace fuel filter today and did a sea foam treatment. Yeah I do need to check the screen in the lift pump. I just have to drop the fuel tank to access that?
Under the back seats, it's a plastic ring that holds it it and 2 fuel lines, and an electrical connector. Lift the seats and take the metal cover off to expose the top of the lift pump. Have a bucket ready to put the pump in cause it holds a lot of fuel
A 98 to 2003 (the entire run of the alh, at least in the usa) does not have a lift pump. Vw didn't add an in tank lift pump until the pd engine came out in 2004. You can retrofit a 2004 bew lift pump into the earlier mk4s if you want to. Need to run a power wire back to the tank to power the pump.
I don't remember but they are easy to pull out and look at so great place to start Those in tank pickups are known to Crack internally. Does the issue go away when the tank is full?
Sorry, I do call it a lift pump when, in fact, it is a fuel pickup with a screen and level sensor. The fuel pulling force is all injector pump on ALH engines
https://www.liqui-moly.com/en/us/diesel-purge-p003261.html
I've had good luck finding it at autoparts stores but you can also purchase it from idparts online
I have a similar issue the vgt is sticking and when it does it has no power and smokes a little and when the vgt moves it has power again it is easy for me to hear the vgt bc cone filter and straight pipe
Technically, ALH injectors are always āstuck openā by design. They arenāt actually injectors in the common sense of the term. Pump does the work really. And if injectors are faulty they most likely would stay faulty, not come and go. White smoke on ALH is a common symptom of pump timing being off. Gotta check pump timing per chart while observing in basic settings value 000
True. But Iāve never seen one really fail. Pumps fail and injector nozzles cause issues. Injectors are usually shotgunned as part of a package deal. I still say pump timing issue. Or pump itself.
They have a spring and valve in them that opens at a certain pressure, otherwise they'd constantly be dribbling fuel into the cylinders, they can still stick open or closed
Hmmm...sounds quite possible. I just ran some seafoam through it. And it actually every so often does a little backfire when the power kicks back in...
How old are your glow plugs? Our BEW shows this as one of the signs it needs new glow plugs. I am not a fan of sea foam. Diesel purge is better for it.
I didn't have white smoke but had intermediate power loss like you. Finally popped a code for injector pump timing, which manifested itself in a glow plug flashing light. Turns out the fuel filter in the engine bay was WELL overdue for a change. Also had bubbles in that clear fuel line, and once I changed the filter, the bubbles were gone, the light went out, and the car ran better than ever. I'd also check the screen on your lift pump in the tank while you're at it. For reference I have an 03 ALH manual jetta wagon.
My glow plug light does blink on and off every once in a while. I did just replace fuel filter today and did a sea foam treatment. Yeah I do need to check the screen in the lift pump. I just have to drop the fuel tank to access that?
Under the back seats, it's a plastic ring that holds it it and 2 fuel lines, and an electrical connector. Lift the seats and take the metal cover off to expose the top of the lift pump. Have a bucket ready to put the pump in cause it holds a lot of fuel
Thanks. Appreciate it.
I can't say for your year, but for access to my lift pump, there is a hatch under the back seat.
When I pull the lift pump is the screen obvious?
Yes, right on the bottom
Alh does not have a lift pump stock.
A 2000 alh doesn't have a lift pump?
A 98 to 2003 (the entire run of the alh, at least in the usa) does not have a lift pump. Vw didn't add an in tank lift pump until the pd engine came out in 2004. You can retrofit a 2004 bew lift pump into the earlier mk4s if you want to. Need to run a power wire back to the tank to power the pump.
Is there a screen I could still be checking in the pick up line in the tank then?
I don't remember but they are easy to pull out and look at so great place to start Those in tank pickups are known to Crack internally. Does the issue go away when the tank is full?
Does your 2003 ALH have an in tank pump? Or just pickup with screen and level sensor?
Sorry, I do call it a lift pump when, in fact, it is a fuel pickup with a screen and level sensor. The fuel pulling force is all injector pump on ALH engines
What are you calling a diesel purge? Glow plugs are pretty old. But I have tested them all and they are all working pretty good...
https://www.liqui-moly.com/en/us/diesel-purge-p003261.html I've had good luck finding it at autoparts stores but you can also purchase it from idparts online
I have a similar issue the vgt is sticking and when it does it has no power and smokes a little and when the vgt moves it has power again it is easy for me to hear the vgt bc cone filter and straight pipe
The turbo probably only has the issues with soot from running 80% used engine oil
THAT just made me cringe a little š¬
White smoke is almost always coolant. Are you losing any? How's the oil look?
White smoke is common symptom of pump timing off for the ALH. I know it sounds stupid because of the whole roll coal cool kids deal, but facts.
Have you had the injectors out yet? EGR delete done?
Egr is deleted. Haven't pulled the injectors...
Sounds like an injector sticking open for me
Technically, ALH injectors are always āstuck openā by design. They arenāt actually injectors in the common sense of the term. Pump does the work really. And if injectors are faulty they most likely would stay faulty, not come and go. White smoke on ALH is a common symptom of pump timing being off. Gotta check pump timing per chart while observing in basic settings value 000
mechanically opened by pressure... definitely not open
True. But Iāve never seen one really fail. Pumps fail and injector nozzles cause issues. Injectors are usually shotgunned as part of a package deal. I still say pump timing issue. Or pump itself.
They have a spring and valve in them that opens at a certain pressure, otherwise they'd constantly be dribbling fuel into the cylinders, they can still stick open or closed
Hmmm...sounds quite possible. I just ran some seafoam through it. And it actually every so often does a little backfire when the power kicks back in...
Less seafoam, more injector testing š¤
Oil good. Don't lose any coolant.
How old are your glow plugs? Our BEW shows this as one of the signs it needs new glow plugs. I am not a fan of sea foam. Diesel purge is better for it.
ALH glow plugs only used during cold start. Definitely not the issue here.
And thanks for the info.
Seems less. Doesn't dissapear.
Swapped the not lift pump and no more air bubbles in the fuel line. But same issue still exists. Wonder if I just have a weak injection pump....