Board logo

TDI wont turn over
Andrew Beattie - 16/12/08 at 11:35 AM

Hi, this is a bit off topic but hopefully someone can help.
I've been trying to get a vw tdi started in my mk1 transit. Got all the electrics working but then the starter just went 'clunk'.
Since then I've removed the starter and the glow plugs and still cant turn the crankshaft (g/b in neutral).
Is there anything I've over looked? atm I'm thinking the engine has to come to pieces

Thanks
Andrew

DarrenW - 16/12/08 at 11:59 AM

Does the starter work on the bench? Could it be starter solenoid fault? (sorry - i dont know the specifics of tdi starters).

Ive never tried turning a diesel engine over by hand but arent they all high compression, or have you tried with glow plugs out? (Is this the same as removing spark plugs - ie reduces the compression when turning by hand)?)


i doubt there would be much wrong with the engine especially if it was a runner before being installed in van.

Mr Whippy - 16/12/08 at 12:10 PM

hmm if you've removed the glowplugs then it should be very easy to turn, sure it really is out of gear? lift one of the drive wheels off the ground and see if it rotates with the engine.

[Edited on 16/12/08 by Mr Whippy]

Andrew Beattie - 16/12/08 at 12:14 PM

I've jacked up the wheels and tried to turn them. They spin round fine in neutral but are totally locked up in gear.

JohnN - 16/12/08 at 12:15 PM

Try pushing it, in gear with no glow plugs, that should turn it surely?

Mr Whippy - 16/12/08 at 12:21 PM

quote:
Originally posted by JohnN
Try pushing it, in gear with no glow plugs, that should turn it surely?


no don't, sounds more like this may cause damage to the engine if you force it

You need to check it out carefully, take the rocker cover off and see if something is blocking the cam, possibly a follower has jammed etc. Is there any clunking from the engine when you try to turn it in different directions or is it totally solid when you try rotating the crank pully?


oh btw if the vans like totally knackered...can I get the front axle for my hot rod?

worth a try...

[Edited on 16/12/08 by Mr Whippy]

Danozeman - 16/12/08 at 12:50 PM

Have u tried turning in anti clockwise??

Is the valve timing good?


quote:

I've jacked up the wheels and tried to turn them. They spin round fine in neutral but are totally locked up in gear.


This dont sound right to me either unless u have an lsd in it. Even in gear the wheels should still turn.

What gear box have you got in it?
Try turning the engine with someone pressing the clutch before you do anything else.. Might just be the box locked up.

novacaine - 16/12/08 at 05:27 PM

you havent put any sort of cam locking tool onto it if you fitted a new timing belt to it before you put it in have you?

Easy done, i speak from experience

best to get the obvious stuff out the way first

MikeRJ - 16/12/08 at 07:54 PM

quote:
Originally posted by novacaine
you havent put any sort of cam locking tool onto it if you fitted a new timing belt to it before you put it in have you?


The very first thought that sprang into my head!

Andrew Beattie - 17/12/08 at 04:49 PM

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions,

Good news is that the engine turns now, but only when the bellhousing-engine bolts were losened, or as it is now, with no g/b at all.

There is one bolthead in the bell housing which may be touching the clutch (didn't see any signs of this though). After checking that I'm stumped???

Andrew

DarrenW - 17/12/08 at 04:57 PM

Is the engine and gearbox all from the same donor (ie as has been run before OK)? Have you changed anything inside the bell housing (such as clutch)?

I assume it is an originally FWD set up that is now converted to RWD with some form of bellhousing adaptor though. Can you give a few more details ref what bits you have.

There is a guy in Practical Performance Car magazine who is building a Westfield with 1.9TDi, might be worth getting on that forum and seeing if you can get a reply from him. Car doesnt seem to get in the mag much though (its a build write up that appears occasionally). IIRC he is called Crispin. Just thinking that he must have done some form of RWD conversion.

Andrew Beattie - 17/12/08 at 05:10 PM



Its a type 9 with an adaptor between the g/b and vw bellhousing. Have been in contact with crispin, I cant remember exactly but I think he went a different route with gearboxs.

DarrenW - 17/12/08 at 05:16 PM

Unfortunately you are probs in that diy development zone where a mix of parts is required to ensure clutch etc all works.

Do you know what bits you have between engine and gearbox in case someone on here has knowledge of what is required. Also i wouldnt be surprised if there are a couple of 1.9TDi configurations so the more detail the better.

As you say though the answer may be easier if there could be a bolt head fouling something.


I do recall that there was a european company making VW to type 9 bell housings. Maybe hunting them down might point you in the right direction.

Stick with it - sounds like a great conversion.

Andrew Beattie - 17/12/08 at 05:25 PM

Thanks, hope its that bolt
Details below, may be of help?

Clutch Disc- custom: 23 splines for the type 9 and same diameter and thickness as a VW one.
Clutch cover- standard 1.9 TDI AHU
Clutch release bearing and lever- standard 1.9 TDI AHU
Clutch release bearing shaft- type 9 turned down to accept vw bearing

[Edited on 17/12/08 by Andrew Beattie]