geowak

Hello,

I have a 1999 Audi A6 1.9TDI which I bought in Germany. I brought this car to the US and could not register it. I have two questions:

- Anybody knows if there is anyway to get this car registered. US customs has a list for Registered Commercial Importers that do car conversion for US safety (DOT) and emission (EPA) compliance. One of those asked for 10 months and $20k, which is rediculous.

- The car started losing power as I was going up the Grape Vine On I-5 toward Los Angeles. This should be because of the fuel injection system. Mechanics here are scared to look at it as soon as I say "Audi Diesel". A foreign mechanic cleaned the fuel injectors a while ago. That made a difference for a week or so, but later things were as before. I tried the fuel injection cleaners sold at Auto zone, but that had no effect.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

George

Feuerstein

Could also be turbo, crankcase ventilation and clogged cat, if it's anything like the 2.5TDI I've been struggling with.

geowak

Thanks. I've been doing a lot of reading today. I agree, the fuel injection is one thing to think of. Causes could be:
- air in fuel system
- mass air flow (MAF) sensor
- fuel pump timing
- clutch adjustment - no free play
- ...

geowak

One note I got that could help the forum is a possible fuel pump failure (leaking or sucking-in air) from the ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD).

I am quoting --- "Both biodiesel and most petroleum highway diesel sold before the fall of 2006 cause pump seals to swell, but ULSD, which was introduced in most US markets around October 2006 causes the seals to shrink. If the seals shrink enough, the fuel pump will leak fuel and/or suck in air. The symptom of pump failure in Turbo Diesel Injection (TDI) engines has been difficult or unable to start because of air that entered fuel lines through the leaky seals. Chevron acknowledges that ULSD can cause seals to fail."

Wahhab

it ran better for a while then things got back to where they were before. So it is a possibility.

GT17V

First, which TDI motor?

110 hp?
Pumpe Duse?

It could be a multitude of issues related to the fuel injection system: MAF, turbo, N75, etc.

YukonAudi

can they provide you a list of the deficiencies in your model and year car?
***** in their court I would suspect. Otherwise I'm sure there's an ambulance-chaser out there who could press a case of obstruction against the powers you are dealing with.
A couple phone calls don't cost much more than time.
Good luck!

geowak

Thank you... No, they couldn't tell what the deficiencies are. This is a pity.

What is interesting is that I found out that this car is eligible for importation through an Independent Commercial Importer (ICI).
* Audi A6 1998-1999
* Import Eligibility Number: VSP-332
* Docket number: NHTSA-1999-6038, NHTSA-2000-7436.

This car is not very powerful, it has a small engine (110HP), but the turbo makes it great. It drives 38 miles/gallon.

geowak

Yes, 1.9TDI, 110HP. Thanks.

GT17V

Good thing the 110 is very similar to the 90 hp ALH motor in the US, especially since the PD's never came in the 110 hp (100, 105, 115, 130, & 150 for the 1.9L PD motors)-- a good TDI mechanic would know its very similar, with the primary exception of .205 injector nozzles.

Common causes for power loss:
1. MAF (it's extremely crappy & fragile)
2. If you have an EGR on it--- it clogged the EGR & Intake Manifold.
3. Hopefully it's not a blown turbo.

There is a TDIclub recommended place by LA:
EF1 Motorsports
2675 Dawson Street
Signal Hill, CA 90755
(562) 424-3378 Ask for Fabrizio
www.ef1motorsports.net/