naudeap

Good day all

This is a long read so get a cuppa java first.

I have 2004 1.9.TDI. It has 350Km on the clock and has been serviced religiously by the dealer till 330K. I then started getting a jerk / flat spot during winter when the car temp was between cold and running temp. I could actually predict when it would start with the jerking.
It was however a slight jerk and would go away when I accelerate or drive above 120km.
It would eventually go away when it reached running temp. It sometimes couldn't even get to running temp in winter.
I drive from Benoni to Centurion every day. 105KM round trip.
I then took it to a "German car specialist" in Centurion who serviced the car and also change a sensor that "manages" the temp / choke mode??? and also the thermostat.

When I got it back it ran perfectly again, till about a month ago 10k after service and above work.
Then it started jerking when it reached running temp.
Once again I could almost predict when it would start. It also started off with a slight jerk every now and then, but after about 10-15KM I would not feel it again.

Now its almost all the time.
Then this past Sunday it go so bad the ESP light came on and the car went into limp mode.
I also almost went into limp mode.
However when I got home I switched off and back on again and it was "fine" till about 200m from home and it started all over again and eventually back into limp mode.
The engine mngt light was now also on.

So I went to google... It seemed I wasn't alone, but I couldn't really find any obvious cause, however most spoke about the MAF and EGR valve.

ah... ok so I disconnected the MAF, drove for 400m and the car started to jerk and eventually went into limp mode.

Went back home. Switched off the car then back on again. went driving for over 10 KM's slight jerk every now and then.

Went back home and plugged the MAF back in, just to make double sure, engine Mngt light is still on though, went driving for over 10KM's again slight jerk every now and then, same as when I had it unplugged and it didn't go into limp mode.

Then it started doing it while cold until normal running temp, then it was fine.
It basically got worse. I had to let the car got to normal temp (90 degrees) first before I could drive.

5000Km later and now it stays in limp mode, no matter what I do.
I have to travel 120Km to work daily, I cannot afford this to happen.

Now I'm stumped.

I'm not a mechanic. I have a hammer and a screw driver somewhere.

I need a Audi TDI specialist, who dreams about TDI's, for online help.

pps. I changed the fuel filter (and seals) about 500KM ago when it start jerking at running temp.

I bought this car new in Dec 2004 and I have had absolutely no problems, it has been extremely good to me.
In fact my average diesel consumption since 2004 overall has been 5.4l/100KM.

Please help. I cannot afford to buy a "new" car now.

I can also be pm on naudeap@gmail.com.

naudeap

I forgot to mention, a colleague of mine did the diagnostic test. The diagnostic says intermittent electric fault on injector on cylinder 1.

HBarlow

I'm not a mechanic either but a faulty or failing injector could probably cause the problem you're experiencing.

I would have a set of new or rebuilt injectors installed if I were in your situation and wanted to keep the car.