Golf 2 Turbodiesel: Troubleshooting Vibration Issues

Hello everyone,

I might be in the wrong place (information about >modern< turbodiesel engines), but maybe someone can still help me.

I have a Golf 2 GT (turbo-)diesel from 1991 with a 1.6-liter engine and 59 kW. It has an injection pump (a good old one *chuckle*) and an intercooler (original). It has just under 145,000 kilometers on the odometer (which isn't a lot for a 12-year-old diesel). I've replaced wear-and-tear parts like the air filter, fuel filter, coolant, oil, gas shock absorbers, timing belt, etc. (even the engine mounts) within the last six months.

I'm experiencing the same problem as here , with wavy acceleration (and also deceleration using engine braking or driving at a constant speed). This 'wobbling' always accompanies me , and the higher the speed, the less noticeable it becomes. It's particularly bad at around 50 km/h (approximately 2000 rpm) when using engine braking; I almost have to shift into 2nd gear so I don't hit my head on the steering wheel (okay, a bit of an exaggeration).

Of course, I don't have a built-in computer, so I don't have any 'high-tech' way to check the problem.

Are there any causes that could affect my engine's performance and be transferable? Could this be related to my fuel pump? The most common responses I've received from workshops so far have been: 'I don't notice any issues' or 'that's normal for an old diesel' blah blah...

It really bothers me; I would even pay for it to stop , as long as the car runs smoothly.
So far, no one has been able to give me any concrete advice (other than suggesting I buy a new car (haha )... but the car has a special value for me).


Best regards,
Mark


If the topic has already been discussed in a thread about a Volkswagen Golf Mk2, I apologize that my research wasn't thorough enough, and I hope someone can direct me to that thread.

We experienced similar wavy driving behavior in a VW BUS JX (which is very similar to the JR model in the Golf, with a 70 hp diesel engine).

Observing the bus, it was very clear that the boost pressure, and therefore the LDA (likely referring to a specific sensor or reading), decreased, recovered, and then reached its full value again.

It's not that easy to look into the open engine compartment at speeds of 70-90 km/h to observe the LDA.

But I suspect it's either a fuel supply issue or a leak in the charge air system.

m;

'I'm experiencing this issue (jr-motor) when the suction resistance in the diesel line becomes too high, for example, if the filter is clogged. However, the problem gets worse as the engine speed and load increase. You can easily check this by connecting a verschandeln fuel hose to a similarly verschandeln container filled with diesel and securing the whole setup at the front of the engine compartment (e.g., using an old oil can). If the problem disappears, it's definitely related to the diesel supply line, meaning the filter, the tank, or the line itself.'

Thank you for the prompt replies.

It will be tested this weekend, maybe I'll find someone who can, while doing a split at 80 km/h, leaning on the air filter and the windshield washer reservoir, look at the LDA .

The second suggestion is then less risky, so I will do that one myself .

I'll let you know.

Best regards, Mark.

I've experienced something similar before, and it took me quite some time to find a solution.

Please check the mounting screws of the pump, especially those on the support near the fuel injection lines.
That was my mistake.
The screws on the bracket that attaches to the engine block, behind the fuel injection pump, were loose. (It's difficult to access). As you described, there was significant swaying at 50 km/h, but it decreased as the speed increased.

Best regards, HHRasputin.

HHRasputin's suggestion is 100% accurate. I had the same problem with a Golf 1 with the 1.6L naturally aspirated diesel engine. It took me a while to find the error back then. During the troubleshooting process, I accidentally rested my hand on the EPUMP (electric pump) to steady myself, and that caused the engine speed to increase.

Regards,
Hermann.