Location Transport

I have a 2001 VW T4 transporter 2.5tdi that is hard to start.?

Turns over very fast as if there's no compressio, no diesel is coming out of the injectors and no air is being sucked through the air intake. Usually after trying to start about 6 to 8 times she fires up instantly with absolutly no problems and continues to run spot on with the same power, revs everything all day long if I need to. I have had to call out the wonderful RAC on 2 occasions and both times they were tottally baffaled just as I am. I have the problem if the engine is hot as well as cold. It seems to me like it must be an engine manigment problem for everything to stop working at the same time but hopefully sombody out there may be able shed some light on my anoying problem. She has fly-by-wire throttle and cruise control fitted. Another thing is that she won't go over 75mph max unless going down a large hill. Is this normal for a 2.5tdi t4 or could it have a restrictor fitted? Any help is greatly appriciated

Public Comments

1. Already I see it is problematic when it takes 6 to 8 times to fire it up. 1-2 is more like it.(which would sound like fuel pump timing is off bigtime) If there is no compression THAT is a problem. Diesels are 400psi+. Blown head gasket or bent valves. You are looking at an engine overhaul. Just hope the fuel injection pump didn't pack it in otherwise you can boat anchor the whole enchalada. It will be pricey. And it can't do over 75mph? Did you consider that with the horsepower that it has, that is all that it can push? But yeah the diesels do have a govenor in the fuel injection pump in the gas and in the diesel.
2. Could be an injector pump, or timing belt, or head gasket. As for exceeding 75 mph, h*** this thing is a brick, and a diesel too not a GTi!