Hi, appologies if this is the wrong section to ask (only joined today).

I have a Octavia 1.9TDI W (2000) 114,000 miles. Over took a lorry yesterday, just as I pulled in front, engine made funny noise lack of power and died. Managed to get onto side of road but car would not start. Called AA who when they arrived told me it could be lack of fuel as the car sounded like it wanted to start. AA put 20 liters in and managed to get car started but sounded alot noiser and white smoke coming out of exhaust. No oil in header tank so I don't think it is head gasket. AA said he would follow me to the nearest garage, but as I tried to pull away car stalled through lack of power. AA towed me home. I have started the car today and tried to get it to a garage but with foot to the floor car only rev's to 2/3000 rpms and white smoke??? Sorry about the long winded story.

Anyone got any idea what it could be??? I would be really grateful.

Thanks inadvance

Steve

Relay 109 is an option.

Hunt it down and replace it and see if you get anywhere as they were known to go and control many things including fueling.

Also worth asking, but have you had a new fuel filter or MAF any time in the last 60k miles?

Hi, Ive come across a similar problem with a Scania truck when the glass bowl under the fuel filter dropped off on the motorway. Loads of white smoke before engine died. Apparantly happens when air get sucked into fuel system while engine is running.. Might give a clue to the problem you have?

Sorry not more specific, havent had this prob with my Octy b4.:confused:

A "BiG thanks" to thoughs who have replied so far....

Just a follow up:-

Replaced Relay 109 - but still no good. Managed to get car started but still LOTS of white/grey smoke and knocking noise (like loud tappets). Tried to rev engine but would only go to 2/3000rpms (noticed no turbo noise?). Unplugged MAF and engine rev'd to near red line....... but still losts of white/grey smoke and knocking. I am assuming the smoke is excess fuel?? If the MAF was playing up would this cause the smoke, and general lumpyness? I am abit naive about what exactly the MAF does.

Thanks again to everyone so far.

Steve

hi it could be that the timing belt has slipped one notch, also check diesel filter for excessive water accumulation

The MAF tells the engine how much air is flowing in so it can fuel correctly.

I would find somebody local to you with vag-com and get them to scan your car.

Also since you're throwing out lots of white smoke I would also change (or drain water out if you can) the fuel filter as if it's not been done recently it could well be full of water.

Change fuel filter and MAF sensor will probally sort it.

Where in the UK are you as if your down my way I'm happy to scan the car.

Hi thanks for all this info, it is really appreciated. I'm based in a village called Fenstanton, between Cambridge and Huntingdon.

After reading the replies, I think it is the timing. The car has done 114,000 and the Cambelt is due at 120,000. I have taken the cambelt top cover off, the belt seems abit loose. I'm wondering if as one of the replies read above, whilst over taking the lorry and rev's being abit high the belt has jumped a tooth. I've take the MAF off and given it a birthday in a bowl of Isopropylalcohol which cleaned it up a treat, and I've drained the fuel filter (wasn't much water in it), managed to start the car with foot to the floor and cranking over for a minute or two, and it's still smoking and knocking.

As I keep saying thanks alot for the replies, it nice to know that there are people out there willing to help and offer advice.

Steve.

I'm not near you but at this point I'd take it in and get a computer diagnosis done, with the understanding that if it's timing then you get the diagnosis fee off a pre-quoted cambelt change price.

Hi to follow up on the possible jumping if that has happened it could be a broken belt tensioner which was not fitted the way it should have been. I would suggest you avoid starting the engine till you have eliminated the belt jumping or you might do a lot of expensive damage.

If its an old Tdi with rotary injection pump, then incorrect timing will lead to poor starting and white smoke.

It could be cambelt related but if it has jumped a notch then expect imminent catastrophic failure!

On these engines, the bottom crankshaft timing pulley can slip due to the key shearing.

Get the cambelt and timing checked before you run the engine anymore.