Few Questions

[Kyser]

Well Ive got a few issues that really should be looked into and I figured this would be the best place to start. Also temps around here are -5 to about 25 degrees as of late.

First off car specs:
1990 Tsi Awd, 5 speed manual, 165k miles

Recent problems solved: replaced ECU due to leakage of the caps

New/ongoing problems and questions:

1) Static sound from back of the car (fuel pump is back there I think) - no idea if this is something to be worried about or not

2) When coming to a stop (after going usually 30+mph) car likes to die

3) Ive thrown more alt/water pump belts than I can count over the 2 years Ive owned this car. No idea why the car just doesn't like them but after replacing I usually have about a month of no squeaking then out of the blue it starts again. To go along with this there are many tricks so to speak of to get it to stop but it always comes back after the car is turned off, even for just a few seconds.

4) Upon startup there was white smoke coming from the turbo/manifold area, seemed to go away after the car started warming up

5) After I replaced my ECU the check engine light has been coming on, usually after the car warms up some. Is there anyway to check the codes without taking it in somewhere?

Thanks for any and all help,
Lyle

 

[oldman]

1) Static sound from back of the car (fuel pump is back there I think) - no idea if this is something to be worried about or not

Not enough info.

2) When coming to a stop (after going usually 30+mph) car likes to die

Is the BOV recirculated? Have you check the ISC?

3) Ive thrown more alt/water pump belts than I can count over the 2 years Ive owned this car. No idea why the car just doesn't like them but after replacing I usually have about a month of no squeaking then out of the blue it starts again. To go along with this there are many tricks so to speak of to get it to stop but it always comes back after the car is turned off, even for just a few seconds.

Check the crank pulley/harmonic balancer for signs of separation.

4) Upon startup there was white smoke coming from the turbo/manifold area, seemed to go away after the car started warming up

Exhaust leaks.

5) After I replaced my ECU the check engine light has been coming on, usually after the car warms up some. Is there anyway to check the codes without taking it in somewhere?

http://www.vfaq.com/mods/wayback/BradBauer/electrical/code.html

Thanks for any and all help

You're welcome.

 

[Kyser]

Thanks again. Not sure what else I can give ya for the static noise thingy in the back so Ill just have to poke around and see what I can come up with. Those engine codes should do the trick after I get everything to actually read it. Ill check on the BOV being recirculated or not and the ISC when I have a chance, the ISC faq you gave me sounds alot like my problems. And also need to check the pully.

One more question that I forgot in the original post is about the oil pressure. At idle it seems to drop below the 1/3 mark on the gauge. As soon as im rolling again it goes back up to full strength but having that low oil mark concernes me when Im at a stop.

Thanks,
Lyle

 

[oldman]

My does the same, it's normal.