3.0 TDI Service

[47p2]

There are 2 different lots of drains you need to ensure aren't blocked. Firstly the bulkhead drains

D3 Bulkhead drains

The good news is you can access them from below the vehicle if you can raise the vehicle high enough, the bad news is you will need a ramp, the good news is I have a ramp



I'm sure next you take your car in for an MOT and speak nicely to the examiner they will clean the pipes for you as it only takes a couple of minutes with a long screwdriver or similar tool to prod the crud out.

The good news is nothing needs to be removed to do this from underneath the vehicle. With the vehicle raised locate the gearbox mountings, then looking slightly towards the front of the vehicle on the transmission tunnel you should be able to see the pipes

This is the off-side




The near side looks easier to gain access, but the exhaust gets in the way so a long screwdriver was used to clear the rubbish out.
I then stuck the vacuum cleaner into the end of the pipes and sucked through any crap that was remaining.


After sorting out the bulkhead drains you need to check the Air-con evaporator drains

D3 air-con evaporator drains

These are accessed from behind the carpet at the gearbox tunnel. You will have to remove the foot rest on the driver side by removing the bolt cover and 8mm bolt, the footrest then slides upwards to disengage it from its fixing




Then just pull the carpet down a few inches to gain access to the drain tubes


The passenger side is even easier as there is no footrest. Access is however hampered slightly with some wiring so rather than risk snagging a cable I refitted the drain tube with a jubilee clip as access with the Clic-R clamp pliers was rather limited

[Burnzybubbles]

Bugger had mot today at a mates garage, he even offered me to have a poke around underneath whilst it was in the air, I completely forgot to do the drains

[47p2]

I think the bulkhead drains are more prone to blocking than the air-con drains on the D3. Even more so if your car is kept outside and especially at this time of the year with all the leaves blowing off the trees they soon wreak havoc.

[Burnzybubbles]

I'v done the air con ones previously, mine is outside and picking up crap lol!

I'm sure he'll let me pop back at some point with a screwdriver, I knew about these as well but not driving it for a while I've forgot all about them

[Mechcanico Lee]

Just to add to this , my car is the 4.2 tdi and on a ramp it is really difficult to get the drains from underneath ......its hard to see them never mind get a them !! maybe the 3L is a bit easier ...not sure

From the top side iirc , the passenger one is not to bad just get a good torch and shine down the side of the pollen filter casing to the bottom of the well you will see it , i used a blow gun with a length of copper brake tubing attached so you can bend it about a bit , just give them a poke and a blast (sounds sexual init )

The drivers side one is more arkward because the heater pipe work and wiring looms are in the way , but with your sturdly constructed bendy metal blowing tube and a bit of 'fettling ' (st. helens word meaning fixing up ) you will do it .

Word of caution ..... just beware of 'blow back ' you could end up eating all kinds of Flora and Fauna ....acorns and 'helicopter seeds' mmmm Oak tree leaves with liver and glass of Chianti .....slurp slurp slurp

[tc4332]

Lee, Does that mean you live near to God's country, that is Wigan.

[Mechcanico Lee]

I live Haydock , work in St Helens me old pie eating chum

[Johnmed]

That's just down the road from me^. I worked in St Helens for 10 yrs til last summer. I'm across the 'border' in Warrington.

[Mechcanico Lee]

One in Wigan , one in Warrington , myself in St. Helens ....anymore North West members ? ....

[tc4332]

Hi Lee,
I'm in Wigan as noted earlier, actually live literally around the corner from Wigan Pier, and am often in Haydock and St Helens.
Moltaue lives in Rawtenstall.
TinTin lives in Timperley, I think.
There are a couple of folk living in various locations in Manchester.
Check the members meets area, especially "North Westish".
It would be great if you could manage to join us on one of get togethers, nothing posh and expensive, just a few chaps and some of their spouses having a pleasant meander through the lanes (makes a change from the mad dash of work related motorway trips) and a country lunch.