Crafter Diesel: Bad Injectors Causing Multiple Issues

Had the exact same symptoms on my 2018 VW Transporter TDI. The rough running and excessive fuel consumption pointed directly to clogged fuel injectors. The vehicle showed identical issues, hard starting, power loss, and unstable idle. The repair required a complete fuel injection system cleaning and diagnostic testing of all injectors. Two injectors needed replacement due to internal wear causing improper atomization. This is a common issue with diesel engines when fuel quality is inconsistent or maintenance intervals are stretched. The job is quite involved since the entire fuel rail needs removal to access the injectors. Proper diagnostic equipment is essential, a shop must have specialized tools to test injection pressure and spray patterns. The repair took around 6 hours in total. This is definitely a serious issue that needs immediate attention. Continuing to drive with faulty injectors can lead to engine damage from improper combustion and carbon buildup. Make sure any replacement parts are OEM quality, as aftermarket injectors can be problematic. Watch for these quality indicators during repair: Full electronic diagnostic scan before and after, Injection pressure testing of all nozzles, Proper bleeding of the fuel system, Test drive confirmation of proper engine operation

Thanks for sharing your experience with the TDI injector problems. The symptoms match exactly what I am dealing with on my Crafter. Ended up having similar issues with poor vehicle performance and increased emissions. The fuel consumption problem was draining my wallet. The repair process you described sounds thorough. Good point about needing proper diagnostic equipment, I will make sure the shop can properly test injection patterns before letting them start. Getting gasoline injector replacement with non-OEM parts burned me before, so I appreciate the warning about parts quality. Would you mind sharing what the total repair cost was in your case? Also curious if you have had any issues pop up since the repair was done? Just want to know what I might be in for both cost-wise and reliability-wise going forward.

Just had the final invoice from getting my TDI fixed last month. The repair completely solved those nasty diesel engine problems we discussed. Since clearing the clogged injection system and replacing the defective nozzle, the van runs like new again. The total came to 515€, which included the diagnostic testing, system cleaning, and fixing the faulty injection valve. While it was not cheap, the improvement in performance and fuel economy made it worthwhile. The engine starts perfectly now, maintains steady power, and the excessive fuel consumption is gone. Have put about 3000km on it since the repair with zero issues. The proper diagnostic equipment they used really made the difference, they could pinpoint exactly which parts of the injection system needed attention rather than just replacing everything. Make sure your shop does the same thorough testing we discussed earlier. A properly working fuel injection system is crucial for diesel engine performance. When clogging occurs or components fail, it affects everything from fuel efficiency to engine longevity. Getting it fixed right with quality parts is worth the investment.

Just wanted to update on my Crafter situation after following the advice here. Finally got it fixed at a new shop that specializes in diesel injection systems. The vehicle runs perfectly now and fuel consumption is back to normal. Their diagnostic process was impressive, used proper testing equipment to check each injector. Found two completely clogged nozzles and one with irregular spray patterns. The gasoline consumption had been terrible because the engine was compensating for poor fuel delivery. Total repair came to 580€ including parts and labor. The replacement injectors were OEM parts as suggested. Really noticed the difference in performance right away, no more rough starts or stalling. The engine pulls strong again and emissions have clearly improved based on the exhaust color. Appreciate the detailed guidance about what to look for during repairs. Having that knowledge helped me choose a competent shop and understand exactly what work was being done. No more getting taken advantage of by mechanics who dont know what theyre doing.