Rough Idle + Acceleration, Inconsistent Starting

Maintenance/Repairs
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1

Good morning all,

I have a 2006 VW Golf TDI, that has a rough/vibrating idle, and rough/vibrating acceleration through lower RPMs. Once she’s up to speed, the vibration seems to lighten up, especially after shifting up gears. After also pairing that up with having a harder time starting her up at times (inconsistently won’t turn over, have to wait a bit after coil symbol turns off), the internet says that it’s probably the glow plugs. However, after talking briefly with a mech over the phone, he said it could be something with the EGR, but there’s no check engine light?

If anyone has any insight, please help me out. Trying to figure out what to check out myself first before paying the arm and leg for someone else to do it.

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I’d check the compression. How many miles? Is valve adjustment recommended?

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3

Engines vibrate, engine mounts isolate the vibration from the body/chassis. If the engine mounts are old, hard and compressed, they should be replaced.

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4

A problem with the glow plugs won’t cause an engine to not turn over. It will turn over but not start.

Just because there isn’t a check engine light doesn’t mean there are no fault codes stored or there isn’t a problem. If you do a visual inspection and find no obvious issues it’s time for an actual diagnostic with some test equipment.

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