My 05 Golf TDI rolled backwards while in 1st gear :(

[pat_00]

Last night my park brake failed and my golf rolled backwards down our driveway and into my neighbours house So the car has rolled about 40-50m down a hill. It was in gear.

I had to start the car to get it out of their garden and back up their steep driveway. It seemed to run fine until I went to turn it off and it didn't cut out straight away, it kinda reved down like it was slowly running out of fuel.

Could turning over backwards cause any issues with this motor? I understand that some engines don't like turning over backwards but some can handle it.

[benough]

This is quite odd.

Either the gear selector wasn't in 1st properly or your clutch is worn out.

Considering there was no spark or fuel going in, I can't see how. This is just a guess though.

[Gigitt]

Was it cold last night?
I'd be taking a closer look at the gnomes in your or your neighbours gardens... them get pretty silly when drinking to keep warm now it is getting colder.

[gldgti]

Considering there was no spark or fuel going in, I can't see how. This is just a guess though.

There is no spark with a diesel.

OP - its unlikely there will be any damage due to the engine being turned over backwards - even for that significant amount of revolutions except for the shut off flap in the intake. With the engine going backwards it would have been effectively pumping air from the exhaust side out the intake, and when the ignition is off, the throttle flap is shut. Its possible if enough pressure built up behind it that it might be stuck open, and when you turn off the car it will run on for a moment or two (this is why the tdi's have this valve there).

You can check it out pretty easily by turning the ignition on and off. Normally when you switch the ignition on, you can hear the flap opening.

****EDIT*** I'm not actually 100% certain that the flap stays closed when the car is switched off... it might only shut for a few moments then open again. I will check on my skoda tonight.

[getjet]

It was always my understanding that there is actually no throttle flap and engine speed in our engines is dictated by fuel.

The throttle flap you refer to is most likely the anti shudder valve (ASV) whose function is to stop air from going into the engine on shutdown. No air, no combustion.

If the ASV is rooted, then you increase the risk of diesel runaway.

This is when engine oil gets into the cylinders through the intake as opposed to diesel from the injectors (blown seal on turbo, lots of oil in the intake system from the ccv, etc). This oil then mixes with the air from the intake and the engine will run on its own until something blows...

Are you sure it was in gear? Mk5's have a cable style system for gear selection and perhaps it wasn't in properly?

Bit of an odd one but id get someone to do a quick check of the braking system and then have a look at the ASV.

[gldgti]

It was always my understanding that there is actually no throttle flap and engine speed in our engines is dictated by fuel.

The throttle flap you refer to is most likely the anti shudder valve (ASV) whose function is to stop air from going into the engine on shutdown. No air, no combustion.

If the ASV is rooted, then you increase the risk of diesel runaway.

This is when engine oil gets into the cylinders through the intake as opposed to diesel from the injectors (blown seal on turbo, lots of oil in the intake system from the ccv, etc). This oil then mixes with the air from the intake and the engine will run on its own until something blows...

Are you sure it was in gear? Mk5's have a cable style system for gear selection and perhaps it wasn't in properly?

Bit of an odd one but id get someone to do a quick check of the braking system and then have a look at the ASV.

sorry getjet, in typing away I used throttle where I shouldnt have. Indeed it does not throttle the air in the usually known meaning.

However, my description of its operation remains correct

[manol]

Clearly wasn't in gear properly, that will teach you for not turning your wheels when on an incline so the only place your car can go is further into the gutter.

[pat_00]

Been crazy busy this week.

Car was in gear for sure, I always park in gear as I have to drive up my driveway and I habitually put the clutch in and turn off the ignition. There is a possibility it was in second, i can sometimes pull up the drive in second if I don't have to stop for traffic.

The car was definitely running funny after driving it up my neighbours' drive.

Anyways, it's all academic now as the car is a write off Anyone got a mk5 2.0 TDI Golf for sale?.....

[manol]

Been crazy busy this week.

Car was in gear for sure, I always park in gear as I have to drive up my driveway and I habitually put the clutch in and turn off the ignition. There is a possibility it was in second, i can sometimes pull up the drive in second if I don't have to stop for traffic.

The car was definitely running funny after driving it up my neighbours' drive.

Anyways, it's all academic now as the car is a write off Anyone got a mk5 2.0 TDI Golf for sale?.....

Hold on, so why is the car a write off? Too much panel damage?

[Dr freedom]

Hold on, so why is the car a write off? Too much panel damage?

So the car has rolled about 40-50m down a hill..

.. pure genius

[getjet]

Anyone got a mk5 2.0 TDI Golf for sale?.....

This needs some loving, but will be cheap